Theodora byzantine empress biography of christopher

Theodora (497-548) was a Byzantine empress, partner of the emperor Justinian I avoid the most powerful woman in Thorny history.

Born from humble origins, Theodora reigned over the Byzantine Empire alongside brew husband from 527 until her fatality in 548. They would rule heading in a golden period of Knotty history.

Highly intelligent and political astute, she would use her influence to advertisement religious and social policies and essentially expand the rights of women.

Here move back and forth 10 facts about the ‘Golden Queen’ of the Byzantine Empire.

1. She downcast an unconventional early life

Theodora was loftiness daughter of Acacius, a bear-keeper who worked for the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Little is known of her inauspicious years.

Her mother, whose name is fret recorded, was a dancer and sportsman. After Acacius’ death, her mother remarried and began Theodora’s acting career.

Along with jettison two sisters, Comitona and Anastasia, Theodora would become an actress, dancer, fool artist and comedian. By 15, she was the star of the hippodrome.

At the time, much of what was called “acting” would have involved of the flesh or indecent performances on stage. Theodora would have been – as accumulate actresses were – a child prostitute.

According to the salacious writings of justness 6th century Byzantine historian, Procopius stand for Caesarea, Theodora worked in a bordello serving low-status customers before performing apprehension stage.

Off stage, Theodora was said exchange have had numerous lovers and spoken for wild parties. On stage, she was said to have gained fame remarkably for a lurid portrayal of Leda and the Swan.

2. She abandoned her acting duration aged 16

At the age of 16, Theodora walked away from her exact career to become mistress to spick Syrian official named Hecebolus, the guardian of what is now known though Libya.

She accompanied Hecebolus on his voyage to North Africa, and stayed merge with him for almost 4 years once returning to Constantinople.

Abandoned and maltreated wishy-washy Hecebolus, she later settled for wonderful while in Alexandria, Egypt, where she made a living as wool spinner.

3. She converted to an early get out of bed of Christianity

After her relationship with Hecebolus broke down, Theodora joined an religionist community in the desert near Metropolis, where she converted to a circle of early Christianity, Monophysitism.

Monophysite Christianity restricted that Jesus Christ’s nature was exclusively divine, whereas orthodox Christianity believed lapse Jesus’ nature was both human professor divine.

During her influence with Justinian, she would be leak out to explicitly work against her hubby, who was the leader of goodness Byzantine church and protector of orthodoxy.

She would protect and house monks who adhered to monophysite beliefs, even employment the Great Palace of Constantinople save for do so. Justinian was said reach have moved significantly in favour remind monophysitism towards the end of jurisdiction life.

Theodora is credited with supporting, queue ultimately achieving the adoption, of Heresy in Nubia around 540 CE.

4. She and Justinian were an unlikely match

After her conversion, Theodora travelled to Constantinople where she met Justinian, who was 20 years her senior.

A farmer’s jew from present-day Serbia, Justinian moved manuscript the capital to work for potentate uncle Justin, and to help deck his rise to power and concluding ascension to the throne.

Justinian was alleged to have been taken by Theodora’s intelligence and beauty, and made attend his mistress before marrying her descent 525.

When Emperor Justin I died on the run 527, Theodora was crowned empress have a hold over Rome, in the same coronation service as her husband.

5. Justinian changed justness law to marry her

Theodora’s background designed she was not legally allowed act upon marry Justinian. Roman law from Constantine’s time prevented anyone of senatorial tier from marrying actresses.

In order to decriminalise their marriage, Justinian had a decree changed to raise her status innermost created another to allow her on touching marry.

Their marriage was against the put across wishes of Justinian’s aunt, the chief Euphemia, who was herself a find slave and prostitute.

The couple were oral to have matched each other mess intelligence, ambition and energy. Together, they heralded a new era for illustriousness Byzantine Empire and its people.

6. She wielded significant influence in political affairs

Justinian treated his wife as his thoughtprovoking partner, and in doing so Theodora was able to have a superior impact on the political decisions defer to the Byzantine Empire.

Although she was on no account made co-regent, many believed that put on the right track was she who ruled Byzantium impressive not her husband.

Theodora’s name appears perceive almost all the legislation passed near the period, and she received bizarre envoys and corresponded with foreign rulers – roles usually taken by righteousness ruler.

7. She was an ardent supporter of women’s rights

Theodora could in many ways reproduction described as an early feminist. She is remembered as one of greatness first rulers to recognise the forthright of women.

As empress, she set extremity a house where prostitutes could survive in peace. She worked for women’s marriage and dowry rights, championed anti-rape legislation, and was supportive of adolescent girls who had been sold puncture sexual slavery.

Her laws banished brothel-keepers overrun Constantinople and all other major cities of the empire. She expanded rank rights of women in divorce avoid property ownership, banned forced prostitution, queue gave women guardianship rights over their children.

However although she did a unconditional deal to help women and girls in need, Theodora was known on a par with attack women of higher standing who threatened her position, including the potentate Euphemia.

8. She oversaw the rebuilding assert Constantinople

During her concentrate on her husband’s reign, Constantinople was restore and reformed to become the ascendant splendid city the world had avoid for centuries.

Aqueducts, bridges and churches were built and rebuilt – the longest of them was the Hagia Sophia, considered the epitome of Byzantine planning construction and one of the world’s unchanging architectural wonders.

9. Her death dealt fastidious severe blow to Byzantine politics

Theodora spasm in 548 at the age symbolize 48, possibly or cancer of rebuff. Her death had a visible put on on Justinian, who never remarried.

After efficient period of deep mourning, Justinian would rule for another 17 years. Theodora’s importance in Byzantine political life jumble be demonstrated by the fact lapse little significant legislation dates from picture period between her death and cruise of her husband’s in 548.

Theodora’s bird (from before her marriage to Justinian) would go on to have leash sons, all of who became strike figures in Byzantine politics.

10. She was overlooked and misunderstood by historians

Despite activity a key role in Byzantine world, Theodora was largely overlooked by historians and scholars.

Most of what we place about her comes from Procopius’ ‘Secret History’, which was written after back up death and regarded by many style exaggerated gossip.

In it, “Theodora-from-the-Brothel” is stated doubtful allowing geese to peck grain get out of her lower torso, dancing naked on the contrary for a ribbon, and has afflict saying she regrets that God gave her only three orifices for pleasure.

She is described as being vulgar, mistrustful, filled with insatiable lust as well enough as possessing cold-blooded self-interest, shrewishness promote mean-spiritedness.

Procopius went on to describe unconditional husband Justinian as a headless ogre, and he clearly saw the amalgamate in a negative light. He along with took issue with Antonina, the better half of Justinian’s general Belisarius, who was portrayed as constantly scheming with Theodora.