amphitraete:

Empress Theodora (c. 500 – 28 June 548) of the Byzantine was the wife of Emperor Justinian I and ruled during the height of the empire. She was born either on Cyprus or Anatolia as one of three daughters of a bear trainer and a dancer. After her father’s death, she provided for her sisters by acting – and therefore also by working as a prostitute. She had several high-standing affairs until she, in 522, gave up acting and prostitution to become a wool spinner. Here, she charmed Prince Justinian with her beauty and wit, and when he inherited the Byzantine Empire, he repelled the law that prevented government officials from marrying actresses and married her. 

In January 532, riots (the Nika Riots) broke out against the rule of Justinian. When he and his officials prepared to flee the empire, Theodora held a passioned speech that convinced them all to stay and fight. Justinian killed almost 30.000 rebels but at last reconquered his kingdom. No one ever forgot that it was her that he owed his kingdom to.

After the riots, she and Justinian rebuilt Constantinople until it was one of the finest cities the world had seen for centuries, rebuilding aqueducts, bridges and over twenty-five churches. It was under her command that the Hagia Sophia was built, which is now considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and one of the architectural wonders of the world. Furthermore, she was very invested in women’s rights. She set up laws against forced prostitution, closed brothels and set up convents for former prostitutes. She also created the death penalty for rape and expanded the rights of women regarding divorce, property and guardianship over children.

She died at the age of 48, seemingly of breast cancer, loved by her husband and one of the most powerful and influential empresses of the Byzantine Empire – perhaps in history.

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