Theodosia, wife of Leo V

Theodosia (c. 775 – after 826) was the Empress consort of Leo V the Armenian. Theodosia was the daughter of Arsaber, a Byzantine patrician. The name and rank of her father were recorded by both Genesius and Theophanes Continuatus, the continuer to the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor. The name of her mother is unknown.

Arsaber led a failed revolt against Nikephoros I in 808. According to George Finlay: "In the year 808, however, a conspiracy was really formed to place Arsaber a patrician, who held the office of questor, or minister of legislation, on the throne. Though Arsaber was of an Armenian family, many persons of rank were leagued with him; yet Nicephorys only confiscated his estates, and compelled him to embrace the monastic life.

The name of her father indicates Armenian origins. However the names of his ancestors are not known. Genealogical theories suggest Kamsarakan ancestry.

Theodosia married Leo V the Armenian. Leo was a strategos under Nikephoros I. His support for the Emperor against the revolt of Bardanes Tourkos was decisive for the victory of the former. Leo managed to rise to the throne upon the abdication of Michael I Rangabe in 813.

Theodosia is the only wife of Leo mentioned by primary sources. However an interpretation of the text of Theophanes Continuatus has Leo marrying a daughter of Bardanes Tourkos. An interpretation which would make Leo a brother-in-law of Thekla, first wife of Michael II. Warren Treadgold for example uses this theory in The Byzantine Revival 780–842 (1988).

Genesius records that Prokopia, wife of Michael I, referred to her successor Empress as "Barca". Treatgold has suggested this was the actual name of a first wife of Leo, which would mean Theodosia married Leo once he was already emperor. However the word is also the Greek word for "boat", suggesting it was only a derisive nickname for Theodosia.

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