The Reign Of 522: Justinian And Theodora Riots

In 522, Theodora met and courted Justinian. When they met Justinian was of noble ranking in the Byzantine empire and Theodora was a prostitute. In order to sanctify their marriage Justinian had to pass multiple laws that would allow men of noble birth to be able to marry actresses. After these laws were passes Justinian and Theodora married. After their marriage Theodora was just as influential in Byzantine politics as her husband. Without Theodora, Justinian’s reign may have been cut short due to the Nika Riots (Potter).They were also able to pass laws that bettered the lives of women in the Byzantine empire by protecting forewomen and the passing of rape protection laws (Codex Justinianus,Vll.24.i. and Nghiem, pg 100). Theodora also fought

“As the early years of Justinian’s reign proceeded, the number of unpopular officials was bound to increase as a result of the growing ruthlessness and oppression of his government. This is the background to the outbreak of 532” (Barker, pg 84). A divide among the Byzantine peoples caused the riots and even resulted in the burning of the famous Hagia Sophia church. As the small outbursts continued to occur, “It was plain that, in a rare reversal of the usual situation, the two factions had buried their differences and had agreed to cooperate in pressing their mutual demands” (Barker, pg 85). Together the two separate factions posed a great threat to Justinian’s rule. Many of Justinian’s officials, and even Justinian himself, began to fear for their lives. In order to save himself, Justinian considered fleeing Constantinople. In response to this Theodora replied, “For as for myself, I approve a certain ancient saying that royalty is a good burial-shroud” (Procopius, Book I, chap. xxiv. secs.33-37). Theodora’s early life was lived in poverty and she was not willing to sacrifice her new royal stature. When Theodora made this famous speech she emboldened all of the men around her and they all decided to stay in Constantinople. After this speech Justinian was able to successfully crush the rebellion and restore order in the empire. Had Theodora not made this

The law stated, “therefore, in a free people it ought to be observed that the religion of my times in no way suffers that a woman once possessed of liberty should be reduced to servitude by such infamy” (Codex Justinianus,Vll.24.i.). This secured the future for many women so that they were able to marry the men that they wanted to. Before this law, women whom married servile men were stripped of their previous freedom. This law was another addition to the civil rights that were afforded to women. Similarly to the edict about actresses, this law allowed women to sustain higher ranking. After this law, many women were granted freedoms that weren't previously