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
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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
Theodora and the essential role that she played in the development of the Byzantine Empire
Theodora was the Empress of the Byzantine Empire from 527, when she was crowned, until her death in 548. Procopius was the appointed historian to record what was happening in the Empire, but mostly to focus on Theodora and Justinian. The Secret History was written by Procopius, but not published in the West until about a millennium after it was written. As it was ‘a venomous pamphlet of dubious merit’, The Secret History is hardly a reliable historical source. It criticises Justinian and Theodora for all of their actions as Emperor and Empress, as well as create a story, possibly based on nothing, about the origins of Theodora. While Procopius is considered a significant historian for the sixth century, it is notable that his treatment of Theodora is biased in an unfavourable way. Procopius adopts a perceptibly hostile attitude toward Theodora. Much of this bias against Theodora can be explained by Procopius’ view of women in power and gender roles.
This was the beginning of Justinian’s famous rule, which lasted from 527 A.D. through 565 A.D. (The Reign of Justinian). The reign of
Later, he was able to extend the city to a greater length, with the help of his wife, Theodora, who he married in 525, and she was the one to encourage him to remain in Constantinople, and annihilate the rebellion that threatened his power in 532, as those riots were occurring, rather than to just flee away from
Justinian repaired the legal system and called it Justinian code. Like old Roman Empire women, slaves, and lower class-men had now say with the legal system. Only upper class males could assist in reviving the law's. Justinian and ten men set laws for their people to live honesty and not harm others (Document 7 and 9). This helped unify the Eastern and Western. territories (Document 1).
At its simplest, the purpose Justinian had in mind was to put together the laws in the Byzantine Empire. It was a mammoth task, as you might well dream. In doing this, the laws were accoutred in writing, putting out ancient laws that had been out of date their works that were kept hidden all these years, and laws were interacted that dealt with situations that were good at the time or could be told in the future as needed for future people. The Justinian Code was important as it made easier and broken down a lot of years of living Roman laws and Justinian's own laws and into one system.In four parts, made up the code, and these were the Codex Constitution, Digest, institutions and the novella constitutions Post
Furthermore, Justinian and Theodora's rule reinforces the political aspect and appeal of religion for Byzantine emperors. Theodora was a fervent monophysite christian and Justian himself was a strong supporter of the Chalcedon council. Yet, the way with which it seems that they simply 'agreed to disagree' actually had quite some positive political consequences; the extent to which these were planned is of course debatable. Indeed, Justinian had military ambitions in the Eastern empire and in North Africa where large patches of monophysites remained therefore this situation where Theodora secretly supported monophysites and he did not accept them without at the same time openly persecuting them was quite suitable. The support of monophysites was
Rome was a very large and powerful city by the first BC but the reign of Augustus transformed it into an imperial city. In 31 BCE, Augustus became the supreme commander of the Roman Republic. During the Augustan Revolution, art and architecture pushed a political agenda. Art portraying Augustus remains common throughout his reign. The art and architecture helped reinforce Augustus’ political message that he was the restorer of Rome.
Garland, Lynda. "Theodora, Wife of Justinian." In Byzantine Empressses: Women and Power in Byzantinum, AD 527-1204. London: Routledge, 1999. 11-39. Accessed September 30, 2014. ProQuest ebrary.
Throughout history women have often played a significant role. Although women haven’t usually been a position of power, they have nonetheless often contributed in significant ways. Two women who impacted their societies were Empress Theodora-of the Byzantine empire-and Queen Elizabeth I-of England. Empress Theodora-of the Byzantine Empire-impacted her Empire in many ways. Some of the ways she impacted her Empire was by delivering a powerful speech, by promoting women's rights, helping Justinian recover things after the Nika Revolt.
Considering no primary record survives of her life pre-Empress Mallet suggests that one must examine the facts and the evidence when deciding Theodora’s character and not conclude an opinion based off
The Byzantine Empire, though often forgotten among better-known empires, such as the Roman Empire, ran for nearly one thousand years, occupying the eastern half of what once was the Roman Empire. It engaged in trade, expansion, and decades of warfare. It also gave women a better status then men, valued and preserved Greek history, and eventually fell to the Ottomans.
On page 107 paragraph 1 and 2 under Influencing Legal And Social Reform and paragraph 1 under Raising The Status Of Women it states that Theodora fought for the right for high ranking men to marry women of lower classes, fought to raise the status of women, stopped Justinian and his advisors from fleeing, adding new aqueducts, bridges, hostels , and numerous churches. If Theodora wasn’t as determined, all this stuff wouldn’t have happened. This is an example of determination because Theodora didn’t give up right away when she couldn’t do something. If this was an ordinary woman, she would’ve gave up right away. Instead of giving up, Theodora just kept on trying.
byzatine women were very important because of what their rights were. divorces were rare and very difficult to get. Women were not encouraged to lead independent lifes which upset me because women should live however they want to and shouldn't be told what they can and can't do. Women were forced to stay home and take care of the family. women did all the work while mengot to get their education. women owe a huge thanks to theodora because she let some byantine women become well educated and let them get involved with politics.
the formation of early Christendom. Born in Caesarea around 260c.e., he was mentored by Pamphilus,