Her intelligence and political acumen made her Justinian's most trusted adviser and enabled her to use the power and influence to promote religious and social policies.
The Byzantine Empire.
Justinian and his wife, empress Theodora.
As the wife of the emperor of the Byzantine Empire Justinian I (or the Great), Theodora was a Byzantine empress and lived in the capital of the empire, Constantinople
Her intelligence and political acumen made her Justinian's most trusted adviser and enabled her to use the power and influence to promote religious and social policies.
Her intelligence and political acumen made her Justinian's most trusted adviser and enabled her to use the power and influence to promote religious and social policies.
Justinian I.
Empress Theodora's full name was Theodora Anastasia. She was born around 500 AD and became the wife of Emperor Justinian I, ruling alongside him from 527 to 548 AD. Theodora is renowned for her intelligence, political acumen, and significant influence in the Byzantine Empire.
The portraits of Justinian and Theodora are prominently displayed in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. These mosaics, created in the 6th century, depict the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and his wife, Empress Theodora, surrounded by courtiers and religious figures. The artwork serves as a significant representation of their roles in the Byzantine Empire and the Church.
Theodora is credited with co-ruling (and possibly saving) the empire as Justinian's empress. As she died before him, there is no way to know if she would have succeeded him as ruler of the Byzantine Empire.
As Justinian's most trusted adviser, Theodora played a crucial role in shaping the Byzantine Empire's policies and reforms. She was instrumental in promoting women's rights, advocating for laws that improved their status and protections. Additionally, Theodora's political acumen and influence helped stabilize Justinian's rule, particularly during times of crisis, such as the Nika Riots. Her partnership with Justinian exemplified a powerful collaboration that left a lasting impact on Byzantine governance.
Justinian
Theodora died Justinian was distraught. Justinian and Theodora were very close. Theodora was a close adviser and the two of them collaborated on many things. Theodora had saved Justinian's rule by arguing for refusing to flee during a riot. However they differed on matters of religion. Justinian supported mainstream Orthodox Christianity, while she supported a dissident doctrine. This created conflict on these matters and Justinian often obstructed Theodora. However, her influence was so strong that when she died, Justinian worked on reconciling the two doctrines and kept his promise to protect the monastery Theodora built as a refuge for the dissident Christians.