The time has come for the world to know Irene People have enjoyed and followed popular historical females Queen Marie Antoinette and Cleopatra. However, Irene, who dared to declare herself "King," is even more powerful, fascinating and at times shocking than the French Queen and Egyptian pharaoh. "Irene: King and Autocrat" captures a life filled with love, power, political maneuvering, and betrayal at a time when global trade was rushing through the Byzantine empire strategically located between Europe and Asia. Irene of Athens was a charming young queen when the sudden death of her husband resulted in her becoming regent for her son. By all accounts, she proved herself to be an astute ruler who brought unity and prosperity to her realm. She was also a good mother to the Crown Prince. When he came of age, she organized a beauty pageant at the palace so that he may select his bride. Yet, she went down in history as an usurper who sacrificed her only son in order to return to power. Was her son to blame for putting love above duty? Did Irene force her son off the throne to avert civil war or because she wanted to rule an empire? Upon returning to the throne, she declared herself "Vasileus and Autocrat" meaning an Absolute Ruler- a title that no other woman assumed either before nor after her. "Irene: King and Autocrat" is written by Byzantine authority and author Gabriella Kara-Kolias and based on historical facts.