Epiphaneia was Justinian II's daughter from his first marriage, to Eudokia. Justinian felt the newborn was responsible for Eudokia's death at childbirth, and ignored his daughter for her entire childhood. Upon his return from exile, Justinian asked his mother if Epiphaneia, who he reckoned at being roughly seventeen, was wed yet or still alive; he had promised Tervel Bulgar khan her hand in marriage in exchange for his support of Justinian's cause. Finding out she had taken her vows at a monastery, Justinian made Tervel caesar of the Roman Empire.