Name:___________ Date:__________

Day 3: Justinian and Theodora

Justinian (483-565) Theodora (497-548)

The Emperor and the Empress of the Byzantine Empire

Justinian I was born in 483 AD in the Northwest of the Byzantine Empire
(modern Serbia). He went to Constantinople and was adopted by Justin (his
uncle) the emperor. He learned Greek language and receive an excellent
education. In 527 AD, Justinian I became emperor after Justin died. He
reunited the empire and made the Byzantine Empire bigger than it had ever been
before. He persecuted all non-Christians and closed the school of philosophy
in Athens as it taught about Pagan gods which he assumed as false teaching.
He created the law with motto One Empire, One Church, One Law
(Justinianic Code).

Theodora was born in 500 AD on the Island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean

Sea. She was a daughter of a bear trainer in circus works. She involved in
circus performances and became an actress. She was intelligent, beautiful
and charming. During that time actors and actresses were considered as low
social class. In 523, Justinian and Theodora got married although the law
forbade the marriage and she became the adviser of the Emperor. She urged
for the rights of women, children and slaves. On her behalf, Justinian issued
laws against husbands beating their wives. New laws allowed women allowed
to divorce and to own property, widows were now allowed to keep their
children instead of having to surrender them to a male relative. Any opinions
came from other advisers/officials will be accepted or rejected based on
Theodoras opinions.
Theodoras most famous contribution came during the Nika Rebellion in 532.
This revolt started from blue and green chariot races. After a race, the
audience of the blues and the greens were fighting against each team and
the troops of Justinian imprisoned the rebellions from both teams. Now, both
teams combined and raised a riot against Justinian. At the same time,
government officials had organized a revolt among people who shared their
hatred of the high taxes of Justinians reign. The emperor panicked and was
preparing to flee. However, Theodora persuaded him to stay in the palace
and fight. She offered a suggestion to trap the rebellions. He accepted it and
gathered the rebellions in the Hippodrome, telling them he was willing to
compromise. As soon as the people gathered, the generals and the troops of
Justinian closed all the gates and killed them all. He won and didnt face a
serious challenge to his reign thereafter. He then, built the Hagia Sophia
Church in 532-537). They ruled the Byzantine Empire together from 527 to
565 (38 years). Finally Theodora died due to the cause of Cancer in 548 and
Justinian died of a serious plague at the age of 82.

Think- Pair-Share
1. If Theodora was not a supportive empress, do you think Justinian could
rule the empire on his own? Why?

2. In your opinion why did Justinian restore the empire and make only one
Christian religion?

3. Imagine yourself as Justinian (a Christian ruler), what would you do

differently?