Theodora's Political Corruption

Justinian had a sincere wish to restore the glory of ancient Rome and improve the empire but the means to which he attempted to accomplish this were devastating to his people. With the increase in his

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.

The city-states of Ancient Greek provide examples of different types of government structures that, even

The Byzantine Emperor, Justinian I, was known for his accomplishment, such as improving the Roman law code. This changed the development of law.

The Byzantine Empire was originally known as the Eastern Roman Empire, after surviving the barbaric attacks on its land. Emperor Justinian protected this empire and was well known for conquering many places. In the Byzantine Empire, the Emperor is the supreme ruler, looked at as a god. He was the head of the army, the highest political authority and the supreme legislator and judge. However, according to Procipius in, The Secret History, Justinian destroyed the greatness and history of Rome. Justinian was described as being “crafty, hypocritical, secretive by temperament, two-faced, and purely evil”.

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.

The Greeks created first democracy in the world. People voted for their leaders, and were involved in public life. Greeks philosopher provided the origin of western philosophy, medicine, and natural sciences. Greek architecture is evident in every court in the U.S. Greeks invented drama. Drama is the form of tragedy and comedy. Minoan culture around (2000 B.C.E. - 1400 B.C.E.) was earliest civilization in the Aegean region emerged on the large island of Crete. By 2800 B.C.E., to make weapons they used metals, especially bronze. Minoan had many trade networks. The peasant paid high taxes. Mycenaean culture around (1600 B.C.E- 1100 B.C.E.) was highly militaristic society. The king collected taxes and controlled bronze and wooden production. The

Greco-Roman mythology is rich in names, characters, and events. Dozens of gods, goddesses, and mortal women and men participate in a variety of activities that reflect or exemplify behaviors and power relations in Greek and Roman societies. A wealth of literature was written about the relationships between mortals and immortals in Greco-Roman mythology. Much was written and said about the place humans occupy in the complex mythical hierarchies. However, the role and place of women remain the topic of the hot literary debate. In Greco-Roman mythology, the image of woman is always

Both Greek Democracy and the Roman Republic contributed greatly to the development of the modern world, bringing into it the notions of democracy and republic. The evolution of these concepts took them to a level much higher than one present in Ancient Greece and Rome respectively. However, modern society continues to draw on somewhat idealized accounts of the ancient world for inspiration in improving today’s governing procedures.

In Aristotle's Politics, he focuses much on the regimes of an oligarchy and of a democracy. Democracies exists when the free and poor, being a majority, have authority to rule, and have an equal share in the city. Oligarchies exists when the few wealthy and better born have authority and grant benefits in proportion to a person's wealth (1280a:10-30;1290a:5-10).

Throughout the play Othello mentions his service to the city multiple times, however his actions lead to the belief that he is part of a corrupt political system. When talking to Rodrigo about Othello looking him over for the promotion, Iago says “Preferment goes by letter and affection,/ And not by old gradation” (I.i.38-39). Iago claims that Othello promoted Cassio because he liked Cassio better than Iago, not because he was a better soldier. He eludes to a corrupt system where Othello is a fraudulent politician and is part of an unethical political machine, where members get preferential treatment. Furthering his evidence of a corrupt political system within Venice, Iago explains that the man who was promoted to lieutenant is “a great arithmetician,/One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,/ A fellow almost damned in a fair wife,/ That never set a squadron in the fields,/ Nor the division of a battle knows/

In “Othello” by William Shakespeare, Othello’s power is seen as the basis of the plot. Othello holds both military and social power. He is respected as a General and controls an army. Othello knows where he stands in society but, Lago resents his own position and is bitter about the fact that “We cannot all be masters” (1.1.43). On the other hand, Othello could be seen as being corrupted by his power.

William Shakespeare's Hamlet According to American novelist, John Irving, in his work The World According to Garp, is a life-redeeming work in which everybody dies. “Death is the pervading theme of the play.” (Sheys 2016) The play has many examples and imagery of corruption, disease, and decay.

Born 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom, William Shakespeare became one of the uttermost iconic poets, playwrights, and pre-eminent dramatists of his era, and also of all time, bringing great attention to the dramatic arts industry. His works consisted of umpteen comedies and tragedies written in a conventional style with intricate metaphors and rhetorical phrases. Furthermore, several of his characters and plots resemble genuine humans with their wide span of emotions and conflicts among one another. One of his more popular tragedies includes Hamlet. In his 14th to 15th century play, Hamlet, written in 1599 to 1601, the characters in and around the royal palace of Elsinore, Denmark, face ample conflicts, followed by different physical and mental methods of reacting and dealing with their inner and outer consciences. Early on in the play, Marcellus, an officer who first sees a ghost of Hamlet Sr. in the royal palace after his recent death, states “Something rotten in the state of Denmark,” (I, iv, 99) foreshadowing the expanding corruption within Elsinore, starting with selfish greed, evolving into manipulation of people, and resulting in unprincipled revenge.