Early life and marriages According to the account of
John of Ephesus, Ino came from Daphnudium, possibly the island of
Daphnousia off the coast of
Bithynia in the
Black Sea. She was first married to the
optio Ioannes, a low-ranking
executive officer of the
Byzantine army. They had a daughter who was betrothed to Tiberius. Her husband and daughter both died prior to the conclusion of the marriage contract, and Ino herself married Tiberius instead.
East Roman historians such as
Evagrius Scholasticus and
Menander Protector mention Tiberius as gaining power alongside
Sophia, wife of Justin. As a
regent, Sophia recommended Tiberius in the position of
caesar. At this point Ino emerged as
Caesarissa, the second-ranking lady in the Empire. The
Ecclesiastic History of John of Ephesus and the chronicle of
Theophanes the Confessor both record that Sophia considered planning to marry Tiberius herself. The original
Ino was a daughter of
Cadmus and
Harmonia, identified with the
goddess Leucothea. According to
John of Ephesus, Ino received the name Anastasia (and officially
Aelia Anastasia), suggested by the
Blue chariot racing faction. Their rivals the
Greens had suggested the name Helena. Anastasia was not the only
Augusta. Sophia also retained her rank and continued to hold a section of the palace to herself. Anastasia's religious affiliation is unknown. According to John of Ephesus, she was hostile to the
Monophysites, but her actual belief is unknown.
Mother-in-law On 14 August 582, Tiberius died. He was succeeded by
Maurice, a general betrothed to Constantina. The marriage of Constantina and Maurice took place in autumn 582. Constantina was also proclaimed an
Augusta while both Sophia and Anastasia kept the same title. John of Ephesus mentions all three Augustas residing in the Great Palace. Theophanes records the death of Anastasia in the year 593. She was buried in the
Church of the Holy Apostles, alongside her husband. ==References==