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Analysis Of Flavius Petrus Sabbatius ( Justinian )

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Theodora was born around the year 497 A.D., into a poor family. Her father, Acacius, was a bear keeper at the Hippodrome in Constantinople. She lived as a beggar for several years. During her younger years, she was a clown in the circus and eventually she became an actor in plays, which led her to a very immoral lifestyle. She later recognized the evil of her lifestyle and decided to turn her life around, by converting to Christianity and moving to Constantinople, away from her former career to a new career, wool spinning.
Flavius Petrus Sabbatius (Justinian) was born on May 11, 483 A.D., to parents of a peasant background. He was sent to Constantinople by his Uncle Justin to receive a proper education. From a young age, he was known as …show more content…

Since, during some of the lowest points in her life, she had been taken in by Monophysite Christians, Theodora knew that it was her duty as ruler to protect these Christians in every way possible. She had Justinian put an end to their persecution, he agreed to this request after she convinced him that their persecution caused much unrest in his empire, and no matter how much they were persecuted they still kept their beliefs. She protected Monophysites who fled to Constantinople. Theodora founded many monasteries, churches, orphanages, hospitals, and shelters for the old, poor, and handicapped, because she had a heart for the less fortunate. Through the laws the empress helped make, we can see how she attempted to create peace and order within the empire.
Theodora had a major influence on many of the reforms of her husband. Clearly being a feminist, she was one of the first rulers to recognize the rights of women and to end legal concubinage. She helped pass laws to stop the trafficking of young girls. Theodora altered divorce laws so that women had more rights and property ownership, and she allowed it for mothers to have a greater governing role over their children. She disallowed the killing of adulterous wives and she made rape punishable with the death penalty. It can be said that she was so sympathetic towards women of humble birth

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