Search results
Apr 11, 2024 · What did Theodora die of? 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.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Who were Theodora’s parents?Little is known of Theodora’s early life, but some sources say her father was named Acacius and was a bear keeper at the Hippodrome in Constantinople.
- What is Theodora remembered for?Theodora, a 6th-century Byzantine empress married to Emperor Justinian I, is remembered for being one of the most powerful women in Byzantine histo...
- What were Theodora’s beliefs?Theodora believed in miaphysitism, which holds that both divinity and humanity are equally present within a single nature in the person of Christ,...
- What did Theodora die of?Theodora likely died from cancer.
- Early Life
- The Nika Revolt
- Attitude to The Church
- Political Intrigues
- Death
Theodora was born in c. 497 CE, the daughter of a bear-keeper called Akakios who worked for the Hippodrome of Constantinople. The 6th-century CE Byzantine historian Procopius of Caesarea states in his Secret History (Anekdota) that Theodora earned her living, like her mother before her, as an actress, which meant performing in the Hippodrome as an ...
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. The real causes for complaint were Justinian's tax hikes (to pay for his incessant...
Theodora's religious policies seem to have been entirely her own, they were certainly not those of her husband, the leader of the Byzantine church and protector of orthodoxy. The Empress favoured Monophysitism, that is the belief that Jesus Christ had only one, divine nature (physis), which went against the orthodox view that he had two natures - o...
Theodora's political manoeuvres are blamed for the downfall of the chief minister John of Cappadocia, although he was none too popular with the Byzantine people either because he was seen as the instigator of the oppressive tax reforms which had caused the Nika Revolt. Procopius, too, paints the finance minister as a paradigm of corruption and deba...
Theodora died in 548 CE, aged just 51 or 52, probably of cancer. Justinian had no heir but, perhaps significantly, he never remarried. Theodora's daughter from before her marriage to Justinian had three sons and all of these became prominent figures in the Byzantine court. Justinian, after a period a deep mourning, would rule for another 17 years b...
- Mark Cartwright
People also ask
How long did Theodora reign in the Byzantine Empire?
What role did Theodora play in Byzantine politics?
What happened to Constantinople in 1453?
How did the fall of Constantinople affect the Ottoman Empire?
In Theodora's day, the main issue pitting Constantinople against Alexandria had to do with Christ's nature. As the orthodox forces in Constantinople understood Jesus, he was both God and Man. In Alexandria, however, there were many ecclesiastics (and many, many more everyday Christians) who believed that Jesus had but one nature, and that a ...
Fall of Constantinople, (May 29, 1453), conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire. The dwindling Byzantine Empire came to an end when the Ottomans breached Constantinople’s ancient land wall after besieging the city for 55 days.
Apr 11, 2024 · In 1042 the popular movement that caused the dethronement of Michael V also led to Theodora’s installment as joint empress with her sister. After two months of active participation in government she allowed herself to be virtually superseded by Zoe’s new husband, Constantine IX.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Dec 15, 2020 · by Ray Setterfield. January 13, 532 AD — One of history’s most remarkable women issued a call to action on this day. Her resolute determination not only prevented a defeat of the Romans in a critical conflict, but also saved the career and probably the life of her faltering husband – the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
The fall of Constantinople, also known as the conquest of Constantinople, was the capture of the capital of the Byzantine Empire by the Ottoman Empire. The city was captured on 29 May 1453 as part of the culmination of a 53-day siege which had begun on 6 April.
