Justinian was one of most ambitious and greatly regarded Roman emperors during the Byzantium era. He took back Africa and Italy from the Vandals and the Goths, rebuilt the Hagia Sophia, and wrote the Corpus Juris Civilis, a complete overhaul of Roman law (Late Antiquity: A Guide to the Postclassical World). However, his success in these endeavors would not have been possible without his wife, Theodora. In his book “The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian”, James Allen Evans writes, “Theodora was, to quote Justinian’s own words in one of his laws, “our most pious consort given us by God””. Theodora was instrumental in restoring Roman rule to the west and further expanding the empire. With her influence, she increased women’s rights, kept …show more content…
the empire intact by convincing her husband to remain in Constantinople during the Nika revolt, and maintained peace between Catholics and Monophysites. Her beauty, courage, and stubbornness influenced her husband to pass laws increasing rights of all women, including her own.
Due to her career as an actress, it was illegal for Justinian, a royal official at the time, and Theodora to be married. His love for her pushed him to change that law and according to “Women in the Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia”, written by Nadia Margolis, “They began co-ruling as emperor and empress as of August 527. Theodora was no mere consort to her husband; Justinian definitely listened to her advice”. Theodora quickly took advantage of her newfound power and influence to manipulate her husband in increasing women's rights in the empire. This included implementing laws giving women guardianship of their children, allowing women to break unjust contracts and allowing people from different ranks to be married (Evans …show more content…
37-39). Perhaps the greatest feat in the empress’s reign was fortifying her husband resolve effectively saving the empire.
During her reign, the empire was in a craze for the sport of chariot racing, like football for Americans today. The empire was effectively divided into two factions; the blues or greens. Both emperor Justinian and empress Theodora were major supporters of the blue faction. However, one day a fight broke out between members of both factions and the law sentenced them to hang. Yet two members from opposing factions survived and found sanctuary. Emperor Justinian who was a regular to the games found the citizens united and demanded from the emperor to pardon the two surviving members. More and more the crowd grew unsettling and violent with each game passing, until the crown of over 100,000 rioted against the emperor and threatened his life. It was the start of a full-blown revolution! This is where the brilliance of the empress shines through. Her husband facing defeat and wanting to escape from the rioters is approached by his flawless wife. She begins to lecture to her husband and group of advisors that flight is not something that a real man does in the face of death. That it is much better to stay and face the danger instead of giving up all your riches and be cowards. She then says courageously “For a king, death is better than dethronement and exile”, explaining that all men die but it is unbearable to see an emperor live in exile as that is a fate worse
then death. Empress Theodora finishes by saying that she refuses to give up her purple robes and lifestyle for a life unbearable to live in comparison. Theodora’s words brought silence to the group of men but it also brought hope. Because of her words, the emperor decided to face this revolt and managed to secure his throne. Theodora demonstrated that she was the true ruler during a crisis involving the papacy. In a fight between Catholics and Monophysites, Justinian was an orthodox Catholic and Theodora sympathized with the Monophysites. In his book “Theodora: Empress of Byzantium”, Paolo Cesaretti writes, “Theodora’s clear sight and the initiative she showed in the winter of 536-37 made Justinian more of a spectator than an actor.” She tried to influence the pope to restore Anthimus to the patriarchy as a way to restrict influence of Constantinople and restore monophysitism as well. When that failed, Theodora went to more extreme measures, “Theodora wrote to Belisarius in Rome what no other women - empress or not - had ever dared: she ordered the general to remove Pope Silverius” (Caserotti 14). This action showed the ruthlessness she had in governing others. She was willing to go to the extremes to get what she wanted done. Empress Theodora was instrumental to the growth of the eastern Byzantium empire. She effectively became the prominent ruler in the kingdom evident by the influence that she had over her husband. Without Theodora’s influence, the empire wouldn’t have seen its glory days, instead the empire could have fallen into chaos. While there isn’t as much written about her as her husband, Empress Theodora become an example in that powerful women do not need to be in centerstage to influence history, rather they can rule behind the scenes and still be powerful. Theodora stands a beacon to the history of ancient antiquity women as a strong and influential ruler.
Did Justinian impact life as we know it because he is such a great ruler, or is he just a follower who keeps trying to hold on to the loose threads of a fallen empire? Some might say that without Justinian, humanity is a step further back. Others may argue evermore that Justinian is a two-faced liar who you cannot trust (Doc. 2). Contrary to many beliefs, Justinian creates a new Byzantine Empire after the fall of Rome that is influential to many different cultures, more advanced and educated than Rome, and more economically thriving than the Roman Empire.
Theodora’s story starts with a distinctive start. Her father was a bear trainer that worked in the Hippodrome in Constantinople and she grew up in the entertainment spotlight (Craig/Graham/Kagan/Ozment /Turner, 355, 2009). She was a mime and when she was older, she became an actress (Koeller, 1996). So, she not only lived in a circus, she also became a child star. Who would not want her childhood? But, back in that day, an actress was not a highly looked upon career for a women, therefore the term ‘actress’ was interchanged with ‘prostitute’ (Koeller, 1996). So, it might not have been the best...
The story of the fall of the Roman kingdom as told by Livy begins with king Tarquinius men gathered around a table praising their wives. Finally, one man declared that there was no use in arguing as his wife Lucretia was the most loyal. Another man suggested that as they are capable of it they should go to their houses unannounced in order to check up on their wives. Unlike the rest of the women, Lucretia was not going out but rather working on spinning with her servants in their house. Impressed by this her husband returned home for the night and invited the king's sons in for the night. several days later Sextus Tarquinius (one of the king’s sons) broke into Lucretia's bedroom held a sword to her neck and raped her. The next morning, she called in her father and husband. She explained to them what had happened. After explaining this to her father she killed herself due to her overwhelming feeling of dishonour. Due to this, her father rallied what was left of the senators and as a city, they expelled Tarquinius from all the territories of Rome. A general election was held to discover the new governing system the vote was for the republic. The monarchy was at an
Hill, Barbara. Imperial Women in Byzantium 1025-1204: Power, patronage and ideology. New York: Longman, 1999. Print.
middle of paper ... ... Internet http://www.vroma.org/bmcmanus/augustus2.html http://www.wsu.edu/dee/ROME/AUGUSTUS.htm. http://www.roman-emperors.org/livia.htm http://www.vroma.org/bmcmanus/livia.html http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_livia.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livia http://www.roman-empire.net/emperors/augustus.html http://sights.seindal.dk/sight/846_Agrippina_the_Younger.html http://members.aol.com/zoticus/bathlib/nero.htm http://www.travel-italy.com/ct/agrippina.html http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Thread/116676 Books 1. What is the difference between a. Author: Bartman, Elizabeth J. Title: Portraits of Livia : imaging the imperial woman in Augustan Rome.
Julius Caesar is the leader of Rome and is seeking to become king in a matter of time. Though he is a good military strategist, he lacks knowledge in running government and is too greedy to have any concern for the peasants when he is alive. Caesar is all about conquering and power and he is afraid of nothing. Before he is murdered, he says “The things that threatened me ne’er looked but on my back. When they shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished” (II, ii, 575). Th...
2. Procopius starts this document stating that Theodora is nothing more than a prostitute. He goes on to say that she was not of class or had any dignity, because she would perform on stage almost completely nude. Procopius portrays her as someone who is ruthless and will do whatever she needs to do to accomplish her goals. Justinian would fall in love with her, but was not allowed to marry her because of his social status, because
“I am the Emperor!” cried Harrison. “Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everyone must do what I say at once!” He stamped his foot and the studio shook. “Even as I stand here,” he bellowed, “crippled, hobbled, and sickened – I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived!” Harrison may be viewed as a hero in some people’s eyes, but the following evidence proves that Harrison Bergeron is a danger to society. He is aggressive, condescending, and unfit to control the government as emperor.
Justinian was one of the most influential rulers of Byzantium. When he came into power in 527 AD, he inherited a civilization in disarray. Justinian had a positive impact on the Byzantine Empire. Most notably, he introduced an improved set of laws and conquered many surrounding nations, nearly restoring the former glory of the Roman Empire. In addition to these contributions, Justinian also made advances with the Christian Church and Byzantine architecture.
Imagine a world where if the Senate did not like the President, they murdered him. In some years there would be up to five different rulers in a year. What would it be like to have murder mixed in with the craziness of politics? How would your life change if people were murdered by the Senate because they did not like the person? This was the way of life in many ancient empires. Murder was a just a way of life in ancient Rome. The Roman Senate would be so fed up with losing power that they killed several Emperors. However, there were five good emperors in a row who became known as The Five Good Emperors. These Emperors were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. They were mainly considered good for gaining the support of the Senate (Encyclopedia Britannica). After gaining the support of the Senate, these Emperors brought in and improved the tradition of adoption, doing different public works; the way they died also showed many truth about how these Emperors Ruled.
Julius Caesar was a strong leader of the Romans who changed the course of the history for the Roman world decisively and irreversibly. With his courage and strength, he created a strong empire and guided the empire for almost 20 years. His life was short, but had many adventures. I will tell of some of this man’s remarkable life. He did many things, therefore, I will only discuss a few. His name, part of his reign, one of his greatest battles, and his death will be told.
This was the beginning of Justinian’s famous rule, which lasted from 527 A.D. through 565 A.D. (The Reign of Justinian). The reign of Justinian was significant in many ways. First of all, it marked the final end of the Roman Empire. It was the establishment of the New Byzantine empire. It was also the beginning of Western Europe’s unique position within the civilization of the old world.
...they didn’t like the way he ruled(Movie). They thought Commodus was great at first, he was a young emperor and ordered 150 days of gladiatorial games in remembrance of his father. After a while people soon got bored with this, as anyone would.
Agrippina the Younger is well known throughout history and amongst historians as being the sly woman who brought many Emperors and soon to be Emperors to their deaths with the taste of poison. However, Agrippina did not thoughtlessly poison them without cause, but she had an agenda instead. This powerful and strong minded woman was entirely willing to ensure that her imperial lineage was made Emperor of Rome without exception. No matter the trickery that she would have to partake in, or the lives that she would have to exterminate with her poisonous concoctions, Agrippina masterminded plan after plan to ensure her son’s Nero success as Rome’s next great Emperor.
Violence plays an essential role in Empress of Rome because it is a tool used to keep the nation unified. The power of the Roman Empire was maintained through the federation of the people, once they were happy peace was guaranteed. Quinn provides examples throughout the novel of ways in which this was accomplish. “The Colosseum had been thrown open to the crowd for the festival day, and the games were planned. No doubt a thousand lions would be slaughtered by spearmen, five thousand exotic birds by archers, and a few hundred prisoners by guards, and half the unlucky bastards sentenced to the gladiatorial fights would get dragged out on hooks through the Gate of Death” (Quinn 20). Violence is this era was seen as entertainment. The colosseum