Why did Justinian and Theodora get married?

Her beauty, wit, and intelligence fascinated the future emperor, and she became his mistress. According to tradition, Justinian wanted to marry her right away, but Byzantine law forbade marriage between social classes. Justinian worked with his uncle to have the law successfully repealed, and in 525 the two were wed.

Why was it unusual for Justinian I to marry Theodora before taking the throne?

Why was it unusual for Justinian to marry Theodora before taking the throne in 527 CE? She was Muslim and a member of a lower social class.

What was Theodora before she married Justinian?

Before she married Justinian, the nephew of Emperor Justin (r. 518-527 CE), in 525 CE, Theodora left the sands of the Hippodrome to travel to North Africa as the mistress of a medium-level civil servant.

What was the age difference between Justinian and Theodora?

It was also in 522, perhaps in Antioch, that Theodora first met Justinian. Justinian was 40 years old when he met Theodora, then only half his age. He was the favorite nephew and heir apparent of Justin I (reigned, 518-27). Some modern scholars believe that Justinian actually ruled during his uncle’s reign.

What happened to Justinian and Theodora?

Theodora likely died from cancer. Theodora, (born c. 497 ce—died June 28, 548, Constantinople [now Istanbul, Turkey]), Byzantine empress, wife of the emperor Justinian I (reigned 527–565), probably the most powerful woman in Byzantine history. When Justinian succeeded to the throne in 527, she was proclaimed augusta.

Who were Justinian and Theodora and why were they important to the Byzantine Empire?

Theodora and Justinian were known for ruling as intellectual and political equals, and Theodora was responsible for much of the reformation of Byzantium. In 528, construction began on the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, built as an imperial church on the outskirts of the Byzantine Empire.

What is one of the main reasons that the Emperor Justinian order the construction of the Hagia Sophia?

The Hagia Sophia’s Design In an effort to create a grand basilica that represented all of the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Justinian decreed that all provinces under his rule send architectural pieces for use in its construction.

How did Theodora influence Justinian?

Theodora participated in Justinian’s legal and spiritual reforms, and her involvement in the increase of the rights of women was substantial. She had laws passed that prohibited forced prostitution and closed brothels.

What did Theodora do to save Justinian’s crown?

When Justinian succeeded to the throne in 527, she was proclaimed augusta. 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.

When did Justinian get married?

525 AD (Theodora)
Justinian I/Wedding dates

What did Justinian and Theodora do?

How did Theodora help Justinian?