The lecherous, cruel American woman becomes the most powerful queen

Thanks to the charm and sharpness, a female dancer who worked in the house became a powerful queen, helping her husband to drive the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Rome) to the most flourishing stage.

According to Ancient Origins, people often say 'behind every great man is a greater woman'. Justinian I was one of the greatest emperors of the Byzantine Empire .

Artwork of Queen Theodora.

During his reign, Justinian returned the Byzatine Empire to a glorious period, capturing Italy and North Africa, a land once belonged to the mighty Western Roman Empire. Justinian I also proposed breakthrough innovations. Behind an Emperor like Justinian was an equally great woman, Queen Theodora .

Poor background

Theodora was born into a poor family under the domination of Byzantine Empire in the 5th century. Theodora family has 3 sisters, father is a bear trainer in the arena and his mother is a dance dancer. Happy shopping in pubs.

Despite his childhood, but Theodora grew more and more beautiful, it could be said to be the most beautiful house with sepia hair, healthy skin, black eyes and extremely sexy lips.

At the age of adulthood, Theodora agreed to allow her to become a dancer to earn money to cover her life.

With the beautiful beauty and skillful dancing skills, Theodora quickly merged the lowest-skilled occupation in society then, using her body to entertain and know how many men in pubs.

The event in Theodora's life happened when the parents passed away because of illness. The three sisters also lived in isolation. Theodora was so lonely and depressed that he started his indulgent life in a brothel, using his body to earn a living through the day.

Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.

At the age of 16. Theodora followed a Syrian official named Hecebolus to Libya, because he was appointed governor of the province. 4 years later, she returned to her homeland.

Theodora then converted to Catholicism, quit his old job, and became a knitting worker at a house near the royal palace.

Drop into the blue eyes of the Emperor

At that time. The Byzantine Emperor Anastase had just died. The court appeared to have a bloody kingly battle, one of them was courtiers supporting the Prince, and the other was supporters of the commander of Justin musketeers.

Justin was just a doting old man, but was helped by his nephew Justinian. As a result, Justin's faction defeated the Crown Prince, taking the throne in 518. Although he was named Emperor, Justin actually gave all his power to Justinian's grandson.

Justinian is one of the beauty enthusiasts of the dancer at the time. When he had power in his hand, Justinian was eager to get Theodora like never before.

Historian Procopius once wrote: "Theodora is Justinian's most passionate affair. What grace she requires, or any treasure of gold, he is happy for her as much as she wishes."

Not just that, even Justinian wanted to officially marry Theodora as his wife. But strictly, the rules at that time forbid poor women dancers and prostitutes from marrying nobles and royalty. Without accepting this, Justinian used his influence to change the law.

Theodora is famous for being a magnificent beautiful queen.

On April 1, 2727, Emperor Justin abdicated, Justinian became the new king of Rome and Theodora became the emperor of the Byzantine Empire. For the first and only time in history, there is a dancer who steps up to the highest rank.

Jump to the top of power

Although he reached the peak of power for a woman, but the lecherous past of Theodora's cheerful dance is not easy to erase. Opponents say this is an insult.

The protesters gathered a powerful force, creating a coup called Nika in the Byzantine Empire's capital Constantinople. The scale coup resulted in half of the city being burned down and tens of thousands of people killed.

Unstable right in the capital, Justinian was worried. At that time, the powerful Byzantine had to negotiate with the Persian Empire to the east.

In a fit of frustration, Justinian endorsed the exile solution. He commanded the transport of all the treasures of gold and silver in the palace down the ship to stay off the coast.

The Byzantine Emperor dared not let Theodora know this decision and waited until the last minute to take Theodora away.

At that time, Theodora was furious and announced that he would not leave the capital, even half a step. " No! A thousand times! I don't approve of the plan to defeat and withdraw cowardly like that! I don't abdicate, and decide to protect my Queen!".

Queen Theodora then ordered to reverse everything on the ship to the palace. Because she found that her husband had no capacity to resolve the crisis, she did it alone.

Sketch the image of Queen Theodora.

Taking advantage of the opportunity of the two factions to oppose discord, Theodora split and used the money to buy off. She thought of a vicious conspiracy when she dragged the rebel faction to the big square and ordered a massacre of 30,000 people, ending the rebellion after only a week.

It can be said that Justinian sat firmly on the throne thanks to Theodora's assertiveness. After the uprising, Justinian and Theodora built and reformed, making Constantinople a splendid capital for hundreds of years.

Theodora also participates in legal reforms in increasing women's rights. She has passed laws prohibiting forced prostitution at closed brothels or granting women's rights to divorce and property rights. She set up a death sentence for rape, prohibiting the murder of adulterous wives. Many monasteries were opened to bring in prostitutes prostitutes.

On June 28, 548, Theodora died at age 48 for cancer. The history notes that Justinian cried with tears at the queen's funeral.

Today, historians still argue when evaluating Theodora. She is considered lecherous and cruel but is also a great historical figure.

Theodora was named one of the most powerful women in the history of the world when indirectly bringing the Byzantine Empire flourishing and participating in the process of promoting gender equality, bringing women's rights.