The Empress Theodora

by Michelle Munro

Theodora, the prostitute who married into the Byzantine Empire, was born in 500 AD either in Crete or Syria. (Historians disagree on the exact location.) Her father, Acacius, worked for the political Green party as a bear trainer at the Hippodrome in Constantinople. The Hippodrome was a huge stadium where spectators could enjoy chariot races, plays, or a circus. At the age of four, Acacius died leaving his wife and three daughters destitute. Theodora’s mother remarried with the hope that her new husband could take over a trainer, however, because of a bribe, the position had been given to someone else. Fortunately, Theodora’s stepfather would eventually become the bear trainer for the rival Blue party.

When she was older, Theodora’s mother put her beautiful daughter on the stage. She started out as a mime and later worked as an actress. In those days, “actress” meant the same as “prostitute.” Theodora loved the stage and found no shame in any role she performed. She would take on scandalous roles and was popular for nude entertainment on-stage and wild parties off.

At the age of sixteen, she traveled as a companion to a government official named Hecebolas. Though mistreated daily, she stayed with Hecebolas until he abandoned her four years later. She was left with no choice but to return to Constantinople.

During her trip home, she made a stop in Alexandria, Egypt. Here she was introduced to Monophysitism, a form of Christianity where followers believed that Jesus Christ was wholly divine, not both human and divine as Orthodox Christians believed. She renounced her former lifestyle, becoming a devout follower for the rest of her life.

Theodora returned to Constantinople in 522. She settled in a house near the Emperor’s palace and took up wool spinning which was considered a virtuous occupation. Here, at the age of twenty, she caught the eye of Justinian, a government official and the nephew/adopted son of the Byzantine Emperor Justin.

Though roughly twenty years her senior, Justinian fell deeply in love with the witty and intelligent woman. Theodora also became enamored with her suitor. Justinian wished to have her as his bride; however, an old Roman law barred officials from marrying actresses. Determined, he convinced his father to pass a new law stating that a truly repentant actress would be freed form all former sins and returned to unspoiled condition. Thus, the two were wed in 525 AD.

On April 1, 527, Justin, his health failing, crowned Justinian co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. In August of the same year, Justin passed away leaving Justinian and Theodora in full control.

Justinian had great admiration for his wife. Unlike other rulers, he allowed his Empress to share his throne and take an active role in the decisions he made. She ruled by his side, as his partner.

Any doubts to her ability were put to rest during the Nika revolt. The Blues and the Greens started a riot at the Hippodrome, setting public buildings ablaze and proclaiming a new emperor. Unable to control the large crowd, Justinian and his officials prepared to flee. Theodora refused to follow. She gave an uplifting speech convincing them it was better to die while showing courage than to run and live as a coward. It was this speech that convinced Justinian to stay and quite possibly saved the Empire. Justinian’s troops mounted their attack, sealing off all entrances to the Hippodrome. They would emerge victorious, having killed over 30,000 rioters.

With peace restored, the couple began to transform Constantinople into a city that would be known for centuries as one of the most astonishing in the world. They built aqueducts, bridges, and over twenty-five churches, the most significant being the Hagia Sophia or “Church of Holy Wisdom.”

Theodora, a pioneer of women’s liberation, began passing laws that would elevate the status of women in the Byzantine Empire high above that of women in the Middle East and Europe. She made forced prostitution illegal, built homes for prostitutes, granted women more rights in divorces, instituted the death penalty for rape, and allowed women to own and inherit property. She also provided shelter to Monophysite leaders facing opposition from the majority Orthodox Christians even though her husband belonged to this group.

Though living at the height of wealth, Theodora was considered a friend of the poor. An inscription in the church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus proclaims her the “God-crowned Theodora whose mind is adorned with piety and whose constant toil lies in unsparing efforts to nourish the destitute.” She is one of the few women in early history that is depicted equal to men in mosaics.

The great Empress died quietly from cancer on June 28, 548. She is buried in the Church of the Holy Apostle. Justinian’s considerable decrease in the activity following the loss of wife proved just how important she had been to the Empire.

Michelle Munro is an aspiring writer. She enjoys reading, writing, basketball, and outdoor activities, as well as spending time with her husband and two children.

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