Piroska of Hungary
| Irene of Hungary | |
|---|---|
Mosaic portrait of Empress Irene on the Comnenos mosaic in the Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (now Istanbul)
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| Empress consort of the Byzantine Empire | |
| Tenure | 1104 – 15 August 1118 (alongside Anna Komnene) |
| Empress consort of the Byzantine Empire | |
| Reign | 15 August 1118 – 13 August 1134 |
| Born | 1088 Esztergom |
| Died | 13 August 1134 (aged 46) |
| Spouse | John II Komnenos |
| Issue |
Alexios Komnenos Maria Komnene Andronikos Komnenos, Sebastokrator Anna Komnene Isaac Komnenos Theodora Komnene Eudokia Komnene Manuel I Komnenos, Byzantine Emperor |
| House | House of Árpád |
| Father | Ladislaus I of Hungary |
| Mother | Adelaide of Swabia |
Saint Irene of Hungary, born Piroska, (1088 – 13 August 1134) was a Byzantine empress.
She was a daughter of Ladislaus I of Hungary and Adelaide of Swabia. Her maternal grandparents were Rudolf of Rheinfeld and his second wife Adelheid of Savoy. Adelheid was a daughter of Otto of Savoy and Adelaide of Turin. She was the mother of the future emperor Manuel I Komnenos.
She was born in Esztergom. Her mother died in 1090 when Piroska was about two years old. Her father died on 29 July 1095. Ladislaus was succeeded by his nephew Coloman of Hungary who apparently was the new guardian of orphaned Piroska.
In an effort to improve relations with Alexios I Komnenos of the Byzantine Empire, Coloman negotiated the marriage of Piroska to John II Komnenos. John II was the eldest son of Alexios I and Irene Doukaina. He was already co-ruler of his father since 1 September 1092 and was expected to succeed him. The negotiations were successful and Piroska married John in 1104. The marriage was recorded by Joannes Zonaras and John Kinnamos.
Following her conversion to the Eastern Orthodox Church and settlement in Constantinople, Piroska was renamed Irene. She and John had eight children. The primary source about their order of births is the chronicle of Niketas Choniates:
Irene played little part in government, devoting herself to piety and her many children. Irene died on 13 August 1134 and was later venerated as Saint Irene.
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