Early life of Empress Theodora

• Born 497
• Acasius, her father was a bear keeper for the hippodrome in Constantinople, which she helped with as a mime and later an actress
• Known for her daing entertainment acts but actresses were considered prostitutes
• At 16 she traveled to Northern Africa for 4 years which an official as a companion.
• On her way back to Constantinople she stopped in Alexandria where she picked up Monophysitism (belief that Jesus was wholly divine not both human and divine.)
• Converted to Monophysitism (A non-orthodox doctrine) and later became a woolspinner
• Justinian made her his mistress for her beauty and intelligence.

The Legacy/Achievements of Empress Theodora

• Justinian appealed an old Roman law to allow Theodora and him to get marry And shares the throne with her equally
• One of the most significant events during her rule was the Nika revolt.
• 2 rival political groups started to revolt at the Hippodrome and set public buildings up in flames and claimed to be the new rulers.
• Justinian and officials weren't able to get through the crowd so Theodora spoke up and gave a speech about the significance of the life of some one who died a ruler over someone who died and lived as nothing.
• This motivated Justinian and others to attack the Hippodrome, killing 30,000 rebels.
• For the rest of her life, Justinian and her transformed Constantinople into the most wonderful city known for many centuries.
• They built aqueducts, bridges, and 25 plus churches.
• For women Theodora may well be considered a noble pioneer of women liberation.
• She helped pass the laws to help prostitutes, women wanting divorce, created a death penalty for Rape, and allowed women to have property.

Byzantinium Empire

• The Codex, a book containing 4,652 laws from Hadrian till Justinian was released in 534.
• When Justinian and Theodora came to power, the empire was engaged in a struggle with the East against Persia.
• Peace was soon agreed in 532 with the new Persian leader (who later broke the peace treaty in 540)
• The eastern Frontier was a distraction but actually inspired Justinian to recover the Roman Empire in the west from the Barbarians.
• With the help of Belisarius he had considerable success.
• In 533 Belisarius defeats Vandals, captures the king and takes North Africa's Coast for the taking.
• In 535 Belisarius along with his fleets, set sail to Sicily and soon recapture it and take Naples and Rome the following year.
• For 4 years the Ostrograths held them in Ravenna till 540 he claims it for Constantinople.
• A few years later Italy is under the control of the ostrograths, aside from Ravenna, Ancona, and Otranto, but Narses soon over throws them and takes it again for Constantinople