Empress Theodora Research Paper

Justinian, moved by this, opted to stay and fight along with his wife. 20,000 were killed, either by the rioters or by Justinian’s own army. It was brutal, but it resolved all disorder and allowed him to take back the city. If Justinian hadn’t made this decision, Istanbul would not be like it is today, if it existed at all. Justinian went on to succeed at rebuilding the city at a grand scale building the previously mentioned Hagia Sofia and throwing countless amounts of money into public works, His leadership allowed Constantinople to

Women of Ancient Greece, by Sue Blundell, explores how women were portrayed and how they lived their live between 750 and 336 B.C.E. Blundell breaks Women in Ancient Greece into two main categories: portrayals of women in myths, and portrayals of non-mythological women that lived in the Archaic and Classical Ages. Part I explores how Greek mythological women are portrayed in hymns, poems and narratives from great Greek poets such as Homer, Hesiod and Sappho. Part II discusses Greek women during the social and political changes that occurred in the Archaic Age between 750-500 B.C.E. Part III expands on social and political changes that occur between 500-336 B.C.E. Part IV explores the laws and ideologies that make Greek women seem subordinate to men. Women in Ancient Greece depicts how women were viewed in Ancient Greece, generally through the eyes of men. Blundell argues that Greek women in poems, literature and paintings were portrayed as unpredictable and inferior to men.

The birth of an eastern circus woman attracted no attention at all in mid-millennium year 500. No one could ever imagine that this baby would grow up to be one of the most remarkable women in history of the World. She was the daughter of the bear keeper, a public performer,wife of Justinian, Empress of the Byzantine Empire and a natural beauty whose name became the one name in the voluminous annals of the Byzantine empire known to almost everyone; Theodora. Once the former show girl settled down to respectable married life, she touched every branch of life in the Empire. She had her finger on everything including military campaigns, architectural developments, and government policy and law reforms.

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.

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

Justinian was crowned co-emperor April 1, 527. Theodora, a former prostitute who was born from a lowly family, had been declared Theodora Augusta. Procopius expressed disgust that no one from the senate, none of the priests, and none of the public expressed outrage8. A few months later, the emperor had died, leaving Justinian the sole emperor and Theodora his associate in power. Justinian refers to her as “Our most reverend partner granted Us by God” and when governors took their oath of allegiance, they were required to take their oath to both of them9. Justinian made Theodora the official co-emperor and they ruled their empire together.

Justinian, also known as “the sleepless emperor” by his subjects, was one of the most influential of the early Byzantine emperors. The reign of Justinian was a prodigiously paramount period. It marked the final cessation of the Roman Empire; the establishment of the incipient, Byzantine empire; the commencement of Western Europe's unique position within the civilizations of the Old World; and made possible the spread of Islam and the rise of the Franks. He ruled along side his strong-willed wife, and

While her husband Justinian I was an orthodox Christian, Theodora remained a monophysite Christian. She was considered Justinian’s most trusted advisor. She

Empress Theodora and Elizabeth the I Throughout history women have played a significant role. Their role was to only work in the house and clean and take care of their children. Although women haven’t had a lot of power they helped in some ways. The two women who impacted their life was Empress Theodora and Queen Elizabeth

In this capacity, Theodora was emphasized as a saint to eradicate iconoclastic actions of his husband, his military failings and focus attention away from the anxiety of the declining kingdom. By ending the second iconoclasm, Theodora becomes a symbol of hope, a restorer of the icon and to the old ways of the powerful Byzantine

He named his wife Theodora his empress. She was 15 years younger than him and his opposite in every way. She was social, charming,self-confident, and never lost her head in a crisis. He adored his wife and she was his most important adviser.

Prostitute, temptress, harlot: such degrading and demeaning images are most often used to represent the infamous Byzantine Empress, Theodora, wife of Justinian I. In both popular media and, most importantly, academic work, the Empress Theodora has been debased and vilified as a demanding succubus, using sex and corporal pleasure to wield influence over Byzantine policy. Though it not uncommon to encounter prominent females sexualized or cast into the outdated archetypes of evil temptress or holy virgin, it is unlikely that one will discover the accomplishments and contributions of such women in common historical records. Thus, the true character, nature, and influences of the Empress Theodora, hidden by historians and ignored for decades, must be uncovered and examined, so as to aptly measure the Byzantine leader’s place and importance in the history of the medieval world.

For example the First Ladies of our country have changed the educational system. They dont have the power to change laws but they can influence the president and people who make the laws. Empress Theodora Promoted freedom and equality for women. She would ask her husband to change the laws. Queen Elizabeth didn’t want to marry or she will be beheaded.

Theodora was Justinian’s wife when he was ruling. She helped him make decisions and gave him laws to pass. One thing Theodora strived for was equal rights for woman. Another thing she fought for was the punishment for adultery to be raised to death since it was such a big deal. A final thing she did was encourage her husband after the Nika riots when the Hagia Sophia was burned down and had to be rebuilt. A negative thing about Theodora was that she caused political corruption in the empire. The main way that she caused political corruption in the empire was by telling her husband Justinian what laws to make and what to do which gave her the power to get her way even if it wasn't what was best for the

Kaylynn McGuire December 2, 2014 Dr. Elaine Phillips World Literature 1:00-2:25 Research Paper The Odyssey: What were the roles of women and how did they differ from Ancient Greece to Ancient Rome? In an amazingly well written epic poem such as The Odyssey, a tale of a male hero, how can one describe the life as short-coming in details as the life of women? Homer, in writing both The Iliad and The Odyssey, hinted at the lifestyle bore to women.