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Apr 11, 2024 · Theodora (born c. 497 ce —died June 28, 548, Constantinople [now Istanbul, Turkey]) was a Byzantine empress, wife of the emperor Justinian I (reigned 527–565), probably the most powerful woman in Byzantine history.
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Apr 11, 2024 · Theodora was a Byzantine empress who reigned jointly with her sister Zoe in 1042 and on her own in 1055–56. The third daughter of the emperor Constantine VIII, Theodora possessed a strong and austere character and refused the hand of the heir presumptive, Romanus, who was married instead to her.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
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What role did Theodora play in Byzantine politics?
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Who was Theodora and what did he do?
- She Led An Unconventional Early Life
- She Abandoned Her Acting Career Aged 16
- She Converted to An Early Form of Christianity
- She and Justinian Were An Unlikely Match
- Justinian Changed The Law to Marry Her
- She Wielded Significant Influence in Political Affairs
- She Was An Ardent Supporter of Women’s Rights
- She Oversaw The Rebuilding of Constantinople
- Her Death Dealt A Severe Blow to Byzantine Politics
- She Was Overlooked and Misunderstood by Historians
Theodora was the daughter of Acacius, a bear-keeper who worked for the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Little is known of her early years. Her mother, whose name is not recorded, was a dancer and actress. After Acacius’ death, her mother remarried and began Theodora’s acting career. Along with her two sisters, Comitona and Anastasia, Theodora would b...
At the age of 16, Theodora walked away from her acting career to become mistress to a Syrian official named Hecebolus, the governor of what is now known as Libya. She accompanied Hecebolus on his travels to North Africa, and stayed with him for almost 4 years before returning to Constantinople. Abandoned and maltreated by Hecebolus, she later settl...
After her relationship with Hecebolus broke down, Theodora joined an ascetic community in the desert near Alexandria, where she converted to a branch of early Christianity, Monophysitism. Monophysite Christianity held that Jesus Christ’s nature was purely divine, whereas orthodox Christianity believed that Jesus’ nature was both human and divine. D...
After her conversion, Theodora travelled to Constantinople where she met Justinian, who was 20 years her senior. A farmer’s son from present-day Serbia, Justinian moved to the capital to work for his uncle Justin, and to help in his rise to power and eventual ascension to the throne. Justinian was said to have been taken by Theodora’s intelligence ...
Theodora’s background meant she was not legally allowed to marry Justinian. Roman law from Constantine’s time prevented anyone of senatorial rank from marrying actresses. In order to legalise their marriage, Justinian had a law changed to raise her status and created another to allow her to marry. Their marriage was against the express wishes of Ju...
Justinian treated his wife as his intellectual partner, and in doing so Theodora was able to have a major impact on the political decisions of theByzantine Empire. Although she was never made co-regent, many believed that it was she who ruled Byzantium and not her husband. Theodora’s name appears in almost all the legislation passed during the peri...
Theodora could in many ways be described as an early feminist. She is remembered as one of the first rulers to recognise the rights of women. As empress, she set up a house where prostitutes could live in peace. She worked for women’s marriage and dowry rights, championed anti-rape legislation, and was supportive of young girls who had been sold in...
During her and her husband’s reign, Constantinople was rebuilt and reformed to become the most splendid city the world had seen for centuries. Aqueducts, bridges and churches were built and rebuilt – the greatest of them was the Hagia Sophia, considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders.
Theodora died in 548 at the age of 48, possibly or cancer of gangrene. Her death had a visible impact on Justinian, who never remarried. After a period of deep mourning, Justinian would rule for another 17 years. Theodora’s importance in Byzantine political life can be demonstrated by the fact that little significant legislation dates from the peri...
Despite playing a key role in Byzantine history, Theodora was largely overlooked by historians and scholars. Most of what we know about her comes from Procopius’ ‘Secret History’, which was written after her death and regarded by many as exaggerated gossip. In it, “Theodora-from-the-Brothel” is described allowing geese to peck grain from her lower ...
Nov 26, 2014 · Her father was said to be a bear trainer in the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, whilst her mother was said to have been an actress and a dancer. Procopius proceeds to say that Theodora used to work as a prostitute in a low status brothel and performed on the stage in Constantinople.
- Dhwty
Apr 3, 2018 · The Nika Revolt. Theodora's active role in Byzantine politics and the staunch support she gave her husband are best revealed by the incident of the Nika Revolt of 11-19 January 532 CE. This was an infamous riot caused by factions of the supporters in the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
- Mark Cartwright
Jun 27, 2018 · When Theodora died of cancer on June 28, 548, her body was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles, one of the splendid churches she and Justinian had built in Constantinople. Her death was a great loss to Justinian.
Jun 14, 2021 · Empress Theodora played an influential role in quelling the Nika Revolt of 532 CE which sparked off at the Hippodrome of Constantinople | Image: Site of the Hippodrome of Constantinople in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople)
