Byzantine Empire: Theodora’s influence in Justinian’s Code
At a time when leaders were overwhelmingly male, having an empress with a great amount of power was a drastic change. Some may have thought she never did anything, but Theodora’s impact on gender roles in the Byzantine Empire was incredible. The effect Theodora caused can be seen by the way she influenced Justinian’s Code and the personal effect Theodora had on women.
The Byzantine Empire was a tremendous empire, nevertheless, it prospered and then it fell. In the year 330, the Greek city of Byzantium was rebuilt by Roman emperor Constantine and was renamed to Constantinople. Due to its geographic location, Constantinople became an essential part of the European and Asian trade routes. “For centuries, the city’s favorable location made it Europe’s busiest marketplace”. Between 410 and 413 CE, the Theodosian Walls were built, meaning the empire was protected from invaders by both sea and land. The Byzantine empire thrived from 527 to 565 under emperor Justinian and his wife, Empress Theodora. Justinian’s main goal as emperor was to restore ancient Rome by reclaiming the empire's lost lands. Emperor Justinian truly was one of the most intelligent and accomplished emperors of the Byzantine empire. After his death, the empire slowly began to disappear as the Arab invaders/attackers brought in the “new” religion known as Islam. Due to this invasion, on Tuesday, May 29 1453 CE the civilization ceased to exist.
Empress Theodora did not have the stereotypical childhood or even adulthood one would expect an empress to have. She was neither born with power nor grow up with a powerful family. Theodora was born into a low-class family who worked in a circus. During her early years, her mother trained her to become an actress and due to this Theodora became the star of the show. Growing up in the theater world she was exposed to, as some would say the oldest profession of the time, prostitution. She became a child prostitute and at age 14, gave birth. It is said that at age 18 she gave up her career to be Hecebolus’ mistress. When Theodora ended her relationship with Hecebolus, she left and took the role of a wool spinner. As a wool spinner, she met Justinian and was his mistress until they got married in 525. In 527 they were crowned emperor Justinian and empress Theodora. Her influences on Justinian’s way of the ruling were so exceeding that many thought of her as ruler of Byzantium. Due to this, she was remembered as one of the first rulers who fought for women’s rights by precluding the trafficking of young girls and by helping divorced women get better benefits. The only portrait historians have of Theodora is the mosaic portrait in the Church of San Vitale, Ravenna. In this art piece, Theodora is depicted as a “woman of high status and equal to her husband”. Empress Theodora died from cancer on June 28 548 AD in Constantinople.
Nowadays the laws and legislations of many countries are based off Justinian’s Code. This is why Theodora’s influence in Justinian’s Code was crucial. Due to this, women were able to have more rights. For example, if a married couple decides to divorce then one-fourth of the property will go to the woman. The woman will also receive custody of the children. Another reason is how Theodora helped rape victims acquire justice from the rapist. In The Justinian Code (335AD) it states, “… those who perpetrate it, as well as those who aid them at the time, where they are caught in the act and surprised when committing it, can immediately be killed by the fathers or by the blood-relatives…”
Theodora participated in Justinian’s legal and spiritual reforms, and her involvement in the increase of the rights of women was substantial. She also expanded the rights of women in divorce and property ownership, instituted the death penalty for rape, forbade exposure of unwanted infants, gave mothers some guardianship rights over their children, and forbade the killing of a wife who committed adultery.
Theodora had a tremendous amount of power, and with it she did great things. For instance, one source tells a story of how Theodora personally changed various women’s lives. The story begins as empress Theodora calls to court all the sex traffickers and their victims she could find on the streets. In court, she adjures them to say the truth of what they had done and what they were doing. As this happens she orders their arrest and pays each one of them double to be able to set the victims free. This is one of the many times in which Theodora personally helped better women’s lives. “Theodora continued to better the lives of women like herself by playing an active role in the protection of prostitutes and orphans”.
Overall, Theodora made an important impact on women in Byzantine. The Byzantine Empire thrived and eventually fell, nevertheless, it is recognized by historians as an amazing empire. Due to Theodora’s influence in Justinian’s Code, women in modern-day are more equal. *** Orthodox Christians dedicated the day of February 11th of every year to Empress Theodora, a dedicated and incredible woman who fought for gender equality.
Work Cited Page
- Cartwright, Mark. 'Byzantine Empire.' Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 19 Sep 2018. Web. 28 Apr 2019.
- Duffy, Stella. “Theodora: the Empress from the Brothel.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 10 June 2010, www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/201-/jun/10/theodora-empress-from-the-brothel
- Ashfield, Katie. “Theodora, Empress of Byzantines.” Women in Antiquity , 27 Nov. 2018,
- https://womeninantiquity.wordpress.com/2018/11/27/theodora-empress-of-the-byzantines/
