From Rags To Riches
Coming from the most humble beginnings, Theodora happened to meet just the right people and end up in just the right places to give her a brand new life, and one that many could only dream of. As the wife of Justinian I, she was unlike any Empress the Romans had seen, not only changing the world around her to help those overlooked by society, but also acting as an equal to the Emperor—so much so that it was hard to tell who called the shots.
1. Her Mother Was An Entertainer
It’s hard to pinpoint many of the details of Theodora’s early life, as, unlike many other royals in the Byzantine Empire, she began in a much less prominent class. Still, scholars have largely accepted that she was born around 495 CE, and that her father, Acacius, had a rather brutal job as a bear keeper at the Hippodrome. While her mother’s name remains unknown, it’s clear that Theodora inherited her talent from her, as she had worked as an actress and dancer.
While there are a few major accounts of Theodora’s life, some should be taken with a grain of salt.
2. They Don’t Trust Him
Although there are several sources on Theodora’s life as an Empress, many of the specifics of her earlier years come from the Greek scholar, Procopius—but that doesn’t mean they’re totally accurate. While his accounts of this period remain the most in-depth, many historians today tend to dismiss much of what he wrote as sensational embellishments, even with the odd fact sprinkled in.
Still, one early detail of her life remains uncontested—and it isn’t a happy one.
3. She Lost Someone
Life was chaotic for most in the Byzantine Empire, and anyone could find their lives upended in an instant—something that Theodora discovered all too soon. It’s unknown exactly when, but still at a young age, her family was suddenly thrown deeper into poverty when her father passed, taking his source of income with him.
Though her mother remarried, fortune did not smile on her new stepfather either, who sadly lost his much-needed job. With few other options, her mother tried to find work for them all—if only someone would give them a chance.
4. She Tried To Find Them Work
During this period, the Hippodrome was where people went to see chariot racing and other sports, usually cheering for two major teams—the Blue faction and Green faction. Theodora’s late father had worked solely for the Greens, so her mother thought she and her children could find work with them, but the faction ultimately refused. On the other hand, the Blue faction saw this and felt sorry for the struggling family, agreeing to bring them on.
Unfortunately, her line of work meant something very different back in her day.
5. She Had No Choice
Once again, the most extensive record of this point in Theodora’s life comes from Procopius, who wrote about what kind of work she had to do to provide for her family. According to him, she joined one of Rome’s many brothels at just 15 years old, and as was common at the time, often performed on stage as well in more explicit shows.
This could have been another exaggeration, though—or even a translation error.
6. He Was More Vague
While Procopius was the leading source on her life before the throne, he still wasn’t the only one, and fellow historian John of Ephesus shed a different light on her career, even if he didn’t mean to. While his account didn’t vary too much from Procopius’s, the classical Greek word he used was “porneion,” which, in another translation, could have been referring to her working as an actress like her mother.
Regardless of the truth, it didn’t make her life any easier.
7. They Can’t Know For Sure
At the end of the day, it’s unclear whether Theodora worked out of the brothels in Constantinople or as an actress, but most scholars tend to accept the latter as fact. However, modern experts have also pointed out that, while Procopius was likely embellishing the facts to make a more slanderous story, he probably didn’t fabricate his account without at least a shred of truth.
Either way, it wasn’t long before she was able to see the world—shortly before moving up in it.
8. She Traveled Abroad
Whatever Theodora’s early years held, she soon began to move up in the world as she became the concubine of an official named Hecebolus. This not only allowed her to become more familiar with high society but also to broaden her horizons as she followed him to North Africa. However, this relationship was ultimately doomed, ending in the messiest fashion imaginable.
Allegedly, the couple got into a massive fight while there, after which Theodora struck out on her own. Little did she know that she was about to get one step closer to the throne.
9. She Made A Connection
Theodora was out of a job, but that means she was free to go where she wanted, when she wanted. After kicking the mean-spirited Hecebolus to the curb, she made her way to Alexandria, Egypt. But once there, she didn't sit on her laurels—she kept moving. It was only a matter of time before she found her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—and the love of her life.
10. They Fell In Love
After Theodora had gotten her fill of traveling and realized she needed to find a new way to make ends meet, she returned home to Constantinople, where her fate took a dramatic turn. She wouldn’t need a job ever again. It’s unclear exactly what happened to bring her and the heir to the Empire together. However, as soon as she and Justinian met, he became entranced by her beauty, and they immediately hit it off.
They couldn’t see a future without one another, but there was one thing standing in the way.
11. They Couldn’t Be Together
Although Theodora became his mistress shortly after their first meeting, Justinian would have much rather married her—if doing so wasn’t impossible for him. Beyond the fact that the current Empress Euphemia wasn’t a fan of the idea, the laws at the time also forbade someone of his standing to marry an actress.
Fortunately, they knew someone who could change that.
12. He Changed The Rules
Theodora and Justinian faced a couple of challenges on their path to marriage, but all they had to do was be patient, as each hurdle seemed to disappear by 524 CE. That year, the Emperor made a move that solved the couple’s plight: He rewrote the laws, proclaiming that any nobleman could marry an actress with his permission. Not to mention that, since Empress Euphemia passed that year as well, no one in power stood opposed to their relationship.
Of course, this change wasn’t only for their benefit.
13. She Helped Her Family
Theodora allegedly had already given birth to a child by the time she met Justinian, likely from Hecebolus—but there were a few more complications. Even if Theodora married into nobility, her daughter was still illegitimate, meaning she wouldn’t receive the same perks. Fortunately, the Emperor’s new law extended to Theodora’s daughter, eventually allowing her to marry a nobleman herself.
At the same time, this may not have been her only child—even if she wished she was.
14. She Had Another
Even after Theodora married Justinian and joined the upper echelons of society, Procopius couldn’t help but continue to expose her secrets, whether he completely made them up or not. For instance, he wrote that she also gave birth to an illegitimate son, who came to meet Theodora after her marriage, only for her to slam the door in his face and have him kicked out of Constantinople.
Like most of Procopius’s writings, though, one thing gets in the way of its credibility—common sense.
15. They Doubt His Story
While many of Procopius’s stories stem from an iota of truth, the idea that she had another illegitimate child, whom she was so ashamed of that she sent him away in secret, was preposterous. As many historians have pointed out, she was already very open and accepting of her illegitimate daughter, so there’s no reason why she wouldn’t treat her son with the same compassion.
Regardless, Theodora was now married to the heir to the Empire—and their time would come soon enough.
16. She Became A Ruler
While it’s likely that Theodora had romantic feelings for Justinian, the promise of his ascension to the throne wasn’t a bad perk to becoming his bride, either. They didn’t even have to wait too long, as in 527 CE, Justinian’s father passed, and he took over as the new Roman Emperor—bringing Theodora along with him as his Empress.
Having been an actress for most of her life, she wasn’t about to resign herself to the background now.
17. He Listened To Her
Theodora was unlike any Empress the Romans had seen before, not because she hadn’t come from a noble family, but because she and Justinian truly embodied what it meant to rule together. According to Procopius, the Emperor allowed her to participate in state councils and generally put a lot of stock in her opinion—sometimes more than his own.
Even though this was from Procopius’s view, he wasn’t the only one talking about her.
18. She Played Her Role
Theodora undoubtedly faced her fair share of critics who thought she didn’t belong among the other nobility, but she already had plenty of experience acting like someone else. Before they knew it, she was fitting in perfectly in the Emperor’s court, building a reputation as a devoted wife, but also a shrewd and unwavering Empress.
At the same time, while she inspired no shortage of admirers, she also had a darker side.
19. They Were Scared Of Her
Theodora was already an expert in knowing exactly the right things to say and do, which helped her gain the admiration of her fellow nobles, but that wasn’t the only thing she earned. While most sources highlight her best qualities, Procopius and several other accounts mention just how cruel and vindictive she could be.
To be fair, her and Justinian’s attitudes didn’t help to change this image.
20. They Had Demands
Although many spoke of Theodora’s piety, she and Justinian were still royalty, and both expected their senators to act as such. Not ones to avoid pomp and circumstance, they insisted that, whenever they entered a room, any such officials present were to bow in reverence and kiss the feet of the couple.
At the same time, she made it her business to help others when she could—especially in affairs of the heart.
21. She Set Them Up
Theodora’s daughter already had a bright future ahead of her, but the Empress wanted to do the same for the rest of her family—so she decided to play matchmaker. Along with securing a great marriage for her sister, Comito, to General Sittas, she managed to keep the throne in the family by setting up her niece with the Emperor’s nephew and heir, Justin II.
Not to mention, for all her extravagance, she never forgot her best quality.
22. She Looked Out For Others
Theodora’s desire to help people wasn’t only reserved for her family members, especially since she knew the hardships of those who grew up as she did, and wanted to use her influence for good. Not only did she free many of the women working in brothels, but she also established a convent to provide them with safety and support.
She found great fulfillment in this work, but she knew it wasn’t enough.
23. She Shut Them Down
While Theodora could have continued freeing women from brothels for the rest of her life, she knew that wouldn’t fix the core of the issue—but she had the resources to do so. Together with her husband, she prohibited forced sex work and closed down brothels across the Byzantine Empire.
Even then, there was one more thing she needed to do for these women.
24. She Helped Them Move On
Even with the help of her convent, those Theodora freed would still need some way to get back on their feet and move on with their lives—and thankfully, she thought of that. For each woman she helped escape from the brothels, she provided them with clothes and enough money to give them a fighting chance.
Still, she was nowhere near done with her work and decided to push the envelope even more.
25. She Took It More Seriously
Although she had a soft spot for those she most related to, Theodora made it her business to help women of all walks of life—and bring their tormentors to justice. Enacting a new law, she made it punishable by execution for anyone to force themselves onto a person, no matter how prominent in society they were. Going even further, she added that all the culprit's possessions would go to the victim.
Meanwhile, she faced yet another opponent—and this time, a more personal one.
26. They Were At Odds
Theodora and Justinian certainly tackled many issues together as a team, but they weren’t on the same page about everything, especially when faith came into play. Historians believe that Theodora adopted the Christian doctrine of Miaphysitism during her time in Alexandria. However, the Emperor was trying to unite all denominations under Chalcedonian Christianity, and she actively opposed his efforts.
This rift pulling them apart only grew worse—or so it seemed.
27. They Were Acting
Seeing how Theodora worked against her husband, many of those who supported Justinian’s Chalcedonian goals began to criticize the Empress publicly, calling her a heretic. However, the issue may never have been that serious to the couple, as several sources have claimed that the two of them were playing a clever and convincing game—supposedly only acting like enemies.
At the same time, that didn’t mean her faith was any less true.
28. She Protected Them
As Empress, Theodora received no shortage of insults based on her Miaphysite views, but this was nothing compared to the danger most others with the same beliefs faced. The rest of Rome was against them, so, opening her heart and her home, she allowed persecuted Miaphisites to find safety in the palace.
Of course, she and the Emperor were still aligned on many views, even if this sparked problems in different ways.
29. They Picked A Side
As the rulers of Rome, Theodora and Justinian’s opinions carried an immense weight, and could really affect the world around them—such as in the case of the Nika Riots. Expected to pick a faction of the Hippodrome to support, the couple sided with the Blues, but this only caused more strife as the Greens grew bitter toward the royals.
As they soon found out, this was more than a simple disagreement between fans.
30. They Made It Through
Tensions were already high due to Justinian’s increase in taxes, but he only added fuel to the fire after a riot broke out in the Hippodrome—and he refused to show mercy. One member of each of the Blue and Green factions survived the resulting executions, but while many urged Justinian to grant them clemency afterward, he remained unconvinced.
Unsurprisingly, the factions took their aggression toward each other and redirected it to one man—the Emperor.
31. They Turned On Him
Seeing two of their own members back on the chopping block after they survived one execution attempt, the Blue and Green factions demanded that Justinian issue them pardons—but he couldn’t be swayed. That's when things turned ugly. Putting aside their own differences, the factions began shouting at the Emperor and Empress, crying the word “Nika,” which translates to “conquer”. In a blur, the outraged chanting turned to action as an even greater riot broke out.
This wasn’t just aimless destruction, though—they had a plan in mind.
32. They Tried To Replace Him
As rioters flooded the streets, they destroyed everything in their path and set many of the buildings ablaze, but while this was to demonstrate their anger, they had one true goal: to overthrow Justinian. Choosing Hypatius, the nephew of a former Emperor, the rioters planned to charge into the palace and replace Justinian with their new ruler.
However, they underestimated the willpower of one person in particular—and it wasn’t the Emperor.
33. She Refused To Leave
With the rioters at the gates and calling for his removal from the throne, Justinian only had a couple of options left—and he chose to run. Calling a meeting with his officials, they all seemed to agree that fleeing was the best decision, but one voice stood out. Theodora argued that Justinian should face his people head-on, stating it was better for him to meet his end as an Emperor than spend the rest of his life running and hiding.
Ultimately, Justinian made the smartest decision he could: He listened to her.
34. She Changed Their Minds
Justinian already put a lot of stock into Theodora’s opinions, but as she finished making her point, even the other officials knew she was speaking the truth. Abandoning their escape plans, Justinian and the others ordered their guards to meet the rioters in battle and put a stop to them instead.
In the end, she again proved to be both clever and bold—but mercy wasn’t her strong suit this time.
35. He Wiped Them Out
Staying put to fight the oncoming rioters, Justinian knew his terror had been for nothing, as his men put about 30,0000 of them to the sword. To make an example, some sources claim that Theodora even ordered the execution of Hypatius in the aftermath, despite his insistence that he had no idea about the plan to install him as the new Emperor.
Unbeknownst to them at the time, these actions had even bigger consequences.
36. She Saved Them All
By the time the Emperor put down the rioting, much of Constantinople was in ruins, and he and Theodora had a lot of work ahead of them in rebuilding—but it could have been much worse. Had Theodora remained silent and allowed her husband to flee, the whole Byzantine Empire would have likely descended into chaos as the political landscape shifted to fill his place.
She soon found herself opposed to the Emperor once again—but this time on a larger scale.
37. She Found Someone New
It wasn’t long before the couple faced their next crisis as Pope Timothy III of Alexandria soon passed, and someone had to take his place—but not just anyone. In line with his usual motives, Justinian tried to find a Chalcedonian candidate, but Theodora wasn’t having it. Instead, she conspired with several other prominent leaders to install the Miaphysite disciple Theodosius as the new pope in 535 CE.
Still, while she was used to coming out on top, she couldn’t win them all.
38. She Lost Her Pope
Although Theodora succeeded in making Theodosius the new Pope, they wouldn’t be able to celebrate their victory for long—and the Emperor didn’t like losing. The strength and influence of Justinian’s Chalcedonian supporters were too powerful, and while Theodosius maintained the papacy for the rest of his life, the Emperor exiled him a year into it.
Even so, this wouldn’t be the last time the couple went head-to-head on their faith.
39. They Both Wanted It
Along with supporting their respective doctrines, the couple also wanted to spread their beliefs to those outside of the Empire, even if this only led to more competition. In 540 CE, the two of them set their sights on the Kingdom of Nobatae, but while Theodora wanted to convert its people to Miaphysitism, Justinian obviously had contradicting goals.
It seemed like victory would go to whoever was fastest—and neither would back down.
40. They Made It A Race
Enjoying what was likely nothing more than a friendly competition for them, neither of the two rulers gave up, and they prepared expeditions for their chosen missionaries. Hoping to win over the King of Nobatae and gain a foothold in the Kingdom, Justinian gave his missionaries presents to pass on, but Theodora had her own plans in mind.
There was no way she was losing to her husband again, and she wasn’t afraid to play dirty.
41. She Asked For A Favor
Theodora couldn’t do anything herself to intervene in her husband’s efforts, but with her brain and near limitless connections, she wouldn’t have to. Calling in a favor from her friend, the Duke of Theibaid, she asked him to ensure that her missionaries would arrive in Nobatae first by impeding Justinian’s embassy on its journey.
Put into a tough position, the Duke still had a choice to make, but one thing made it easier.
42. He Slowed Them Down
If the Duke of Thebaid agreed to help Theodora, he would technically be working against the Emperor, which could result in a harsh penalty for treason, but that wasn’t what scared him. Knowing Theodora had a reputation for being vindictive, the Duke did as she asked and stalled the Emperor’s expedition, allowing the Miaphysite missionaries to meet the King of Nobatae and convert him first.
While Theodora was a networking expert, there were some friendships she just couldn’t tolerate.
43. They Didn’t Get Along
Although many of the nobility in Constantinople were eager to get on Theodora’s good side, she didn’t always see eye to eye with everyone, especially if they were clearly out to get the royal couple. Such was the case with the praetorian prefect, John the Cappadocian, who was quite vocal about his disdain for Justinian’s reign. This was something Theodora couldn’t abide, and she wanted him out.
As always, though, she had a vicious plan to get what she wanted.
44. She Tricked Him
Working with Antonina, the wife of Roman General Belisarius, Theodora crafted a scheme that would get John the Cappadocian out of her life for good—and all it took was one lie. After Antonina passed information on to John about a fake conspiracy against Justinian, Theodora overheard him speaking of treason against the Emperor, which was enough for her to strip him of his position.
Unfortunately, while she had no way of knowing, her time was coming to an end.
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45. She Met Her Demise
As Empress to Justinian, Theodora practically had the Byzantine Empire in the palm of her hand, but there were still some things beyond her control—namely, her own mortality. Sadly, around 548 CE, her health declined as she became seriously ill, and in late June that year, she finally passed.
However, even this presented a brand new mystery in her life.
46. They Weren’t Sure What It Was
At the time of Theodora’s passing, the exact cause of her ailment wasn’t totally clear, except that the Greek word used to describe it usually translates to “cancer”. While in reality, this specific term could have been in reference to any number of ulcers or growths, most historians believe she likely suffered from and ultimately succumbed to ductal carcinoma.
Despite all her philanthropy, there were a few people she didn’t get around to helping—but that’s where her husband came in.
47. He Helped Her Family
Many admired how loyal a wife and Empress Theodora was to Justinian, but at the same time, he was just as devoted to her, even after she passed. They never had any children, but in wanting to do right by her loved ones, he appointed her daughter and grandsons to high-ranking positions in the government.
But that was only the tip of the iceberg.
48. He Never Forgot Her
As he and Theodora never had children together, the easiest way for Justinian to gain an immediate heir was to find a new wife first, but he just didn’t have the heart for it. He never married anyone else, and even over a decade after the Empress’s passing, he visited her final resting place and paid his respects.
Despite all their disagreements and heated clashes, he wouldn’t let her legacy disappear.
49. He Carried Her Torch
In life, Justinian may have enjoyed the rivalry of faith between himself and his wife, but now that she was gone, he wanted to further some of the work that was closest to her heart. Not only did he continue to protect and support the Miaphysite refugees in Constantinople, but he also worked towards bridging the gap between them and the Chalcedonians.
Of course, he was far from the only one in Rome who loved Theodora.
50. She Was A Star
Coming from her background as an actress, Empress Theodora knew how to make herself larger than life and became such an icon that her people continued to feel her presence long after she was gone. It was clear that Justinian’s reign would never be the same without her, and as one expert stated, “No empress left so profound a mark on the imagination of her people as did Theodora”.
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