Theophano Martinakia (; 866/67 – 10 November 897) was a Byzantine empress by marriage to Leo VI the Wise. She is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Family
Born in , she was a daughter of Constantine Martinakios and Anna. Her family, the Martinakioi, were related to the Amorian dynasty, which ruled the Byzantine Empire from 820 to 867. A prophecy circulated at the time predicted that the family of Martinakios would come to rule the Byzantine Empire. In reaction Theophilos forced his kinsman Martinakes to become a monk and convert his personal house into a monastery.
Empress
The chronicle of Symeon Metaphrastes places the marriage of Leo VI and Theophano in the sixteenth year of the reign of Basil I, that is, between September 882 and September 883. The marriage was arranged by Basil I and forced on Leo VI. The poor relation of father and son may have played a part in the eventual failure of this marriage. Basil died on 29 August 886. Leo succeeded him to the throne and Theophano became his empress.
Symeon records Leo falling in love with Zoe Zaoutzaina in the third year of his reign (c. 889). Zoe became his mistress and replaced Theophano in his affections.
