Family Anna was born to Emperor
Leo VI and his mistress
Zoe Zaoutzaina, who was the daughter of
Stylianos Zaoutzes, a high-ranking bureaucrat of Armenian origin. Her father had a complicated romantic life, and did not marry her mother until after Empress
Theophano's death in 897. Her mother died in 899.
Augusta According to
Eastern Orthodox Canon Law, Anna's father was forbidden from marrying for a third time, so in 899, Anna was given the title of
Augusta, an honor usually bestowed upon the wife of the emperor. The title carried with it great honor and respect, the Augusta would accompany the emperor to official ceremonies, and her presence was required to celebrate the
liturgical holidays. In 900 however, Anna was married to her betrothed,
Louis the Blind,
King of Provence, partly in an effort to strengthen diplomatic ties with the West. ==Marriage and Issue==