Theodora and Justinian “There are two great gifts which God, in his love for man, has granted from on high: the priesthood and the imperial dignity"
—Justinian I. What many emperors failed to do before him was to completely remake the Roman Empire. Justinian and Theodora were not the likely people to be granted such high status and power, to change the view of religion in Byzantium. The pair had many instances in their past that should have damage the duo as rulers, but through their determination they thrived. Byzantium the Eastern Roman Empire was focused in the center of Constantinople "City of Constantine". Today eminent for ancient Rome a Greek culture, portrayed by Christianity rather than Roman paganism and was primarily Greek-speaking society. During most of its existence, it remained one of the most powerful economic, cultural, and military forces in Europe, notwithstanding setbacks and territorial losses. Throughout the paper we will be considering how Justinian, Theodora, and their partnership flourished in the Byzantium era. Justinian commonly known as Justinian the Great was born in Tauresium around 482 to a peasant Latin speaking family. His uncle Justin later adopted him, guaranteed his education and allowing him to work under him. While his uncle was a ruler Justinian was an honorable confidant who during his rule until his uncle aged; Justinian was selected as consul and commander of the east until Justin’s death upon which Justinian took over as ruler. Justinian was said to be full of vigor and succeeded in proving himself. “ Justinian was the power behind the throne during the nine year’s of Justin’s rule” (Browning 23). Justinian was momentously remembered for his work in the judicial reforms and as of today Corpus juris civilis. Securing the status of Christianity as the states religion and uniting religion and state as one; declaring that any one person who was not a Christian was not a citizen. “It is under the authority of God that We rule the empire which has been entrusted to Us by His celestial majesty, that We bring Our wars to a successful conclusion, and the We maintain the position of Our common wealth” (Browning 55). Justinian as an emperor was able to eradicate the law keeping him from marrying his lover Theodora. The law prohibited actresses to marry men of the senate. He also passed laws to shelter prostitutes from mistreatment and women being forced into prostitution. In the case a women was charged with a major crimes and should become abused she is put under the watch of another women. The new laws Justinian created were highly influenced by his soon to be wife Theodora who felt that these particular women should be respected more. In the earlier years of his rule Justinian was nearly over throne by his own people in the Nika revolt . The rebels became angry and wanted Hypatius a senator to takeover the rule and would voice their option during a sporting event (chariot racing) which turn into a full riot of burning buildings and an angry crowd; “While some groups rampaged thorough the streets setting fire to buildings, the rest gathered in the Hippondrome and demanded the dismissal not only Eudaimon, The City Perfect, but also of John of Cappadocia and Tribonian. The emperor, who saw that his only chance to regain mastery of the situation was to make speedy concessions, at once announced the dismissal of the three officials” (Browning 70). Justinian’s military rule was the regaining of large sweeps of land around the western Mediterranean basin which had been lost in the Imperial control; 5th century. “Justinian also recaptured much of the conquered Western Roman Empire, including all of Italy and the whole northern coastline of Africa. The Byzantine Empire now included many people Latins and Greeks, there were Armenians, Syrians, Egyptians, and Berbers”( Jordan 4). Justinian can acknowledge that his general Belisarius was the key reason for the expansion. Although he never claimed a campaign of war he did however claim a campaign against all who were not Christian; (Evans) (Browing) “At the very beginning of his reign, he deemed it proper to promulgate by law the Church's belief in the Trinity and the Incarnation; and to threaten all heretics with the appropriate penalties, whereas he subsequently declared that he intended to deprive all disturbers of orthodoxy of the opportunity for such offense by due process of law” (Strayer) 25. Justinian was rational ruler who though of the socity as a whole including the lower class. Theodora was the wife of Justinian I who was crowned Emperor of the Byzantine Empire . As his wife, she ruled by his side and her intelligence helped to advance the Empire. The exact place of her birth has not established. She was brought up as the daughter of a bear trainer who worked at a huge stadium-like circus, in Constantinople. She worked as a mime and later as a full time actress. At the time, acting was not a highly honored occupation particularly for women; the term 'actress' was considered synonymous with the term 'prostitute'. While on stage she was remembered for her adventurous entertainment abilities, off stage however, she lived a normal youthful life and was most remembered for her wild parties. “"undraped the beauty of which she was so proud," and off, where she followed in the footsteps of her sister as a prostitute and/or courtesan. In the context of the time, "actress" was synonymous with "prostitute"” (Gale 8). She traveled to northern Africa as the companion of an official. She stayed there for 4 years before returning to Constantinople. She stopped by Alexandria, the capital of Egypt and here she adopted Monophysitism. This was a form of Christianity that believed that Jesus Christ was wholly divine and not both human and divine as was the orthodox Christian belief. Orthodox Christians did not approve of the Monophysites since their teachings did not conform to those of the Orthodox Church; “The church became the gauge of orthodoxy and the Monophysites, was the last of them” (Evas67). On alteration to Monophysitism, she gave up her former lifestyle and upon reaching Constantinople in 522. It was while in this underprivileged lifestyle that she drew the attention of Justinian while he was a government official. Theodora was beautiful, intelligent, witty, and amusing which is possibly how she won Justinian's love so much that he appealed against an old Roman law that forbade officials from marrying actresses. Justinian and Theodora were married. In 527, Justin, the emperor of Byzantium, and Justinian's uncle died. The couple presumed power of the Empire and were crowned Emperor and Empress. They ruled unofficially as joint monarchs with Justinian permitting Theodora to share his thrown and take active part in decision-making. The major event during Empress Theodora's rule was the Nika revolt, which she demonstrated herself a worthy and able leader. Throughout this event, two rival political groups the blues, who were both Justinian and Theodora preferred group, and the greens, begun a riot at the Hippodrome. They started fire to many public buildings and declared a new emperor. Justinian and his officials, incapable of controlling the crowd prepared to flee, but Theodora spoke up and gave an affecting speech regarding the greater significance of the life of a person who died as a ruler, over that of a person who lives but was has nothing of their former existence. Theodora can accurately be seen with her drive to keep her standings in the society; “ This was a proud empress who had climbed from the dregs of society to the peak of the social order, and she would die rather than slide down the ladder again” (Evans 46). Her unwavering speech persuaded Justinian and his officials to attack the Hippodrome, killing over 30,000 rebels and emerging victorious. She was known as saving the empire. Theodora and Justinian transformed the city of Constantinople, building it into a city that for many centuries was known as the most magnificent cities in the world. They built aqueducts, bridges, and more than 25 churches, the most significant of these being the Hagia Sophia - 'Church of Holy Wisdom'. Theodora may well be considered a honorable innovator of the women's liberation crusade. Justinian and she agreed on laws prohibiting forced prostitution and established homes for prostitutes. She also increased the rights of women in divorce and property ownership, introduced the death penalty for rape, prohibited coverage of unwanted infants, gave mothers certain guardianship rights over their children, and banned the killing of a wife who committed adultery; “ Theodora had hardly been crowned when she started a crusaded against prostition” (Evans 30). They also provided safe protection for Monophysite leaders who faced resistance from the mass orthodox Christians, even though Justinian was an orthodox Christian. Justinian would often enjoy dialect on the subject; “Justinian and Theodora would argue question from different view points” (Evans 23). Stunning mosaics their remembrance exist to this day at the Church of San Vitale at Ravenna in Northern Italy. Justinian was able to bring harmony between the Monophysites and the Orthodox Christians, and the status of women in the Byzantine Empire was elevated high above that of the women in the Middle East and Europe.

Works Cited

"Justinian I." Dictionary of the Middle Ages. Ed. Joseph R. Strayer. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1989. Gale World History In Context. Web. 21 Mar. 2012.

Byzantine Empire." The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. William Chester Jordan. Vol. 1. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1996. 121-128. Gale World History In Context. Web. 21 Mar. 2012.

Theodora." Historic World Leaders. Gale, 1994. Gale World History In Context. Web. 21 Mar. 2012.

Browning, Robert. Justinian and Theodora. New York: Praeger, 1971. Print.
Evans, J. A. S. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. Austin: University of Texas, 2002. Print.