Empress Theodor The Most Powerful Impress Of The Byzantine Empire

Empress Theodora was not an average woman in the Byzantine Empire, rather she was the most powerful empress of the Byzantine Empire. She met every requirement to be a great leader, but instead she ruled with her husband, Justinian. Theodora had beauty, intelligence, glamour, and was pleasing with intelligence that helped change the empire in many ways.

Theodora was empress of the Byzantine Empire. She was born in 497 CE in Constantinople, which is modern day Istanbul, Turkey. Theodora’s intelligence and political acuity made her the most powerful and influential empress in all of Byzantine history. Also known as the wife of  Justinian, Theodora was well trusted and her power and influence gave her the ability to promote social and religious

ideas in her favor. As she made decisions, her husband  listened to her advice dealing with political viewpoints. She had ideas such as expanding divorce rights and dealing with property ownership for women. Along with these, she also approached many other rights for all women and children.
Theodora’s childhood played a role in her later life.

Her father was the animal keeper who died when she was a young child. Her mother, who was in need of money, introduced Theodora to the field of entertainment as an actress, which later evolved into a life as a prostitute and mistress of Hecebolus. When Hecebolus was governor of African Pentapolis, Theodora made use of her many talents and gifts as she worked her way to Constantinople. Theodora had two sisters, Comitona and Anastasia. When Theodora was a child, she started work as a stage mime with her sisters before becoming an actress. By her teens, she was famous everywhere she went. At the age of fifteen, Theodora was a beautiful dancer and actress. She began as a comic actress in a burlesque theater and was recognized for her animal acts. She became popular on and off stage due to revealing her body to the public. During this era, an “actress” was also known as a “prostitute.” Along with this, she was also known for her amazing wool-spinning ability. Before meeting her husband, she was a mistress of a wealthy man whom became the father of her first unwanted

child.
Theodora became a monophysite who believed that Jesus was both human and divine. While working as an actress and wool-spinner, Theodora noticed the attention of her later husband, Justinian. Although Justinian was an orthodox Christian, Theodora remained a monophysite. She was known as protector of the members accused of heresy in the faction, who sometimes went against her husband's religion in the constant struggle for predominance at the edges of the empire.
Theodora was part of many historical events that shaped her into who she was.

Early Byzantine emperors has many treasures from ancient life, mainly between the fourth and sixth centuries. In 532 riots destroyed the city but it was reconstructed with amazing sculptures. Theodora and Justinian transformed Constantinople into a gorgeous city and referred to it as “The City.” It was the center of Christian civilization and included the greatest church. Its great dome was decorated with marble and mosaics to attract visitors for many years. At age eighteen, she ended her career and became a mistress. She later joined the ascetic community in Alexandria, experiencing religious views to branch Christianity. At age 21, She returned to the capital and met Justinian, who became the emperor after his father died. Theodora’s achievements in power consisted of attempting to stop pimps making their money off of prostitutes, making marriage and life safe for women, and setting up houses where they can thrive in peace. Theodora’s laws banned brothel-keepers in Constantinople and other major cities around the empire. Many of her life achievements are what made her widely known for having great

recognition.
Although her efforts to make life safe for all women, her story is complicated. It has been hinted that she was involved in poisoning, torturing, and forced marriages. While she did an abundance to help women in need, she had a lacking effort for women at a higher standing and attacked any who threatened her. Many questions have arose based on Theodora’s story. Was she helpful and reliable? Or did she actually have a dark side? She may have been accused for certain actions, but she was still recognized as powerful and influential.
Empress Theodora’s laws to protect women's rights included the death sentence for rape, protection of women who divorce, the right for women to inherit property ownership, keep dowery, protection against abusive husbands, and the right to teach Christianity. She gave freedom to many girls who were sold in prostitution or slavery and women’s rights in society were protected. Theodora was the first women of abortion. She also advocated the rights of women who committed adultery. Her achievements for women were not modern feminist actions, instead they became equal laws to that of men.
Many challenges arise when a female is in power. Theodora lived in an era of churches, language, and statehood. She foresaw the future of the Empire in the Middle East in an era of women's rights. She achieved legislation that prohibited rape and consisted of changes in divorce laws. Justinian and Theodora shared the throne because of her quality of being a true sovereign. Theodora proved that she was a real statesman. The two factions of her empire, Blues and Greens, postponed their rivalry and went against the government. Many public buildings were set on fire and the next day the people were demanding for a new empire. Justinian fled and Theodora took over. She proved herself to be a great statesman and was well respected.Despite her being overlooked, she was openly the new decision maker and enjoyed the glory of the throne. Her amazing work ethic and influence made her the most powerful ruler of her time.
Justinian used the “carrot and stick” approach to overcome Monophysitism while Theodora spread their cause in secret and to the open. Their convictions were part of the efforts to make religous secure for Monophysitism. Theodora was motivated by her belief that empire strength was in the Middle East. Monophysitism was strong in the eastern areas. In order to strengthen the empire, they had to face their enemy, but it would help the dream of reuniting the Roman Empires.
Theodora was widely known during a great political crisis where she displayed courage. She took a leading part in many policies and parts of the Byzantine government. Her outstanding passion for helping women made her an important icon of today’s history. Her many achievements helped generate many laws to benefit the lives of women and girls.
I chose empress Theodora because of her power. During a time of women’s rights, she did not give up for what she believed in. Her beauty and intelligence helped her achieve great success during a difficult era. Since she was the most powerful epress in Byzantine, she has inspired me to follow my dreams in life. She proved that women can have power over men and that women should be nothing less than men. Her laws helped many women in the world and had a major effect on modern day society. Although women still are not equal to men, they have the ability to control power and have simple rights of their own.
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