Empress of the Byzantine Empire, Theodora, is known for the intelligence and wisdom that she displayed in her reign in the 6th century (527-548). She used her power and influence to improve the status of women and to promote her religious beliefs.
Little is known of Theodora’s early life, but what is known was recorded in the Secret History, written by an official court historian, Procopius. According to his writing, Theodora was a daughter from a bear trainer of a circus. She was an actress and dancer since very young. This profession was considered to be a dishonorable lifestyle in Rome culture. Her social status changed dramatically when she married Justinian and became the empress of Byzantine. In the Secret History, Theodora was portrayed …show more content…
As a co-regent of the empire, Theodora was responsible for diplomacy, and often held imperial receptions. Her social status shifted once more when, in 542 AD, emperor Justinian fell sick from the bubonic plague. In The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian, the author expounds on her social shift by explaining the sort of responsibilities that Theodora assumed when her husband was struck down by the plague. She was left in effectively in control of all the national affairs and became the actual only ruler of the empire at that time. Justinian is believed to consult her every day about the governmental direction, even included religious policy. Accompanying those responsibilities was her responsibility to handle insurrection. During this tumultuous time, General Belisarius and his fellow officer, Bouzes had declared publicly that they would never want another Justinian as emperor when Justinian seemed was not able to survive the plague. Theodora reacted ruthless to the disloyalty. According to This Age of Justinian: The Circumstances of Imperial Power, Bouzes was prisoned in an underground chamber, located below the women’s quarters of the palace for two years and four months. Belisarius “was deprived of his command and bodyguard…returned to Italy under a cloud.”