66 I n September 2006, in a near-empty church in Ravenna, in north-east Italy, I found myself in front of a vibrant, 1,500-year-old mosaic of a woman in purple. Consequently, he used the law to micromanage the implementation of religion through laws aimed at its very execution.[34]. Despite playing a key role in Byzantine history, Theodora was largely overlooked by historians and scholars. In Egypt, when Timothy III died, Theodora enlisted the help of Dioscoros, the Augustal Prefect, and Aristomachos the duke of Egypt, to facilitate the enthronement of a disciple of Severus, Theodosius, thereby outmaneuvering her husband, who had intended a Chalcedonian successor. World History Encyclopedia, 03 Apr 2018. The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire 2 Volume Set., J. R. Martindale, 1992 Cambridge University Press, p. 1240. Theodora's political manoeuvres are blamed for the downfall of the chief minister John of Cappadocia, although he was none too popular with the Byzantine people either because he was seen as the instigator of the oppressive tax reforms which had caused the Nika Revolt. Instead, he was of common birth and . Her words at that crucial moment were recorded by Procopius as follows: I do not care whether or not it is proper for a woman to give brave counsel to frightened men; but in moments of extreme danger, conscience is the only guide. Justinian treated his wife as his intellectual partner, and in doing so Theodora was able to have a major impact on the political decisions of the Byzantine Empire. They were extensively used to depict religious subjects on the interior of churches within the Empire and remained a popular form of expression from 6th century to the end of the Empire in the 15th century. His perspective was that as the Christian emperor, he should be in harmony with the head(s) of The Church. [51], The Miaphysites believed her influence on Justinian to be so strong that after her death, when he worked to bring harmony between the Miaphysites and the Chalcedonian Christians in the Empire and kept his promise to protect her little community of Miaphysite refugees in the Hormisdas Palace, the Miaphysites suspected Theodora's memory to be the driving factor. Sexual promiscuity was ascribed to many female actresses and performers of the time, and the Secret History's lengthy and pornographic descriptions of Theodora's behavior are perceived as slanderous and unreliable by many modern historians. The mosaic art of the Byzantine Empire exerted a significant influence on the Muslim art during the Omayyad and Abbasid caliphate and later in the time of Ottoman Empire. Numerous historians have emerged in recent decades pointing out that Procopius is not necessarily a reliable source on which to base our common understanding of Theodora and her historical impact. World History Encyclopedia. Little is known of her early years. Born into a humble family, Theodora managed to climb to the top of the social hierarchy, becoming the empress of the Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire).But Theodora was more than a mere wife of emperor Justinian. The mosaics glorify the imperial autocracy because, at this time, Justinian was expanding the Byzantine empire throughout the Mediterranean and had conquered the . Together, they heralded a new era for the Byzantine Empire and its people. Help us and translate this definition into another language! Similarly, in Italy, when the Renaissance was first emerging, it borrowed heavily from the traditions of Byzantium. Street violence between the parties was a regular event and when Justinian became emperor, he staked out a claim to drive the city to a more lawful and orderly community. Empress Theodora was Justinian's spouse and his most trusted advisor. Justinian himself was infected; he survived, but while he was gravely ill, Theodora ruled alone. "Empress Theodora." O n both sides of the main apse of the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, the Byzantine imperial court is represented in mosaic. "[48], Although Procopius as a contemporary historian demonstrates areas of clear bias, his aggrandized tales and retelling of salacious rumors (compared alongside other historians of the era) provide a glimpse into the changing values and norms of the time period, rather than a straightforward biographical study of Theodora's life and character. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. It is important to note, however, that Theodora had already died when the work was published, meanwhile Justinian was still alive and most likely commissioned the work.[40]. John the Cappadocian, Justinian's chief tax collector, she identified as her enemy, because of his independent and great influence, and was brought down by a plot devised by Theodora and Antonina. [1] It was during this period from the 9th to 11th centuries that some of the most magnificent Byzantine mosaics were created. We care about our planet! Both sides appealed for mercy at the hippodrome where the public was permitted to entreat the emperor on issues. Theodora provided much political support for the ministry of Jacob Baradaeus, and apparently personal friendship as well. Most of what we know about her comes from Procopius Secret History, which was written after her death and regarded by many as exaggerated gossip. The imperial cause was greatly helped by the gifted generals Belisarius and Mundus, who ruthlessly quashed the revolt by slaughtering 30,000 of the perpetrators inside the Hippodrome. Justinian had insisted his wife be crowned as his equal and not as his consort. Besides these darker tales of personal vendettas and cronyism, Theodora was noted for her influence on Justinian's social reforms and her charitable work, sponsoring the foundation of many institutions for the poor such as orphanages, hospitals, and (perhaps significantly given her former profession) a home for former prostitutes seeking to reenter respectable society. Theodora | Empress, Regent & Reformer | Britannica The emperor's robe is of Tyrian purple. She became empress upon Justinian's accession in 527 and was one of his chief advisers. According to Procopius, at a meeting of the government council, Theodora spoke out against leaving the palace and underlined the significance of someone who died as a ruler instead of living as an exile or in hiding, saying, "royal purple is the noblest shroud".[22]. Byzantine mosaics are mosaics produced from the 4th to 15th [1] centuries in and under the influence of the Byzantine Empire. Innovative architecture in the age of Justinian - Smarthistory Our publication has been reviewed for educational use by Common Sense Education, Internet Scout (University of Wisconsin), Merlot (California State University), OER Commons and the School Library Journal. The city, now called Qasr Libya, is known for its splendid sixth-century mosaics. [42] Many modern scholars prefer Procopius' account.[41]. This was an infamous riot caused by factions of the supporters in the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Theodora: the empress from the brothel | Women | The Guardian Last modified April 03, 2018. Although, they soon felt secure enough to reinstate the two ministers that were dismissed to appease the rebels; John the Cappadocian as financial minister, Tribonian as the primary legal minister. Other victims of the Empress' machinations were Pope Silverius (deposed in 537 CE) and possibly the Gothic queen Amalasuntha, who was assassinated, but real details and hard evidence are lacking. This religious shift dramatically affected the art that was created across the empire. Pinterest pin for guide to the mosaics of Ravenna Indeed, the Empress is credited with the promotion of, and ultimately achieving the adoption of, Monophysitism in Nubia around 540 CE. Empress Theodora: 9 Major Accomplishments - World History Edu by Medieval Chronicles and Khan Academy, The Empress Theodora (500 28 June 548) wife of Justinian I, San Vitale, Ravenna, St. Vitalis, Archangel, Jesus Christ, Second Archangel and Bishop of Ravenna Ecclesius, Angel Gabriel, Mosaic in the Hagia Sophia, The Virgin and Child (theotokos) Mosaic, in the Apse of Hagia Sophia, Emperor Constantine I, Presenting a Model of the City to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Epiphanius of Salamis Cyprus (salaminskiy), Saint Demetrius Solunsky (Demetrius of Thessaloniki), Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance (c. 12611453). After her conversion, Theodora travelled to Constantinople where she met Justinian, who was 20 years her senior. As empress, Theodora used her position and influence to institute reforms within the empire, in particular those that promoted the status of women. Michael the Syrian, the Chronicle of 1234 and Bar-Hebraeus place her origin in the city of Daman, near Kallinikos, Syria. Consequently, the Greens felt isolated and frustrated. 10 of the Best Historic Sites in Washington D.C. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. The lowly status of Theodora was not ignored by everyone, and one particularly passionate opponent was Empress Lupicina Euphemia, indeed, her death seems to have removed the foremost obstacle to the marriage. Some historians, including classics scholar James Allan Evans, believe that Procopius's account of John is unlikely to be factual because Theodora publicly acknowledged her illegitimate daughter and therefore likely would have acknowledged an illegitimate son, had one existed.[16]. Byzantine art and culture continued to live on in its far-reaching outposts, as well as in Greece, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire, where it had flourished for so long. The reign of Justinian. Date: early 20th century (original dated 6th century) Culture: Byzantine. Sponsored by a Greek banker, Julius Argentarius (CC BY-NC-SA). Theodora, "destitute of the means of life,"[10] settled for a while in Alexandria, Egypt, where some historians speculate that she met Patriarch Timothy III, a Miaphysite, and converted to Miaphysite Christianity. The Departure of St. Theodora. Both trends are further developed during the reign of Justinian (reigned 527 to 565). {"@context":"https://schema.org","@id":"https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3341/justinian-i/#imageobject","@type":"ImageObject","acquireLicensePage":"https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3341/justinian-i/","caption":"Detail of a contemporary portrait of Justinian I in the Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna. The foremost source of information on her life before marrying Justinian is Procopius's Secret History, which is often regarded as slanderous. Worse was to follow for Belisarius when the devastating bubonic plague struck the empire in the spring of 542 CE. Justinian was said to have been taken by Theodoras intelligence and beauty, and made her his mistress before marrying her in 525. Image credit: AlexAnton / Shutterstock.com, Image Credit: AlexAnton / Shutterstock.com. History Hit brings you the stories that shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel. She was born into the Macedonian dynasty that ruled the Eastern Roman Empire for almost 200 years.. Theodora was the youngest daughter of Emperor . Belisarius was too popular a figure to simply imprison or murder but he could be cut down a peg or two, and so Theodora ordered he be relieved of his command and his property be confiscated. The Emperor and Empress are recognized in both victory and in generosity in these large-scale public works. Along with her spouse, Theodora is a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in the Oriental Orthodox Church, commemorated on 14 November and 28 June respectively. This holy woman was the only daughter of noble and Christian parents of Alexandria. Antonina (wife of Belisarius) - Wikipedia According to Secret History, she attempted to marry her grandson Anastasius to Joannina, Belisarius' and Antonina's daughter and heiress, against her parents' will, which was rejected at first yet the couple would eventually marry. Iconoclasm and the Triumph of Orthodoxy in Byzantine Mosaics - Smarthistory [20] During a riot between the two factions in early January 532, the urban prefect Eudaemon arrested a group of both Green and Blue felons and convicted them of murder. [13] Procopius' Secret History maintained that instead of preventing forced prostitution (as in Buildings 1.9.3ff), Theodora is said to have 'rounded up' 500 prostitutes, confining them to a convent. The Roman-Byzantine Empire participated in extensive trade and diplomatic contacts with a wide range of societies, such that the period has been characterized as one of "incipient globalization." [1] In the fourth to fifth centuries, Northern Eurasian migratory groups vanquished the western provinces of the Roman Empire, even sacking Rome itself. Brooklyn Museum: Theodora [49], Perhaps describing Procopius as a historian is incorrect from the perspective of Averil Cameron, a researcher. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@id":"https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4503/empress-theodora--her-court/#imageobject","@type":"ImageObject","acquireLicensePage":"https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4503/empress-theodora--her-court/","caption":"A 6th century CE mosaic depicting Empress Theodora and her court in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. The Russian Empire, which was first starting to emerge around the time Constantinople fell, carried on as the heir of Byzantium. For example, Procopius describes two separate incidents where she accuses men of having sexual relations with other men publicly in the judicial system. Theodora, like her husband, is portrayed with a large halo. By 1261 the Byzantine Empire was free of its western occupiers and stood as an independent empire once again, albeit markedly weakened. When Theodora was four, her mother brought her children wearing garlands into the Hippodrome and presented them as suppliants to the Green faction, but they rebuffed her efforts. Theodora was crowned as empress in the same coronation ceremony as her husband on 1 April 527 CE. She is depicted in full imperial garb, endowed with jewels befitting her role as empress. According to Procopius, the Imperial couple made all senators, including patricians, prostrate themselves before them whenever they entered their presence, and made it clear that their relations with the civil militia were those of masters and slaves: Not even the government officials could approach the Empress without expending much time and effort. Accession Number: 25.100.2a-e. Procopius might have stolen the accolades for most-lasting and colourful literary portrait of the Empress but, in the visual arts, there is a formidable rival to how Theodora is remembered in history. She would protect and house monks who adhered to monophysite beliefs, even using the Great Palace of Constantinople to do so. Abandoned and maltreated by Hecebolus, she later settled for a while in Alexandria, Egypt, where she made a living as wool spinner. Every man who is born into the light of day must sooner or later die; and how can an Emperor ever allow himself to become a fugitive? Empress Theodora, rhetoric, and Byzantine primary sources Her cloak is embroidered with imagery of the three kings bearing their gifts for the Christ child, symbolizing a connection with her and Justinian bringing gifts to the church. If you wish to save yourself, my lord, there is no difficulty. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Procopius details two examples of Theodora's engagement in the Byzantine Empire's foreign policy that supports his perspective. There, she met Justinian. Their marriage was against the express wishes of Justinians aunt, the empress Euphemia, who was herself a former slave and prostitute. "Empress Theodora, whose uncertain background was criticized by the historian Procopius and others as being one of disrepute, is also draped in a royal purple chlamys over an embroidered gunna the etymological root of the modern-day English word "gown." Justin I even went so far as to amend the laws (senators, which Justinian was, could not marry actresses) in order to permit the marriage and to legitimise Theodora's illegitimate daughter. Justinian sought to marry Theodora, though he was prevented from doing so by a Roman law from Constantine's time that barred anyone of senatorial rank from marrying actresses. Her mother, whose name is not recorded, was a dancer and an actress. The Byzantine rulers adorned the churches of Ravenna with stunning mosaics. According to Procopius, she shared in his decisions, plans and political strategies, participated in state councils, and had great influence over him. Theodora, Byzantine empress who reigned jointly with her sister Zoe in 1042 and on her own in 1055-56. Mosaics were some of the most popular [2] and historically significant art forms produced in the empire, and they are still studied extensively by art historians. 547 A.D.). Dimensions: Overall: 104 x 144 x 5 in. May I never be deprived of this purple robe, and may I never see the day when those who meet me do not call me Empress. Her death had a visible impact on Justinian, who never remarried. Mosaic of Theodora - Basilica of San Vitale (built A.D. 547), Image Credit: Basilica of San Vitale, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Brothels, Baths and Babes: Prostitution in the Byzantine Holy Land", "Discussion:: Last Statues of Antiquity", "Procopius on Theodora: ancient and new biographical patterns", "Empresses in Byzantine Society: Justifiably Angry or Simply Angry? It is as though Christ and the royal court are involved in a religious ceremony in a reality parallel Centered in Byzantium's capital of Constantinople (modern Istanbul) from the 700s-843, imperial and Church authorities debated . During a procession in 559, Justinian visited and lit candles for her tomb.[38]. Mischa Meier: "Zur Funktion der Theodora-Rede im Geschichtswerk Prokops (BP 1,24,33-37)", This page was last edited on 13 August 2023, at 20:40. [19], Two major party factions were at odds before, during, and after Justinian and Theodora's reign the Blues and the Greens. Theodora was born in c. 497 CE, the daughter of a bear-keeper called Akakios who worked for the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Following Euphemia's death in 524, Justin passed a new law stating that reformed actresses could marry outside of their rank if the marriage was approved by the emperor. When Procopius was unable to explain the actions of the Emperor and Empress according to his beliefs, he fell back on the principle of outside influences being the only likely explanation. Procopius, in Wars, mentioned that she was naturally inclined to assist women in misfortune, and according to Secret History she was accused of unfairly championing the wives' causes moreso when they were charged with adultery (SH 17). The glittering wall mosaic shows the Empress in one panel while another shows Justinian and the archbishop of Ravenna, Maximian (r. 546-556 CE). She is remembered as one of the first rulers to recognise the rights of women. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! [2] According to Michael the Syrian, her birthplace was in Mabbug, Syria;[3] Nicephorus Callistus Xanthopoulos names Theodora a native of Cyprus,[4] while the Patria, attributed to George Codinus, claims Theodora came from Paphlagonia. Off stage, Theodora was said to have had numerous lovers and held wild parties. Anthimus had been appointed Patriarch of Constantinople under her influence, and after the excommunication order he was hidden in Theodora's quarters for twelve years, until her death. The marriages of her sister Comito to general Sittas and her niece Sophia to Justinian's nephew Justin II, who would succeed to the throne, are suspected to have been engineered by Theodora. Techniques and media. "Procopius on Theodora: ancient and new biographical patterns". Her parents Provided for her costly apparels and many gold and silver accessories, for they wished to give her in marriage. Mosaics were one of the most popular forms of art in the Byzantine Empire. Byzantine mosaics are mostly made of glass, stone, ceramic, and tesserae. Beginner's guide to Byzantine art & mosaics (article) | Khan Academy Diehl attributes the modern existence of Jacobite Christianity equally to Baradaeus and to Theodora.[52]. How Roman Legionaries Acquired Their Iconic Armour, Historical Trips - Book your next historical adventure. After the relationship broke up, she made her way back home via Alexandria where she may have converted to Christianity. Olbia in Cyrenaica renamed itself Theodorias after Theodora. Theodoras background meant she was not legally allowed to marry Justinian. (DOC) (3rd Year) The Justinian and Theodora Mosaics of San Vitale In spite of Justinian being Chalcedonian, Theodora founded a Miaphysite monastery in Sykae and provided shelter in the palace for Miaphysite leaders who faced opposition from the majority of Chalcedonian Christians, like Severus and Anthimus. Byzantine Iconoclasm and the Triumph of Orthodoxy. They simply showed their respect by lying face down and touching the instep of each of her feet with their lips; there was no opportunity to speak or to make any request unless she told them to do so. The Persian king used this as an example to his nobles of a failed state since no real state could exist that was governed by a woman. Similarly, the Gothic king Theodahad expressed in a letter to Theodora that confirmed that you exhort me to bring first to your attention anything I decide to ask from the triumphal prince, your husband. Even the Emperor himself is quoted before issuing a decree that he had discussed it with our most august consort whom God has given us. All of these examples offend Procopius's sense of propriety. Justinian and Theodora retained a distaste for the aristocrats that had attempted to unseat them. After many days, some of them might at last be summoned, but going into her presence in great fear, they very quickly departed. Empress Theodora's place setting uses Byzantine iconography and mosaics to convey her important role in building the Byzantine Empire. Related Content Theodora's Secret History Theodora is credited with supporting, and ultimately achieving the adoption, of Monophysitism in Nubia around 540 CE. She is also wearing a great deal of jewellery with necklaces, earrings, and a fabulous gem-studded crown, and a Tyrian purple robe. They were treated like servants and kept waiting in a small, stuffy room for an endless time. It wasn't the fact that women couldn't lead an empire Procopius believed that only women demonstrating masculine virtues and strengths were appropriate as leaders.
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