Table of Contents
What did purple mean to Theodora?
“The royal purple is the noblest shroud.” 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. If you wish to save yourself, my lord, there is no difficulty.
How long did the Byzantine empire last?
The Byzantine Empire existed from approximately 395 CE—when the Roman Empire was split—to 1453. It became one of the leading civilizations in the world before falling to an Ottoman Turkish onslaught in the 15th century.
When did Theodora become empress?
527
Justinian was said to have been taken by Theodora’s intelligence and beauty, and made her his mistress before marrying her in 525. When Emperor Justin I died in 527, Theodora was crowned empress of Rome, in the same coronation ceremony as her husband.
What did Justinian and Theodora do?
Theodora was empress of the Byzantine Empire and the wife of Emperor Justinian I. She was one of the most influential and powerful of the Byzantine empresses. Theodora participated in Justinian’s legal and spiritual reforms, and her involvement in the increase of the rights of women was substantial.
How did Empress Theodora meet Justinian?
After his death, Theodora took the stage as an actress to support the family. Theodora met Justinian I in 522, who was at that time heir to the throne. Justinian wanted to wed immediately, but as heir, he was forbidden to marry an actress, even one who had reformed.
When did Theodora die?
Theodora, (born c. 497 ce—died June 28, 548, Constantinople [now Istanbul, Turkey]), Byzantine empress, wife of the emperor Justinian I (reigned 527–565), probably the most powerful woman in Byzantine history.
Who was the husband of Empress Theodora the Great?
Empress Theodora’s husband Emperor Justinian I, also known as Justinian the Great, was emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 527 CE to 565 CE
When did Theodora become the Empress of the Byzantine Empire?
It was only after the death of Euphemia in 525 AD that Justinian’s uncle, the Emperor Justin I repealed the law, and Justinian was able to marry Theodora. By 527 AD, Emperor Justin was dead, and Justinian was proclaimed as the Byzantine Emperor, whilst Theodora became his empress.
When is the feast day of Theodora the Empress?
The death of the empress was a severe blow to Justinian, who reigned for about another 20 years . Theodora was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. Theodora (along with her husband) is considered to be a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church, and her feast day is the 14 th of November.