June 28 Anniversary of the Death of Empress Theodora

The story of Theodora's ascension to Empress of Byzantium as the most powerful woman of the sixth century makes the story of Eva Peron's rise to power pale by comparison. However, there were some striking similarities. Both were actresses. Theodora started out as a circus perfumer and was the daughter one of the Hippodrome' s bear keepers. They were both prostitutes, although Theodora began when was only seven and, according to Procopius, the sixth-century historian, insinuated herself into that profession with a passion that has not been matched since.

Critics of Procopius have been unable to discredit some of its facts. For example, the sources do not dispute Theodora emerged as a comical actress in burlesque theater, and that her talents tended toward what might be called low comedy. While her advancement in Byzantine society was up and down, she made use of every opportunity.

Here is Procopius' account of her early life:

"But as soon as she was old enough and fully developed, she joined the women on the stage and promptly became a courtesan of the type our ancestors called a "camp follower"... Often she would go to a party with ten young  en given up to unlimited self-indulgence, all at the peak of their physical powers and with fornication as their chief object  in life...and copulate with every one of then: but not even so could she satisfy her lust .... Servants on whom  is task had been imposed would sprinkle arley grain on her private  parts, and geese trained for the purpose used to  pick them of one by one with their bills and swallow  them."   

After a brief stint as the mistress of a minor official in North Africa, Theodora was unceremoniously dumped and had to work her way back home by turning tricks. When she stopped over in Alexandria, she met the Monophysite Patriarch Timothy, and underwent a religious conversion,  She  gave up prostitution for a job as a wool spinner. When she met Justinian, the Emperor's nephew and heir, it was passion at first sight. Justinian was nearly fourteen-years older than Theodora and had lived an abstemious life. He was a compulsive work addict, had no sense of humor, and little interest in sex. But everything changed when he met Theodora.  His love for her necessitated him having the Emperor Justin issue a decree that actresses who had renounced their former life could marry any Roman, regardless of rank. Up to that time there was a law that actresses could not marry senators. So Justinian inadvertently set the wheels in motion that  facilitated the marriage of Elizabeth Taylor and Senator John Warner fifteen-hundred years later.

Theodora married Justinian and, on his accession to the Roman Imperial throne in 527, he made her joint ruler of the empire. She was centuries ahead of her time as a ruler and gave women the same legal rights as men, established homes for ex-prostitutes, allowed women to own and inherit property, gave mothers  guardianship rights over their children, and enacted the death penalty for rape. Along with her husband, she is a saint in the Orthodox Church

With the extraordinary power and drama of Theodora's life, it's remarkable that she has not become a popular theatrical subject, such as Catherine the Great or Elizabeth I. Sardou created the only major play about her life, Théodora, a vehicle for Sarah Bernhardt which became the basis for several novels. The only major film treatment was an Italian potboiler, Theodora, Slave Empress .aka Teodora, Imperatrice di Bisanzio, (1954) in which the empress was played by Gianna-Marie Canale.

Because of the major Byzantine influence in Italy, especially in Ravenna, there are many Italian dishes celebrating Theodora' s memory including consumato Théodora (asparagus in consommé), and filetti di sogliola Théodora (fillets of sole with a lemon cream sauce).

Empress Theodora, a powerful figure in Byzantine history, is best known for her powerful words during the Nika riots. One of her most famous quotes, addressed to Justinian and his advisors, is: "For a king, death is better than dethronement and exile,". "The throne is a glorious sepulchre," according to the Civilization Wiki and Goodreads, which further emphasized her resolve to stay and fight rather than flee. She also declared, "My people demand a better life. You stand in the way of that becoming," according to the Civilization Wiki, highlighting her concern for her subjects.

Theodora exercised considerable influence, and though she was never coregent, her superior intelligence and deft handling of political affairs caused many to think that it was she, rather than Justinian, who ruled Byzantium. Her name is mentioned in nearly all the laws passed during that period. She received foreign envoys and corresponded with foreign rulers, functions usually reserved for the emperor. Her influence in political affairs was decisive, as illustrated in the Nika revolt of January 532. The two political factions in Constantinople, the Blues and the Greens, united in their opposition to the government and set up a rival emperor. Justinian’s advisers urged him to flee, but Theodora advised him to stay and save his empire, whereupon Justinian’s general, Belisarius, herded the rioters into the Hippodrome and cut them to pieces.

Theodora's words, particularly those spoken during the Nika riots, are a testament to her strength, courage, and unwavering commitment to her role as Empress. They continue to resonate with people today as examples of powerful leadership and determination in the face of adversity

Theodora spent much of her reign trying to end religious persecution. Theodora died, possibly from cancer or gangrene, on June 28, 548, in Constantinople. Her death was a severe blow to Justinian.    

                                                                             Consumato Théodora

                                                                         (Asparagus in Consommé)

Ingredients

9 cups beef bouillon

1&1/2 lbs. ground round steak

3 egg whites 

1 doz. medium asparagus stalks            1 cup leeks, sliced in 2" pieces

1 cup broccoli, sliced in 2" pieces

3 strips lemon zest