What did Justinian and theodora do together?

Answer 1

Theodora was Justinian's closest and most trusted adviser. They effectively ruled together in all matters except for measures to protect and improve the condition of women (which Theodora undertook on her own, with Justinian's support) and religious matters, where the consorts differed.

Theodora's courage saved Justinian's reign during the Nika riots in Constantinople in which many public buildings and some churches were set on fire, and a new emperor was proclaimed. Justinian and his officials prepared to flee. Theodora spoke out against this saying that it was better to die an emperor fighting to retain the throne than to run away and live as an exile. She convinced Justinian and the officials, Justinian ordered his loyal troops to attack the demonstrators in the hippodrome. According to Procopius over 30,000 rebels were killed.

Theodora participated in Justinian's legal and spiritual reforms. She became a champion of women's rights by banning forced prostitution, closing brothels, creating a convent which was a refuge for ex-prostitutes, instituting the death penalty for rape, improving the property rights of women and their rights in divorce, giving women the right of guardianship over their children and forbidding the killing of adulterous wives.

Theodora disagreed with her husband on religious matters. Whilst he supported mainstream Christianity, she supported the Miaphysite dissident doctrine. She founded a monastery which was a shelter for the leaders of this sect who were excommunicated or exiled. She outmanoeuvred her husband and had a Miaphysite enthroned as the Patriarch of Alexandria and Coptic Pope (Justinian had him exiled later. Theodora was accused of supporting heresy and thus undermined the unity of Christianity.