Theodora became empress of the Byzantine Empire during the 6 th century AD. She was the wife of Justinian I, one of the most notable Byzantine emperors. As empress, Theodora used her position and influence to institute reforms within the empire, in particular those that promoted the status of women.
Theodora was born around AD Little is known about her early life. Procopius goes on to report that from a young age, Theodora worked as an actress and a prostitute, occupations that were not deemed respectable in Byzantine society.
At the age of 16, Theodora went to North Africa as the companion of an official, and stayed there for the next four years. On her way back to Constantinople, Theodora stopped at Alexandria, where she adopted Monophysitism, a non-orthodox branch of Christianity. After her conversion, Theodora changed her lifestyle, and earned her living as a wool spinner when she returned to the capital. Empress Theodora represented in mosaic at San Vitale, Ravenna. Public Domain. It was around this time that Theodora caught the eye of Justinian, who was serving under his uncle, the emperor Justin I.
In AD , Justin died, and was succeeded by Justinian. In January AD , supporters of the Greens and Blues, the popular chariot racing factions in Constantinople , united in revolt against Justinian. The emperor was advised by his officials to flee the capital.
Theodora, on the other hand, advised her husband to stay and save his empire. She gave a rousing speech to the emperor and his advisors, convincing them to remain. The emperor ordered his troops to put the revolt down by force. The Nika riots caused much destruction to the city, which gave Justinian and Theodora the opportunity to rebuild it. The imperial rebuilding programme made Constantinople one of the most beautiful cities in the world at that time. The most iconic accomplishment of this rebuilding programme was the Hagia Sophia.
