How did Theodora spend her early years before she met Justinian?

Answer 1

Theodora was of humble origins. Her father was the trainer of one of the factions which competed in the chariot races. He died when she was a child. In her early years Theodora was an actress. Serious comedy and were the preserve of men. Female actors performed in plays which involved indecent exhibitions. They also provided sexual favour off stage. At the age of 16 went to Cyrenaica (in Eastern Libya) and stayed there for four years because she was the companion of Hecebolus who was appointed governor there. She was abandoned by Hecebolus on the way back to Constantinople. She spent some time at Alexandria of Egypt, where she was said to have converted to the Miaphysite Christian doctrine. She then went to Antioch (in Syria) and then returned to Constantinople. There she become a wool spinner in a palce near the imperial palace.