The "Justinian Era" was a relatively strong period of the "Byzantine Empire", The Emperor Justinian was a very capable and outstanding ruler, under the leadership of Justinian, the "Justinian Era" carried out large-scale military activities to recover lost land and expanded the territory of the "Byzantine Empire".
The Empress Theodora of the "Byzantine Empire" made great contributions to the Justinian period, Theodora, the wife of Theodora of the Emperor Justinian, was the force behind him, in the reign of Justinian, his wife Theodora faced the danger of riots many times, and responded calmly, Theodora helped Justinian consolidate the imperial power, helped Justinian to develop and reform, and contributed to the development of the "Byzantine Empire".
Introduction to Theodora
According to historical records, Theodora was born in Constantinople in the "Byzantine Empire", an ordinary family, in which it can also be said to be a low class of the "Byzantine Empire", and Theodora's father was a bear trainer in the arena in Constantinople of the "Byzantine Empire".
Theodora's mother is not recorded, in Procopius's "Secret History" records that Theodora's father died very early, the mother was forced to let her daughters go to the arena to beg, after Theodora became an adult, Theodora worked as a burlesque actor in the burlesque theater, and soon her talent was discovered by the audience.
At the time, Theodora took advantage of every opportunity to act in burlesque, and soon gained a little fame in the burlesque world, and later met senior officials. Mingling among the high-ranking officials of the "Byzantine Empire" and meeting the governor of Pantapuris, Hersebulus, becoming his mistress and giving birth to a child, Theodora left Herseburus and traveled around the Orient because her status as a mistress was rarely respected by the upper class.
These bumpy experiences of Theodora had a great impact on the policies she carried out after she was promoted to empress, and the early Theodora sold art to survive cultivated her calm and calm character, Theodora's birth and early life experience are unfortunate, but it is precisely because of these experiences that she has cultivated her courageous character in the twists and turns of life, laying the foundation for Theodora to handle state affairs after becoming empress.
Theodora later returned to Constantinople in the "Byzantine Empire", and by chance, Theodora met Justinian, who fell in love with Theodora at first sight and began a frantic pursuit, not only that, Justinian also changed the decree for Theodora.
At that time, the decree of the "Byzantine Empire" did not allow senators or high-ranking officials to intermarry with commoners or prostitutes, and Theodora managed to persuade Justinian to repeal the old law and issue new laws, which stipulated that senators, high-ranking officials or nobles could intermarry with commoners or prostitutes, and after Justinian ascended the throne, Theodora was made empress and gave her certain political powers to jointly govern the "Byzantine Empire".
Empress Theodora and the time of Justinian
In the Justinian era, the "Byzantine Empire" flourished and had a vast territory, Andodora made suggestions for the governance of the "Byzantine Empire", and Theodora made great contributions to the political and economic development of the "Byzantine Empire" in the Justinian era, consolidating Justinian's throne and imperial power.
Characteristics of Justinian's era
The "Byzantine Empire" was a split from the Roman Empire, the "Byzantine Empire" has a history of more than a thousand years, experiencing the Constantine dynasty, Valentian Theodosius dynasty, Leo dynasty, Justin l Flavius lustinus and other dynasties, after several previous dynasties, "Byzantine Empire", "Byzantine Empire" Constantinople has been built more and more strongly.
Coupled with very few expeditions, it laid a solid foundation for the Justinian dynasty, whether in political stability, economic development or military expansion have accumulated strong strength, After Chastinian succeeded to the throne, he began the military strategy of the Eastern Expedition to the West, expanded the territory, and also recovered parts of Italy, Spain and other regions.
Theodora was the driving force behind Justinian I, not only promoted the progress of military strategy, but also in the development of the country's internal political reforms in the active and avant-garde, encouraging the development of industry and commerce, the construction of castles, churches, etc. Justinian I was the core figure of Justinian's era, and Theodora was justinian's weather vane, and his contribution to politics affected the development of the "Byzantine Empire".
Queen Theodora and Justinian
In 532, Theodora married Justinian, the commander of the Forbidden Army of the "Byzantine Empire", in Constantinople, and after Justinian ascended the throne, he listed Theodora as the co-ruler of the "Byzantine Empire" and became Justinian's right hand, which was undoubtedly a wise decision made by Justinian.
For example, during the Nika Rebellion, Theodora's courage and perseverance gave Justinian the right advice and advice, saving the "Byzantine Empire" Justinian's rule, suppressing the Nika Rebellion, and being called "superior to any man" by the officials of the time.
Theodora's influence on justinian-era policy
In justinian's time, the "Byzantine Empire" was basically in a stable state, and Justinian's biggest goal was to restore the "Byzantine Empire" to the glory of the Roman Empire and unify the Roman Empire, but In the process of Justinian's struggle for the goal, Theodora played a very important role in this process.
It was mainly manifested in Justinian's strategy for the internal political reform of the "Byzantine Empire", at the time of the palace coup, Theodora persuaded the emperor to cooperate with the emperor's various courses of action and tactics to suppress the rebellion, and at the same time, in justinian's strategy of external expansion, Theodora's military talent was displayed, which provided Justinian with a lot of courage and military strategy.
Impact on internal reform policies
During justinian's time, there were two major factions in Constantinople in the "Byzantine Empire", one was the Blue Party and the other was the Green Party, these two factions did nothing evil in Constantinople, killing and looting, Justinian and Theodora worked closely together and issued decrees to restrain the two parties, and no longer protected the atrocities of the two parties.
In the process, the interests of the elders and nobles in Constantinople led to Justinian's break with the two major factions, according to historical records, in 532 AD, the Nika Riot broke out in the arena, the two parties surrounded the city government, and rushed into the prison, released the prisoners, the riot intensified, the "Byzantine Empire" was in a riot, Justinian decided to abandon the city and flee.
But Theodora's calm and composed attitude. In the face of national riots and the country's peril, Theodora experienced the hardships of life and said: "I think that anyone who wears the imperial purple robe should never take it off again", at this time she became the main backbone of Justinian, as a woman, they are so calm and calm, Justinian was ashamed and free, decided to stay and fight back, Theodora told Justinian that the two parties were originally factional discord, starting from the internal contradictions between the two parties, intensifying the contradictions between the two parties.
At the same time, Theodora sent General Belisarius to lead an army to suppress the riot in the arena, according to Prokobi's "Secret History", about 30,000 people were killed, and the elders and nobles involved in the riot were exiled and their property confiscated, and it was because of Theodora's courage and thoughtfulness that the riot was put to rest.
It is precisely because of such an ordinary and noble woman, at a critical moment, single-handedly turned the tide, saved the peril of the "Byzantine Empire", calmed the social turmoil of the "Byzantine Empire", and after the riots subsided, she also won the admiration of the people, and her tenacious and resolute character impressed the court, and she was also favored by Justinian with her unique insights and insights.
Impact on feminism
The "Byzantine Empire" was a patriarchal society, women had weak and frivolous labels, women enjoyed very little power, and women's status was extremely low, Andodora had also become a mistress because of livelihood problems, but after Justinian ascended the throne, the law was changed to let Theodora rule the "Byzantine Empire" with him, from which it can be seen that women enjoy high power and status.
Especially after the "Nika Riot", Theodora showed a deep impression on people, Justinian in the process of law revision of the strong emphasis on the protection of women's power, and the promulgation of the "Justinian Code", in the preparation of the code, Although Theodora did not play a role in full control and decision-making, but, there is no doubt that Theodora influenced the legislation of the "Byzantine Empire", Theodora personally experienced the life of lower women, well aware of the various misfortunes of lower women.
The Code of Justinian was also more inclined to protect and help unfortunate women, and Theodora made a great contribution to the feminism of the Justinian period at that time, and it can also be said that Queen Theodora was the liberator of women and improved the status of women in the Justinian period.
In summary, Empress Theodora not only had a beautiful appearance, but also had a feminine gentleness and delicacy, was a shrewd and capable empress who could assist the government, and had many aspects of influence on the Justinian era, especially in the stability of imperial power and the protection of national stability and the unification of the country.
Of course, it is undeniable that Justinian himself was an excellent and wise monarch, and when Justinian made decisions, the delicate Theodora would give the monarch more advice, or when the monarch was not bold or courageous, Theodora would comfort Justinian, so Theodora's influence on the policy of justinian's time was profound.
bibliography
1. Su Chengjian, "On the Formation and Role of the "Chinese and Foreign Dynasties" in the Western Han Dynasty"
2. Zhao Ruijie, "TheOdora's Influence on the Internal Policy of the Justinian Era"
3. Qian Houlin's "Drama and Musicality Coexist."