Irene is a Neoclassical tragedy written between 1726 and 1749 by Samuel Johnson. Johnson's main source for the story of Irene was Richard Knolles's 'Generall Historie of the Turkes' (1603). In Knolles's work, the Sultan Mahomet conquers Constantinople in 1453 and captures a Greek Christian named Irene. He decides to take her as his mistress, and while pursuing her romantically he ignores his duties as a monarch. Soon, the kingdom is falling apart from neglect and the subjects begin to riot, so Mahomet kills Irene to prove his dedication to his people (as depicted here).