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The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian
Even by modern standards, the Empress Theodora (?-548) had a remarkable rise to power. Born into the lowest class of Byzantine society, she worked as an actress in burlesque theater. Yet she attracted the love of the future emperor Justinian, who, to the astonishment of proper society, made her not only his wife but also his partner in government. Justinian's respect for and trust in Theodora gave her power in her own right unmatched by almost any other Roman or Byzantine empress.
In this book, James Allan Evans provides a scholarly, yet highly accessible account of the life and times of the Empress Theodora. He follows her from her childhood as a Hippodrome bearkeeper's daughter to her imperial roles as Justinian's most trusted counselor and as an effective and powerful advocate for the downtrodden. In particular, he focuses on the ways in which Theodora worked to improve the lives of women. He also explores the pivotal role Theodora played in the great religious controversy of her time, involving a breach between sects in the Christian church.
In this book, James Allan Evans provides a scholarly, yet highly accessible account of the life and times of the Empress Theodora. He follows her from her childhood as a Hippodrome bearkeeper's daughter to her imperial roles as Justinian's most trusted counselor and as an effective and powerful advocate for the downtrodden. In particular, he focuses on the ways in which Theodora worked to improve the lives of women. He also explores the pivotal role Theodora played in the great religious controversy of her time, involving a breach between sects in the Christian church.
172 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2002
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About the author
James Allan Evans
11 books8 followersJames Allan Evans is Professor Emeritus of Classical Near Eastern and Religious Studies at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 5, 2022
James Allan Evans really delivered on this book! For those who have no idea about anything to do with this book, it is a book of various historical sources on Empress Theodora. This book was extremely helpful in my research of Empress Theodora and I would highly recommend it anyone who is interested in learning more about the promiscuous empress!
December 12, 2023
Such a powerful person! I really enjoyed this book!
August 31, 2014
A biography of a truly remarkable woman.
April 15, 2018
Evans deftly contrasts selected accounts penned by historians of Late Antiquity with chronicles of the early church to enlarge the limited record on Theodora’s legacy to 6th Century Christian Byzantium. In some of these reports, the sole consort of Justinian is either praised or vilified for her support of the Monophysite cause – which provided the catalyst for a rift from which the catholic and orthodox bodies ultimately came into being. In other histories, she is portrayed as a demimonde and scheming heretic, who manipulated Justinian into abandoning the restoration of the Roman Empire to support campaigns in the East.
But the author, Professor Emeritus of Classics at the University of British Columbia, draws together the evidence for a relationship that reflected a mutual respect for each other’s views and Justinian’s open acknowledgement of his partner’s counsel in religious matters and issues of state. The latter was no less integral to Theodora’s many causes, which included the property rights of women and their protection against the predatory circumstances of the milieu.
In a period overshadowed by the inextricable church/state dyarchy, Theodora’s influence was viewed as unique and dangerous. In Evans’ scholarly account, she is seen sharing power with a ruler at a time and in a culture that could not accept such an alliance. But after her early death, Justinian continued to pursue the middle ground between the religious orthodoxies vying for authority throughout his realm and maintained the legal protections lobbied by his wife to women in the empire.
But the author, Professor Emeritus of Classics at the University of British Columbia, draws together the evidence for a relationship that reflected a mutual respect for each other’s views and Justinian’s open acknowledgement of his partner’s counsel in religious matters and issues of state. The latter was no less integral to Theodora’s many causes, which included the property rights of women and their protection against the predatory circumstances of the milieu.
In a period overshadowed by the inextricable church/state dyarchy, Theodora’s influence was viewed as unique and dangerous. In Evans’ scholarly account, she is seen sharing power with a ruler at a time and in a culture that could not accept such an alliance. But after her early death, Justinian continued to pursue the middle ground between the religious orthodoxies vying for authority throughout his realm and maintained the legal protections lobbied by his wife to women in the empire.
April 2, 2016
Congratulations to professor James Evans for his deep interest for the period of Justinianus and Theodora. He knows in depth the Byzantine history, he can easily make comparissons between ancient texts and argue with them with logical arguments based on the daily life of that period. He uses his sharp mind to present the life of Theodora, the way she was thinking and acting before and during her governing.
The book starts with the young age of Theodora, analyzing the social norms of Constantinople (religion, hippodrome, jobs). It is moving fast how she was married with Justinanus, what her first actions were, how she was governign protecting the innocent, the unjust, the religious group of monophysite, the poor... and how she was hunting her enemies with determination and cruelty.
Theodora helped making new laws protecting the weak, helping the social position of the women. She played the most important role in the Nika Rebellion keeping the empire alive, she helped her husband govern and choose loyal companions. She also cristianised the Novads turning them to allies. She helped bridging the gap between christians orthodoxs and monophysites, because she and the Emperor, Justinianus had developed theological backgrounds in order to bring peace to the empire.
Theodora and Justinanus had a deep relationship based in love and respect. They were cooperating finding the best way to solve any problem for the good of the Byzantines. Justinanus was a great emperor who cared for his people.
Another think I like in this book is that the writer keeps a friendly position for the favor of Theodora and explains his reasons every time comparing facts and texts. It is really a great book for anyone who wants to learn about this great Empress and how capable this amazing woman was, how her success was based in love, capability, cunning, sharpness of mind and determined acts.
The book starts with the young age of Theodora, analyzing the social norms of Constantinople (religion, hippodrome, jobs). It is moving fast how she was married with Justinanus, what her first actions were, how she was governign protecting the innocent, the unjust, the religious group of monophysite, the poor... and how she was hunting her enemies with determination and cruelty.
Theodora helped making new laws protecting the weak, helping the social position of the women. She played the most important role in the Nika Rebellion keeping the empire alive, she helped her husband govern and choose loyal companions. She also cristianised the Novads turning them to allies. She helped bridging the gap between christians orthodoxs and monophysites, because she and the Emperor, Justinianus had developed theological backgrounds in order to bring peace to the empire.
Theodora and Justinanus had a deep relationship based in love and respect. They were cooperating finding the best way to solve any problem for the good of the Byzantines. Justinanus was a great emperor who cared for his people.
Another think I like in this book is that the writer keeps a friendly position for the favor of Theodora and explains his reasons every time comparing facts and texts. It is really a great book for anyone who wants to learn about this great Empress and how capable this amazing woman was, how her success was based in love, capability, cunning, sharpness of mind and determined acts.
February 8, 2017
This is NOT the book I read. What I read is not on Goodreads [and that's OK], probably because it was published in Istanbul.
Empress Theodora
by Radi Dikici
transl. by John W. Baker
Evans's book is listed in the bibliography at the end of this novel.
I had known nothing at all about the Byzantine emperor Justinian and the empress Theodora [500 - 548], so this novel was good as a way of introducing me to them and to the place and time . On the whole the novel does not seem very well written; of course it was written in Turkish for a Turkish audience and I have no idea how well done it is for that purpose.
The translation gives us an impression of what is being said. I can't of course judge the quality of the translation. The copy editing leaves a great deal to be desired.
There seem to be at least 2 novels about Empress Theodora by Western authors; I 'should' read one of them, but probably will not [because of so many other books waiting to be read].
Who you can trust is a major issue for the characters in this book. Theodora is more cautious than Justinian, and orders or requests the execution of a great many officers/officials, some unnecessarily [according to the story here]. Quite frightening... In most ways, however, Theodora is presented as highly intelligent and astute, much more involved in affairs of state than was usual for an empress.
Empress Theodora
by Radi Dikici
transl. by John W. Baker
Evans's book is listed in the bibliography at the end of this novel.
I had known nothing at all about the Byzantine emperor Justinian and the empress Theodora [500 - 548], so this novel was good as a way of introducing me to them and to the place and time . On the whole the novel does not seem very well written; of course it was written in Turkish for a Turkish audience and I have no idea how well done it is for that purpose.
The translation gives us an impression of what is being said. I can't of course judge the quality of the translation. The copy editing leaves a great deal to be desired.
There seem to be at least 2 novels about Empress Theodora by Western authors; I 'should' read one of them, but probably will not [because of so many other books waiting to be read].
Who you can trust is a major issue for the characters in this book. Theodora is more cautious than Justinian, and orders or requests the execution of a great many officers/officials, some unnecessarily [according to the story here]. Quite frightening... In most ways, however, Theodora is presented as highly intelligent and astute, much more involved in affairs of state than was usual for an empress.
February 8, 2014
Tõenäoliselt on raamatut lihtsam lugeda, kui tead rohkem selle ajastu tausta ja nendest isikutest. Võrreldes Ranavalona raamatuga, on tekst hüppav ja keeruline jälgida.
Aga mööda külgi selle raamatu lugemine maha ei voola :)
Aga mööda külgi selle raamatu lugemine maha ei voola :)
September 29, 2014
Very interesting. This book gives a detailed description of Theodora's life without being bogged down with history that surrounds her, yet giving enough details that everything that goes on is understandable.
May 10, 2014
A fascinating history of a remarkable woman. More later.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews