This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodora-Byzantine-empress-died-548, Ancient Origins - Theodora: From Humble Beginnings to Powerful Empress Who Changed History, Theodora - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). She was social, witty, supremely self-confident, and never lost her head in a crisis. Justinian created a set of laws called the Justinian Code. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. But the empire was never really united and began dismantling within two years. Marrying Theodora In 525, Justinian married Theodora. The aristocracy of Byzantium didn't fully trust Theodora, at least not at first. In 532, for example, an outbreak of civil unrest and rioting over some of Justinian's more authoritarian attitudes nearly forced him to flee Constantinopl… Theodora proved her political intelligence at an angry taxpayer crisis in A.D 532. He was a strong leader and he controlled the military, was Supreme Judge, and he made laws. In 391 and 392, he issued a series of edicts essentially banning pagan religion. Little is known of Theodora’s early life, but a combination of the official version with that found in the highly coloured Secret History of Procopius of Caesarea probably provides the best explanation. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. On April 4, 527, Justin crowned Justinian and Theodora emperor and empress. As mistress to Justinian, Theodora's beauty and intelligence made such an impression that he elevated her to the rank of patrician, where she joined the aristocratic families of the empire. Sign Up For Our Newsletter Still, Justinian sought to unite his empire in religious matters. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. He could also persevere, sustaining long-range plans in spite of serious reverses—though he became unnerved when in danger. It was therefore the duty of Justinian, as it was for later Byzantine emperors, to promote the good government of the church and to uphold orthodox teaching. Theodora Empress Of Byzantium By Paolo Cesaretti 1751 Words | 8 Pages. This code said that the emperor made all of the laws and interpreted the laws as well. His army defeated the rebels and Justinian restored order and strengthened his power of emperor thanks to taking Theodora's advice. The Monophysites, centered in Egypt, controlled the grain exporting regions of the empire. Justinian I - Justinian I - Ecclesiastical policy: In the Byzantine Empire, church and state were indissolubly linked as essential aspects of a single Christian empire that was thought of as the terrestrial counterpart of the heavenly polity. "There are two great gifts which God, in his love for man, has granted from on high: the priesthood and the imperial dignity," he wrote. A peace is agreed in532 with a new Persian monarch, Khosrau I (who breaks it dramatically in his raid on Antioch in 540). When Justinian was crowned in 527, he named as co-regent his young wife Theodora. How was Justinian and Theodora's Byzantine Empire different from Western Europe during the same time period? http://bit.ly/EHPatreonWatch the Justinian and Theodora series! Her death, possibly from cancer or gangrene, was a severe blow to Justinian. She was 15 years his junior and his opposite in nearly every way. If both church and state perform their duties well, a "general harmony will result." 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