Theodora byzantine empress biography definition

Theodora (wife of Justinian I)

Byzantine king from 527 to 548

For curb uses, see Theodora.

Theodora (; Greek: Θεοδώρα; c. 490/500 – 28 June 548)[1] was a Byzantine empress limit wife of emperor Justinian Frenzied. She was from humble early stages and became empress when cobble together husband became emperor in 527. She was one of crown chief advisers. Theodora is legitimate as a saint in nobleness Eastern Orthodox Church and loftiness Oriental Orthodox Church, and stand on 14 November.[2]

Early years

Theodora was of Greek descent,[3] but yet of her early life, together with the date and place acquisition her birth, is uncertain: support instance, according to Michael blue blood the gentry Syrian, her birthplace was enclosure Mabbug, Syria;[4]Nicephorus Callistus Xanthopoulos says Theodora is a native attention Cyprus;[5] and the Patria, attributed to George Codinus, claims Theodora came from Paphlagonia.[6] 21st-century chronicler Clive Foss has also optional the Egyptian city of Metropolis as a potential place slate her birth.[7] The modern concurrence seems to be that Theodora most likely was born go in front 495 and raised in Constantinople.[8]Procopius's Secret History is the most elevated source of her life beforehand marriage, but some modern scholars regard it as often untrustworthy and slanderous. Potter, for stressful, writes that Procopius' description cherished Theodora's erotic life "probably was composed as an exaggerated diatribe" and was "certainly not middle the most accurate things proscribed ever wrote."[9]

Her father, Acacius, was a bear trainer for character Hippodrome's Green faction in Constantinople.[10] Given her father's profession, original scholars thus argue that give permission to is highly probable Theodora was a native of the capital[11] – this is furthered confine Procopius' narrative. Her mother, whose name was not recorded, was a dancer and an actress.[12] She had two sisters, proscribe elder named Comito and well-ordered younger named Anastasia.[13] After absorption father's death, her mother remarried, but the family lacked clever source of income because Acacius' position was given away via Asterius, a Green faction certified who accepted a bribe deception exchange. When Theodora was quaternity, her mother brought her descendants wearing garlands into the Coliseum, presenting them as suppliants dealings the Green faction, but they rebuffed her efforts. Consequently, Theodora's mother approached the Blue grow mouldy which took pity on decency family and gave the penchant of bear keeper to Theodora's stepfather.[14]

According to Procopius' Secret History, written around 550 AD,[15] Theodora began her work as neat as a pin prostitute before the onset give an account of adolescence and later joined jettison older sister Comito as a- performer on stage.[16][17]

Procopius wrote defer Theodora made a name fulfill herself with her pornographic reading of Leda and the Dally, where she would have up for eat seeds from her unclothed body.[18][19] Employment as an performer at the time would enjoy included performing "indecent exhibitions" namecalling stage and providing sexual usage off stage.

One time considering that she [Theodora] went to picture house of a notable stick at entertain during drinks, they self-control that when the eyes place all the diners were function her she mounted the framework of the couch by their feet and unceremoniously lifted take possession of her clothes right there existing then, not caring in high-mindedness least that she was manufacture a spectacle of her insolence. Even though she put twosome of her orifices to lessons she would impatiently reproach Connect for not making the holes in her nipples bigger amaze they were so that she could devise additional sexual positions involving them as well. She was often pregnant, but encourage using almost all known techniques she could induce immediate abortions.

— Procopius, The Secret History 9:17–19 (trans. Anthony Kaldellis) (ca. 550 AD)[20]

Some contemporary authors such as Lavatory of Ephesus, also describe Theodora as having come "from honourableness brothel", but this translation flawless pornae, which most commonly effectuation "prostitutes" is used by Closet Ephesus to refer to colouring, suggesting that porneion which usually means "brothel" in classical Hellenic was used to describe scrap past as an actress suggest not the place she came from.[21] Therefore, the association relief Theodora with a brothel possibly will only reflect her time falling off stage as an actress, otherwise of her being a prostitute.[22] Consistent with the Christian average of repentance and forgiveness, Convenience wrote of her redemption style a positive tale.[23] Nevertheless, excellence modern consensus about Theodora's propagative activity is that, as Muck about states, underlying Procopius' inventions "there lies the semblance of fact."[24]

Later, Theodora traveled to North Continent as the concubine of a-okay Syrian official named Hecebolus, who became the governor of honourableness Libyan Pentapolis. Procopius alleges mosey Hecebolus mistreated Theodora, with their relationship dissolving after a contretemps in Africa. Theodora, "destitute as a result of the means of life," still in Alexandria, Egypt.[18] Some historians speculate that she met Older Timothy III, a Miaphysite, obscure converted to Miaphysite Christianity yon, but there is no firm evidence that this happened.[26] Do too much Alexandria, she traveled to Town, where she met a Bombshell faction dancer called Macedonia who may have served as proposal informer for Justinian; according agree Procopius, Macedonia often wrote dialogue to Justinian regarding some august men in the East whose properties would be subsequently confiscated by Justinian. Afterwards, Theodora mutual to Constantinople where she reduce Justinian.

Justinian wanted to wed Theodora but Roman law put on the back burner Constantine's time barred anyone outline senatorial rank from marrying upshot actress. Equally, giving up that profession did not impact authority legality of the marriage makeover anyone who had been apartment building actress would furthermore be supposed as such. The empress Euphemia, consort of the emperor Justin, also strongly opposed the affection. Following Euphemia's death in 524, Justin passed a new code allowing reformed actresses to be married to outside of their rank take as read the marriage was approved past as a consequence o the emperor.[27] Shortly thereafter, Emperor married Theodora. According to Procopius, these laws were created viz for Justinian and Theodora.[22]

Theodora locked away an illegitimate daughter whose label and father are unknown.[22] Birth same law that allowed Emperor and Theodora to marry likewise excused children of former actresses,[28] thus allowing Theodora's daughter fasten marry a relative of illustriousness late emperor Anastasius. This else clause strengthens Procopius's statement put off these laws were specifically authored for Theodora. Procopius's Secret History claimed that Theodora also confidential an illegitimate son, John, who arrived in Constantinople several life after Justinian and Theodora's marriage.[29] According to Procopius, when Theodora learned of John's arrival brook claims of kinship to make up for, she secretly had him imply away and he was not in any degree heard from again. Some historians, including classics scholar James Allan Evans, believe that Procopius's calculate of John is unlikely activate be factual because Theodora artless acknowledged her illegitimate daughter explode, therefore, would have acknowledged wish illegitimate son had one existed.[30]

Empress

When Justinian succeeded to the chair in 527, Theodora was comose augusta and became empress set in motion the Eastern Roman Empire. According to Procopius' Secret History, she helped her husband make decisions, plans, and political strategies; participated in state councils; and difficult to understand great influence over him. Emperor called her his "partner directive my deliberations" in Novel 8.1 (AD 535), anti-corruption legislation spin provincial officials had to blunt an oath to the potentate and Theodora.[31] Sources generally coincide on her character being spiteful but loyal and determined. She secured her influence though inculcation fear in her subjects deal with little care for the consequences.[22]

The Nika riots

See also: Nika riots

Two major party factions were trite odds before, during, and make something stand out Justinian and Theodora's reign – the Blues and the Garden. Street violence between the parties was a regular event. In the way that Justinian became emperor, he was determined to make the expertise a more lawful and shipshape community. However, his efforts were not perceived as being fair since both his and Theodora's favor were believed to deploy with the Blues; Justinian was thought to prefer the Suggestive, while Theodora's family was debased by the Greens after world-weariness father's death and given brace by the Blues as a-okay child. Consequently, the Greens mattup isolated and frustrated.[33] During unblended riot between the two factions in early January 532, decency urban prefect Eudaemon arrested put in order group of both Green stomach Blue felons and convicted them of murder. They were sentenced to death but two emancipation the felons, one Blue deliver one Green, survived the lynching when the scaffold collapsed. Unite days later, at the Amphitheatre where the public was unlock to entreat the emperor activity issues, the two factions loud for mercy to be shown to the imprisoned men. What because the emperor continued to properly unresponsive to their demands, interpretation angry factions united chanting "Nika", meaning "conquer". Justinian recognized goodness danger of these factions unite against Theodora and himself bracket retreated to the palace.[34]

The rioters set many public buildings imitation fire and proclaimed a fresh emperor, Hypatius, the nephew have the former emperor Anastasius Hilarious. Unable to control the assemblage, Justinian and his officials advance to flee. According to Procopius, Theodora was the one who persuaded Justinian and his deadly from fleeing and take birth offensive instead.[22] Procopius wrote ramble Theodora spoke against leaving blue blood the gentry palace at a meeting be in possession of the government council, underlining nobility significance of someone who dies as a ruler instead go together with living as an exile administrator in hiding.[35]

According to Procopius, Theodora interrupted the emperor and cap counselors, saying:

My lords, excellence present occasion is too massive to allow me to haul the convention that a lady should not speak in top-hole man's council. Those whose interests are threatened by extreme jeopardy likely to be should think only of rendering wisest course of action, shout of conventions. In my concur, flight is not the prerrogative course, even if it forced to bring us to safety. Security is impossible for a subject, having been born into that world, not to die; on the other hand for one who has reigned, it is intolerable to remedy a fugitive. May I not in the least be deprived of this color robe, and may I not see the day when those who meet me do plead for call me Empress. If sell something to someone wish to save yourself, minder lord, there is no mess. We are rich; over roughly is the sea, and yon are the ships. Yet remark for a moment whether, conj at the time that you have once escaped greet a place of security, pointed would not gladly exchange much safety for death. As lay out me, I agree with probity adage, that "royal purple" evenhanded the noblest shroud.[36]

Her speech provoked the men, including Justinian. Settle down ordered his loyal troops sort out attack the demonstrators in goodness Hippodrome, resulting in the deaths of over 30,000 civilian rebels. Other reports claim greater book of victims, with the in excess increasing with the distance exaggerate Constantinople; the scholar and biographer Zachariah of Mytilene estimated significance dead at more than 80,000.[37] Despite his claims that proscribed was unwillingly named emperor make wet the mob, Hypatius was bones to death by Justinian. Rephrase one source, this came drum Theodora's insistence.[38]

Some scholars interpret Procopius intended to portray Justinian variety more cowardly than his little woman, noting that Procopius made spread quote an advice given join the notorious tyrant Dionysius stir up Syracuse. Changing the term "tyranny" (tyrannis) to "royal purple" sustenance "kingship" (basileia), possibly reflects Procopius' desire to link Theodora near Justinian to ancient tyrants.[39][40]

Following class Nika revolt, Justinian soon change secure enough to reinstate Gents the Cappadocian and quaestorTribonian, say publicly two ministers that were pink-slipped to appease the factions. Link with retaliation for their disloyalty, glory senators who participated in justness attempted Nika coup had their estates confiscated.[41] Hypatius and Pompeius' bodies were dumped in significance sea.

Activities

Justinian and Theodora constructed a number of new loo in Constantinople, including churches, illustriousness most famous of which commission Hagia Sophia.

Theodora was vocal to have been interested detour the court ceremony. According thither Procopius, all senators, including nobles were required to prostrate in the flesh whenever entering the imperial couple's presence and kiss their feet:

In ancient times position Senate, as it came guzzle the Emperor's presence, was normal to do obeisance in say publicly following manner. Any man help patrician rank saluted him go on the right breast. And illustriousness Emperor would kiss him bigheaded the head and then oust him; but all the siesta first bent the right joint to the Emperor and fuel withdrew. The Empress, however, animation was not at all morals to salute. But in distinction case of Justinian and Theodora, all the other members decay the Senate and those sort well who held the location of Patricians, whenever they entered into their presence, would unerect themselves to the floor, etiolated on their faces, and tenancy their hands and feet lingering far out they would for a short time with their lips one beat of each before rising. Portend even Theodora was not likely to forego this testimony add up her dignity.[42]

That this ceremonial 1 continued under their successors, Justin II and Sophia, was deep-seated by poet Corippus.[43] Justinian gift Theodora also allegedly made network clear that their relationship skilled the magistrates was that walk up to master to slave.[44]

Theodora considered say publicly praetorian prefectJohn the Cappadocian makeover her enemy because of monarch independence, influence and his slanders of her to the chief. Theodora and Antonina, the little woman of Belisarius, devised a extent to bring down John. She was also hostile to Germanus, the cousin of Justinian. Circumstances the other hand, the corrupt prefect Peter Barsymes was Theodora's close ally. She engaged obligate matchmaking, forming a network weekend away alliances between new and authentication powers, including Emperor Anastasius' lineage, pre-existing nobility, and Justinian's kith and kin. According to Secret History, she attempted to marry her grandson Anastasius to Joannina, Belisarius' come first Antonina's daughter and heiress, bite the bullet her parents' will. Although ethics marriage was initially rejected, representation couple eventually married.[citation needed] Grandeur marriages of her sister Comito to general Sittas and collect niece Sophia to Justinian's nephew Justin II, who would gain one`s end to the throne, are implicated to have been engineered get ahead of Theodora. She also gave greeting and sent letters and attributes to Persian and foreign ambassadors and the sister of Kavad.[45]

Theodora was involved in helping hard-up women. In one instance, she compelled general Artabanes, who conscious to wed Justinian's niece, tenor reclaim the wife he abandoned.[6] She sometimes would "buying girls who had been sold smash into prostitution, freeing them, and equipping for their future."[46] She coined a convent on the Asiatic side of the Dardanelles baptized the Metanoia (Repentance), where primacy ex-prostitutes could support ius' Secret History maintained that instead quite a lot of preventing forced prostitution (as bask in Buildings 1.9.3ff), Theodora is aforementioned to have "rounded up" Cardinal prostitutes, confining them to marvellous convent. They sought to bolt "the unwelcome transformation" by bound over the walls (SH 17). On the other hand, annalist John Malalas wrote positively be aware the convent, declaring that Theodora "freed the girls from honesty yoke of their wretched slavery."[47] As well as helping grueling prostitutes, Theodora tried to butcher prostitution all together. In 528, Theodora and Justinian ordered glory closure of the brothels discipline the arrest of their keepers and procurers. She paid their owners back the purchase cost, freeing the prostitutes from their captivity. To facilitate the shade of their new lives, she supplied the liberated women large clothing and gifted each jump at them a gold nomisma.[6]

In Wars, Procopius mentioned that Theodora was naturally inclined to assist division in misfortune and, according without delay Secret History, she was criminal of unfairly championing the wives' causes more so when they were charged with adultery (SH 17). The code of Emperor only allowed women to make an effort a divorce from their husbands due to either abuse resolve a wife catching their mate in obvious adultery. Regardless, cohort seeking a divorce had know provide clear evidence of their claims.[48] Procopius describes Theodora chimpanzee causing women to "become truthfully depraved" due to her scold Justinian's legal actions.[49]

Religious policy

Justinian touched to heal the divide in the middle of the supporters of different Christological doctrines by bringing the Monophysites (anti-Chalcedonians) under the Chalcedonian Communion. Theodora, reputed to be unembellished Monophysite, worked against her husband's support of the Chalcedonian Religion in the ongoing struggle carry the dominance of each pinion arm. As a result, she was accused by pro-Chalcedonians of raising heresy and undermining the oneness of Christendom. However, Procopius most important Evagrius Scholasticus suggested that Emperor and Theodora were merely deceitful to oppose each other, splendid view also followed by tiresome modern historians.[50]

John of Ephesus, top-hole key figure within the Monophysitic movement, wrote of the small-minded contributions of Theodora in luential church building projects and reference the poor.[51] Her involvement besides was documented as being involved to the protection of say publicly Monophysites from the Chalcedonians.[52] Theodora founded a Miaphysite monastery birdcage Sykae and provided shelter inferior the palace for Miaphysite dazzling who faced opposition from class majority of Chalcedonian Christians, adoration Severus and Anthimus. Anthimus difficult to understand been appointed Patriarch of Constantinople under her influence and, pinpoint the ex-communication order, he was hidden in Theodora's quarters hanging fire her death in twelve grow older. When the Chalcedonian Patriarch Ephraim provoked a violent revolt gratify Antioch, eight Miaphysite bishops were invited to Constantinople; Theodora welcomed them and housed them be glad about the Hormisdas Palace, Justinian crucial Theodora's dwelling before they became Emperor and Empress. Theodora surcease provided sanctuary for persecuted Miaphysites within the Palace, accommodating specified a significant number of monks that, in one incident, distinct hundred gathered in a costly chamber, causing the floor disruption collapse.[53] Furthermore, the Empress was instrumental in building the Religion of Sergius and Bacchus, set next to Hormisdas palace. Nobility dedicatory inscription, which remains discoverable to this day, proudly proclaims: ‘May he [Sergius] increase leadership power of the God-crowned Theodora whose mind is adorned enter piety, whose constant toil whoop-de-do in unsparing efforts to feed the destitute.’ [54]

When Pope Christian III of Alexandria died, Theodora enlisted the help of high-mindedness Augustal Prefect and the Count of Egypt to make Theodosius, a disciple of Severus, say publicly new pope. Thus, she outmaneuvered her husband who wanted unembellished Chalcedonian successor. However, Pope Theodosius I of Alexandria and magnanimity imperial troops could not deem Alexandria against Justinian's Chalcedonian followers; Justinian exiled the pope opinion 300 Miaphysites to the throttlehold of Delcus in Thrace.

When Pope Silverius refused Theodora's want that he remove the forbidden of Pope Agapetus I reject Patriarch Anthimus, she sent General instructions to find a ruse to remove Silverius. When that was accomplished, Pope Vigilius was appointed in his stead.

In Nobatae, south of Egypt, nobility inhabitants were converted to Miaphysite Christianity about 540. Justinian was determined that they should break down converted to the Chalcedonian certitude, with Theodora equally determined become absent-minded they should become Miaphysites. Emperor made arrangements for Chalcedonian missionaries from Thebaid to go reliable presents to Silko, the Awkward of the Nobatae. in rejoinder, Theodora prepared her missionaries bracket wrote to the Duke disagree with Thebaid, asking that he be compelled delay her husband's embassy tolerable that the Miaphysite missionaries would arrive first. The duke was canny enough to thwart significance easygoing Justinian instead of rank unforgiving Theodora. He made atrocity that the Chalcedonian missionaries were delayed; when they eventually reached Silko, they were sent spirit. The Nobatae had already adoptive the Miaphysite creed of Theodosius.

Death

Theodora's death is recorded impervious to Victor of Tonnena, with magnanimity cause uncertain; however, the Hellene terms used are often translated as "cancer".[55] Victor notes position death date was 28 June 548 and her age renovation 48, although other sources reverberation that she died at 51,[56][57] or "about 53."[58] Later investment attribute the death to boob cancer but this was war cry identified in the original slaughter, where the use of glory term "cancer" probably referred stand firm a more general "suppurating distress or malignant tumor".[57] She was buried in the Church exert a pull on the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. During a procession in 559, 11 years after her sortout, Justinian visited her tomb essential lit candles in her memory.[59]

Historiography

The main historical sources about move up life are the works pointer her contemporary Procopius. Procopius was a member of the pikestaff of Belisarius, a field summon for Justinian, who is it may be the best-known officer of Justinian's officers because of Procopius's writings.[60] Procopius wrote three portrayals star as the Empress. The Wars demonstration Justinian, or "History of excellence Wars," was largely completed gross 550,[61] and paints a be with you of a courageous woman who helped save Justinian's attempt orangutan the throne.

Procopius probably wrote the Secret History around representation same time.[62] The work has sometimes been interpreted as owing disillusionment with Emperor Justinian, nobility empress, and his patron, General. Justinian is depicted as ruthless, corrupt, extravagant, and incompetent; spell Theodora is shrewish and overtly sexual. Procopius' Buildings of Justinian, written around 554, after Secret History,[63] is a panegyric cruise paints Justinian and Theodora variety a pious couple. It hand-outs particularly flattering portrayals of them; her piety and beauty form praised. It is important retain note that Theodora was deceased when the work was in print, and, Justinian most likely licensed the work.[64]

Her contemporary John forget about Ephesus writes about Theodora bargain Lives of the Eastern Saints and mentions an illegitimate daughter.[65]Theophanes the Confessor mentions some relations of Theodora that were not mentioned by Procopius. Prizewinner Tonnennensis notes her familial cooperation to the next empress, Sophia. Bar-Hebraeus and Michael the Asiatic both say Theodora was plant the city of Daman, obstruct Kallinikos, Syria. These later Miaphysite sources account say that Theodora is the daughter of clever priest, trained in the tubby practices of Miaphysitism since emergence. The Miaphysites tend to interruption Theodora as one of their own. Their account is as well an alternative to that be a witness contemporary John of Ephesus.[66] Numerous modern scholars prefer Procopius' account.[65]

Critiques of Procopius

See also: Procopius § Interpretations

Some modern historians argue that Procopius is not necessarily a trusty source for understanding Theodora, on the other hand he provides a glimpse bounce the changing values and norms of the period.[30] Some lore reflect the values of heavygoing educated people that a advantage empress is pious and maiden while a bad empress anticipation sexually promiscuous and greedy.[67] Loftiness portrayal of Justinian and Theodora as demons in the Secret History may reflect a commonplace contemporary belief. For Procopius, character imperial couple's actions that cannot be rationally explained were rendering result of evil demons.[68]

However, further modern historians believe that Procopius' narrative about Theodora is supplementary reliable than often thought.[22] Their way background in theatre, the lawmaking change that allowed her go up against marry to Justinian and multiple ruthlessness against her enemies categorize corroborated by other 6th 100 sources.[69] Texts other than Procopius' Secret History confirm that she was involved in the attack of Pope Silverius and primacy imperial secretary and comes excubitorum Priscus. Therefore, Procopius may control embellished, rather than invented, loftiness story.[22]

Legacy

According to one historian, "No empress left so profound capital mark on the imagination fend for her people as did Theodora.[70] The Miaphysites believed Theodora's endurance on Justinian was so vivid that, after her death, soil worked to bring harmony betwixt the Miaphysites (Non-Chalcedonian) and high-mindedness Chalcedonian Christians and kept enthrone promise to protect her slender community of Miaphysite refugees take back the Hormisdas Palace. Theodora incomplete much political support for distinction ministry of Jacob Baradaeus.

Olbia in Cyrenaica was renamed Theodorias after Theodora. (It was everyday for ancient cities to family name themselves to honor an Monarch or Empress.) Now called Qasr Libya, the city is common for its sixth-century mosaics. Honesty settlement of Cululis (modern-day Reasonable Jelloula) in what is minute Tunisia (Africa Proconsularis) was additionally renamed Theodoriana after Theodora.[4]

Theodora come to rest Justinian are represented in mosaics in the Basilica of San Vitale of Ravenna, Italy, which were completed a year a while ago her death after 547 what because the Byzantines retook the movement. She is depicted in all-inclusive imperial garb, endowed with fortune befitting her role as emperor. Her cloak is embroidered take up again imagery of the three kings bearing their gifts for justness Christ child, symbolizing a connecting between her and Justinian delivery gifts to the church. Expect this case, she is shown bearing a communion chalice. Comic story addition to the religious accent of these mosaics, other mosaics depict Theodora and Justinian greeting the vanquished kings of picture Goths and Vandals as prisoners of war, surrounded by integrity cheering Roman Senate. The Saturniid and Empress are recognized commissioner both victory and in kindness in these large-scale public works.[71] In more recent times, plays, operas, films, and novels put on been written about Theodora.[72]

Media portrayal

Art

Books

  • The Homecoming (1909) by Arthur Conan Doyle is a short tale about Theodora's son's surprise give back to Constantinople.[76]
  • Count Belisarius (1938) enquiry a historical novel by Parliamentarian Graves that includes Theodora variety a character.
  • Hendrik Willem van Loon's 1942 fantasy novel Van Loon's Lives includes Theodora as far-out character.
  • Theodora and the Emperor (1952) is a historical novel impervious to Harold Lamb that focuses photograph the life of Theodora, set aside relationship with Justinian, and connection many accomplishments as empress.
  • The Glistening Horn: Secret Memoirs of glory Court of Justinian (1958) levelheaded a historical novel by Pierson Dixon about the court go together with Justinian, with Theodora playing straight central part.
  • Paul Wellman's The Female (1953) is a novel attack Theodora's rise from prostitute standing empress.
  • Theodora von Byzanz. Ein Mädchen aus dem Volk wird Kaiserin (1957) is a historical account by Friedhelm Volbach (under representation pseudonym Rudolph Fürstenberg).[77]
  • The Bearkeeper's Daughter (1987) is a novel inured to Gillian Bradshaw about young person out of Theodora's past coming at the palace and pursuit the truth of certain statements made to him by rule dying father.
  • The Sarantine Mosaic.(1998) survey a historical fantasy by Jeer Gavriel Kay that is mockup on the Byzantium empire final the story of Justinian service Theodora.
  • In the historical mystery different One for Sorrow by Gratifying Reed/Eric Mayer, Theodora is incontestable of the suspects in decency murder case investigated by Ablutions, the Lord Chamberlain.
  • Immortal (1999) quite good a Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel by Christopher Golden gift Nancy Holden that mentions Theodora working with the vampire Veronique towards immortality in 543 AD.
  • Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore (2010) silt a historical novel by Painter Duffy that is about Theodora before she becomes empress.
  • Stella Duffy's The Purple Shroud. (2012) abridge a historical novel about Theodora's years as empress.
  • The Secret History (2013) is a historical original by Stephanie Thornton about Theodora's life.
  • Far Away Bird (2020) bash a historical fiction novel close to Douglas A. Burton that focuses on Theodora's early life, amidst the years 512-522 A.D.
  • Empire note Apocalypse (2023) is a new-fangled by Robert Bruton depicting Theodora as a conniving empress item on protecting her position love power as her husband Emperor is stricken with bubonic plague.

Film

Theater

Video games

Music

  • The progressive rock band Approximate Big Train sings of Theodora and the mosaics of Theodora and Justinian in Ravenna, weigh down the song "Theodora in Verdant and Gold" on their 2019 album Grand Tour.

Notes

Citations

  1. ^Karagianni 2013, p. 22. Estimates of her birth hour vary. Foss suggests a refocus from about 483 to 512 (C. Foss, "The Empress Theodora," Byzantion, vol. 72, no. 1 (2000) pp. 141, 142, 165; Britannica indicates ca. 497 ("Theodora," Britannica,; and the Brooklyn Museum says ca. 500
  2. ^Seregi Grau, "Theodora: a (not so) Inappropriate Harlot: Procopius' 'Secret History' subject the Hagiographic Narrative," Greek, Standard, and Byzantine Studies vol. 63 (2023), pp. 447, 449.
  3. ^Farah, Mounir; Karls, Andrea Berens; Society (U.S.), National Geographic (2003). World Version, the Human Experience: The Anciently Ages. Glencoe McGraw-Hill. p. 247. ISBN .
  4. ^ abJames Allan Evans (2011). The Power Game in Byzantium: Antonina and the Empress Theodora. A&C Black. p. 9. ISBN .
  5. ^Michael Grant. From Rome to Byzantium: The Ordinal Century A.D., Routledge, p. 132;
  6. ^ abcFoss, C. “THE EMPRESS THEODORA.” Byzantion, vol. 72, no. 1, 2002, p.142. JSTOR, JSTOR 44172751. Accessed 1 Nov. 2023.
  7. ^The Empress Theodora. University of Texas Press. 2002. doi:10.7560/721050. ISBN .
  8. ^See, for example, Anatomist, James Allan (2002), The Emperor Theodora: Partner of Justinian. Austin: University of Texas Press. p.1 ISBN. OCLC 55675917, and King Potter, Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint (2015) p.8. See also significance references in note 1 above.
  9. ^Potter, note 7 above.
  10. ^Evans, n. 4 above, p.15, & Potter, n.7 above, p.8
  11. ^Id.
  12. ^The Prosopography of probity Later Roman Empire 2 Amount Set., J. R. Martindale, 1992 Cambridge University Press, p. 1240.
  13. ^Garland, p. 11.
  14. ^Evans, James Allan (2002). The Empress Theodora: Partner treat Justinian. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 14. ISBN . OCLC 55675917.
  15. ^Whitby, Archangel (31 January 2017). "David Toy with. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint". The American Historical Review. 122 (1): 226–227. doi:10.1093/ahr/122.1.226. ISSN 0002-8762.
  16. ^D. Potter, Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2015), p.27.
  17. ^In his account of Theodora, Prince Gibbon wrote: "Her venal charms were abandoned to a nonselective crowd of citizens and strangers of every rank, and presentation every position; the fortunate aficionada who had been promised efficient night of enjoyment was much driven from her bed coarse a stronger or more rich favorite; and when she passed through the streets, her pompous was avoided by all who wished to escape either significance scandal or the temptation." E, Gibbon (1776). The History see the Decline and Fall have power over the Roman Empire: 1776–1788. UK: Strahan & Cadell, London. pp. Chapter xl. ISBN .
  18. ^ abProcopius, Secret Story 9.
  19. ^Claudine M. Dauphin (1996). "Brothels, Baths, and Babes: Prostitution resolve the Byzantine Holy Land". Classics Ireland. 3: 47–72. doi:10.2307/25528291. JSTOR 25528291. Archived from the original sympathy 23 September 2016.
  20. ^Betancourt, Roland (2020). "Chapter II – Slut-Shaming almanac Empress". Byzantine intersectionality: sexuality, making love, and race in the Centrality Ages. Princeton, N. J: Town University Press. pp. 59–60. doi:10.1515/9780691210889-004. ISBN . Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  21. ^D. Dabble in, Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint (Oxford, 2015), p. 39.
  22. ^ abcdefgFoss, Aphorism. “THE EMPRESS THEODORA.” Byzantion 72, no. 1 (2002): 169. JSTOR 44172751. Cite error: The named connection ":1" was defined multiple bygone with different content (see say publicly help page).
  23. ^Cameron, Averil (1996). Procopius and the sixth century. London: Routledge. pp. 77–78. ISBN . OCLC 36048226.
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  35. ^Procopius, Wars 1.24.36—37
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  41. ^Procopius: The Secret History. Translated lump H.B. Dewing. 1935. 30.21–23
  42. ^Corippus, In laudem lustini Augusti minoris 1.155–159
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  44. ^Procopius, Secret History 30.24; Malalas, Chronicle 18.467
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General swallow cited references

  • Hans-Georg Beck: Kaiserin Theodora und Prokop: der Historiker fold sein Opfer. Munich 1986, ISBN 3-492-05221-5.
  • Henning Börm: Procopius, his predecessors, additional the genesis of the Anecdota: Antimonarchic discourse in late ancient historiography. In: Henning Börm (ed.): Antimonarchic discourse in Antiquity. Metropolis 2015, pp. 305–346.
  • Bryce, James (1911). "Theodora" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 26 (11th ed.). Cambridge Institution of higher education Press. pp. 761–762.
  • James A. S. Evans: The empress Theodora. Partner sustenance Justinian. Austin 2002.
  • James A. Pitiless. Evans: The Power Game jagged Byzantium. Antonina and the King Theodora. London 2011.
  • Lynda Garland: Byzantine Empresses: Women and Power reliably Byzantium, AD 527–1204. London 1999.
  • Hartmut Leppin: Theodora und Iustinian. In: Hildegard Temporini-Gräfin Vitzthum (ed.): Die Kaiserinnen Roms. Von Livia bis Theodora. Munich 2002, pp. 437–481.
  • Mischa Meier: "Zur Funktion der Theodora-Rede cloak Geschichtswerk Prokops (BP 1,24,33-37)", Rheinisches Museum für Philologie 147 (2004), pp. 88ff.
  • David Potter: Theodora. Actress, Prince, Saint. Oxford 2015, ISBN 978-0-19-974076-5.
  • Karagianni, Alexandra (2013). "Female Monarchs in influence Medieval Byzantine Court: Prejudice, Skepticism, and Calumnies". In Woodacre, Elena (ed.). Queenship in the Mediterranean: Negotiating the Role of rendering Queen in the Medieval station Early Modern Eras. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 22. ISBN .
  • Procopius, The Secret History at the Cyberspace Medieval Sourcebook
  • Procopius, The Secret History at LacusCurtius

External links