Cambridge Ancient Hi.. - Index of

st sophia and the ‘reconquest’(c. 532,54) 77
native of Antioch, vividly describes their effects on different generations of
his own family (HE iv.29). Procopius has left a description of the plague’s
impact in Constantinople (Wars ii.22f.) which remains moving and credible
even when allowance is made for literary allusions to the famous plague
description in Thucydides, and the Syriac writer John of Ephesus has
recorded the devastation it caused in rural Asia Minor. 82 It is of course dangerous
to rely on impressionistic accounts in literary sources, and the outbreaks
have left few clear traces in the archaeological record in the east.
However, Justinian’s legislation immediately after the outbreak in the
capital demonstrates the government’s concern for the effect on revenues
when so many tax-payers were dying; prices rose, and had to be controlled
by a law of 544. 83 The emperor fell ill himself, but foiled those who were
plotting about the succession by recovering. There were other disasters,
notably earthquakes, one of which destroyed the famous law school at
Berytus, 84 and in June 548 the empress Theodora died; 85 her death was a
severe blow to her husband, who never remarried.
Theodora’s influence, like that of Justinian’s favourite ministers, was
clearly a major factor in the internal politics of the reign. While
Monophysites had good reason to be grateful for her support and cast her
in the role of repentant sinner turned virtuous protectress, Procopius saw
her as an unprincipled schemer who would stop at little to advance her
favourites. Theodora remained conscious of her powers of sexual attraction;
she took care of herself well and knew how to exploit her beauty. 86
According to Procopius, she attended meetings of the imperial consistory
and effectively ruled in partnership with her husband; the two together were
like a pair of bloodthirsty demons or furies in human form such as one can
read about in the ancient poets. This portrayal, however, which manifestly
depends on misogynistic prejudice, may also arise from personal resentment.
87 It is clear enough that Theodora protected Monophysite monks and
clergy, though apparently with Justinian’s knowledge, for he would also join
her in personal visits to and discussions with those who had taken refuge in
the palace. But Procopius also claims that she brought about the downfall of
her enemies, chief among them Justinian’s minister John the Cappadocian,
who had been quickly reinstated after his dismissal from the praetorian prefecture
during the Nika revolt; Procopius, John Lydus and the church historian
Zachariah of Mytilene are all highly critical of his administration, but it
was Theodora, Procopius claims, who brought about John’s fall in a.d. 541. 88
Justinian was reluctant to carry the policy through, and despite enforced
ordination, John was able to recover some of his property and apparently to
82 Full references: Stein, Bas-Empire ii.758–61; Allen (1979); see Durliat (1989) for a minimizing view,
and against this, Whitby (1995). 83 Edict 7,pref.;Nov. 122. 84 Stein, Bas-Empire ii.756–8.
85 PLRE iii.1241. 86 Procop. SH 10.11f., 15.6f. 87 SH 12.14; see Cameron, Procopius 67–83.
88 PLRE iii.627–35, s.v. Ioannes 11.
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