All About - History - Hitler Versus Stain

After Nika, it was clear that Justinian and his
empress were there to stay, and never again was
there such a serious challenge to his title.
Theodora had been instrumental in this
display of power, and is generally
considered to have saved the
day. It was not the only time
she was said to have saved
Justinian’s throne: when in
the early 540s Justinian lay
seriously ill with plague, it
was Theodora who effectively
took over the reins of state,
holding them until her
husband recovered.
Based on mutual respect and
affection as it was, the nature of
Theodora’s relationship with Justinian
meant that they were able to present a united
front, even when they differed in opinion. One
area where this was abundantly clear was in
Justinian devoted
much of his reign to
attempting to restore the
glory of Rome
matters of religion. Theodora had converted to the
controversial Monophysite brand of Christianity
at an early age, while the emperor was firm
in his Chalcedonian beliefs. The fact
they were able to maintain their
differences while keeping their
respect for each other and
working together as a united
force showed a lot. Here
again Theodora’s influence
can be seen; she not only
founded a Monophysite
monastery, but she also
offered protection in the palace
itself for those who were in
danger for their beliefs, sheltering
Monophysite bishops and leaders.
One in particular, Anthimus, the
patriarch of Constantinople, she sheltered for 12
years in her own chambers. Theodora is also said
to have outfoxed her own husband when it came
to the conversion of the people of Nobatae in
southern Egypt; Justinian had earmarked them
for the Chalcedonian faith, but through her wiles,
Theodora caused his missionaries to be delayed,
her own Monophysite men arriving first and
winning the people to the Monophysite cause.
Theodora died in Constantinople on 28 June
548. Her influence continued even after her death,
however, through the respect and honour Justinian
showed to her name, the emperor’s grief at her
funeral declared to be most genuine by those who
observed it. Not only did he maintain the promise
made to his wife to protect the Monophysite
community she had established, Justinian also
continued to enact legislation that dealt with the
rights of women as his wife had done during her
life, ensuring that Theodora’s legacy to the city that
had known most of her life was to live long after
her. Charismatic, bold and unforgettable, Theodora
remains one of the most fascinating and influential
empresses the Byzantine Empire had ever known.