When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 1

From 527 to 565 AD, Emperor Justinian I and his Empress Theodora ruled over the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople. Together, they reshaped the Mediterranean world, weathering political upheaval, wars of conquest, and an outbreak of bubonic plague. In this first installment of a multi-part series, we explore the early years of New Rome’s greatest power couple. Rising from a disreputable background in the brothels of Constantinople, the actress-turned-informant Theodora catches the eye of Prince Justinian, heir to the Byzantine throne...

SOURCES:

Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape.

Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 

Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian

Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 

Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 

Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium.

Procopius. The Secret History. 

Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 

Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy

Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 

Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy

Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor.

Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018

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