Justinian and Theodora - relationship of true love (PHOTO)

 

The Origins of Theodora

Theodora was born around 500 to Acacius and his unnamed wife. Acacius was the bear-keeper of the Hippodrome for the Greens in Constantinople. The family’s place of origin was unknown as the sources contradict each other. Some possible locations include Crete, Cyprus and even Syria. 

The second child in the family, Theodora had an elder sister named Comito and a younger one named Anastasia. The children spent their childhood in the Hippodrome where their father worked. It was not an ideal place to grow up, but they had little choice in the matter. The family belonged to the lowest rung of society.

On the eyes of Byzantine society, an actress was no better than a prostitute; the lowest member of society. Roman law also forbade high ranking officials from marrying actresses. But for the sake of earning a living, this is what Theodora and her sisters did. When Theodora was around 12, she followed her sister Comito onstage to help her with her acts.

But Theodora was popular because of her willingness to strip on stage during her comic take on well-known plays. This drew huge crowds from all over Constantinople to see her. Additionally, she was also famous for her sexual services as a courtesan which she used to earn more income. At the age of 18, despite her frequent abortions, she had an illegitimate daughter. She might have had a son at the age of 16, but this is uncertain.

In the end, Theodora never liked her lifestyle. When she was around 20, she took off with her lover Hecebolus for North Africa and left everything behind. Hecebolus was heading to Pentapolis to assume his new position as its governor. By going with him, Theodora probably hoped to begin a new life. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.

The lovers soon quarrelled and Hecebolus threw her out. Theodora found herself penniless and a long way from home in a foreign land. This unexpected turn of events was probably the lowest point in her life. But Theodora was undaunted. She was above all a survivor and she would return to Constantinople by any means necessary. This she set out to do. 

By the age of 20, Theodora had seen and learned much about the ways of the world. Turning her back on her former lifestyle, she was content to eke out a humble living while devoting her life to God. But God had other plans for her. In the short time that she had returned to Constantinople, she would soon cross paths with the most powerful man in the empire; the future Emperor Justinian. Read on to find out how Justinian changed her life.

 

 Eastern Roman Empire under Justinian I

Prelude

In 522, the most powerful man in the Byzantine Empire was Justinian, the nephew of the Emperor Justin. He was around 40 and had been in charge of state affairs for some years. Justinian was average looking, a little plump with red rosy cheeks and dark curly hair. What he lacked in stature, he made up for in intellect. In an empire of learned men, Justinian was one of the most learned of them all. It was because of his learning that the old emperor left the state affairs in his hands.

In contrast, Theodora was probably around 20 when she returned to Constantinople. After her religious awakening in Alexandria, she turned her back on her former life as an actress and courtesan. To earn her living, she spun wool and lived in a small house, faceless and unknown. But this was not to be for God had other plans for her.

 
 Justinian had the laws changed so he could marry

Theodora Meets Justinian

It is unclear how Theodora and Justinian met, but a link they both shared was their favour for the Blues. The Blues was one of the factions that managed events in the Hippodrome. They also had enough political influence to topple emperors and statesmen. Although Theodora had reformed, she still maintained ties with the Blues to whom she felt indebted. Meanwhile, Justinian was trying to court the favour of the Blues. He needed their support for the throne he hoped to receive from his uncle. It was likely that at one of his social networking sessions, he met Theodora and fell in love with her.

It is not difficult to see why Justinian loved her so deeply. She was beautiful, intelligent and confident. Despite her tender age of 20, she had a worldly wisdom about her that belied her years. But more importantly, Justinian must have sensed an intellectual equal from his time with her. He must have felt that she was someone who could help him to fulfil his ambitions. As he kept on returning to visit her, he grew fonder of her with each passing day. Soon he asked her to be his mistress and Theodora accepted. This fateful decision changed her life forever.

Life and Love as Justinian’s Mistress

As Justinian’s mistress, Theodora moved into the Palace of Hormisdas. It lay near the Bosphorus along the shore of the Sea of Marmara. This must have been shocking to many who knew of Theodora’s past. But given the power Justinian had, it would have been foolish to say much. Meanwhile, the couple must have enjoyed themselves admiring the view of the sea and discussing their future plans. While they both loved each other dearly, they were also ambitious and looked ahead to the bright future they had.

In the meantime, Justinian did all he could to make Theodora happy. Firstly, he showered her with gifts and made sure she was financially secure. Next, he got the emperor to make her a patrician, raising her standing and status in society. Then, treating her as an equal and trusted confidant, he sought her opinion on all matters of state. It was a prudent move for her input was always intelligent and pragmatic. 

And despite being orthodox in his Christian faith, Justinian tried to be more tolerant for Theodora’s sake. Realizing that she backed the Monophysites, he got the emperor to stop their oppression and to better their lives.

 

It was a huge turnaround for Theodora who had known little happiness or security for much of her life. Her meteoric rise from the lowest rung of society to her high standing must have been hard to believe. In the past, her views counted for nothing and she struggled to earn a decent living. Now she had all the love, wealth, power and influence she could ever hope for. She even had the ability to protect those who were close to her, like the Monophysites.

But did Theodora love Justinian? Even if she did not love him initially, his sincerity moved her in the end. There is no mention by any known source of infidelity on her part. For the rest of her life she remained faithful to Justinian and supported him through every crisis he faced. There was also a ruthless side to her. She had no qualms about destroying anyone who dared to threaten her or Justinian.

Obstacles to Marriage

But until the lovers were married before God, they would not be content. Unfortunately, for all his power, Justinian faced a few problems that seemed hard to resolve.

Firstly, there was the Roman law which forbade the upper class from marrying a courtesan. Polite society viewed this occupation as the lowest of the low, not worthy of mingling with the elite. The second and more serious obstacle was his aunt, the Empress Euphemia.

Although the empress was a former slave herself, she refused to sanction the marriage because of Theodora’s past. While Justinian could easily alter the law, he could not oppose his aunt outright. So the lovers had to bide their time.

The Empress Theodora

Luckily, they did not have to wait long. Euphemia passed away sometime around 523. God was on their side after all. Justinian swiftly got the emperor to alter the law that stood in the way of their marriage. Now anyone could marry a reformed courtesan. But the couple did not rush to get married at once. Showing restraint, they patiently observed a period of mourning for the dearly departed empress.

But the dead would not return and life had to go on. Around 525, the Patriarch Epiphanius married Justinian and Theodora in the Hagia Sophia. On that joyous day, the people joined in the celebrations and paid their respects to the newlywed couple.

     

They knew that these two would one day be their future rulers. True enough, when the emperor died in 527, Justinian ascended the throne and crowned Theodora his empress and co-ruler. The former courtesan now found herself the new empress of the Byzantine Empire. But it was a role that suited her well.

Reflections of the Vizier

Theodora’s rise was as sudden as it was unexpected. No one could have foreseen that she would one day become empress. It was true that she had great beauty. But without the intelligence and substance to go with it, she would never have won and kept the heart of Justinian. Before this, she had no say in anything. Now all her survival skills would come into play as she worked hard to keep the throne secure for herself and her husband. 

She had her own court. While her husband carried on all the business of the empire, she was doing the same. She shared equal power with him. (some would say more.) She had her own money, her own advisers and everything else she needed. People knew not to cross her. She had a very short temper.

She wasn’t all armor and nails, she had a soft spot as well. She opened up a safe house for reformed prostitutes and made laws to protect womens’ rights. She also issued laws to protect Christians of other sects.

She was a powerful woman that wanted women treated like humans, wanted her husband to succeed and be happy and wanted to remain on top of the world. She was a former prostitute that remembered what it was like to be poor and ashamed and never wanted to be in that position again. 

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