How Did Theodora Influence The Byzantine Empire

“The mother of the world has been killed,” stated a 5th century historian, bereft and appalled when the news of Rome’s fall had reached ear. Certainly his words hold truth, for Rome - the dauntingly colossal Empire engulfing the Mediterranean and all territories around it; the source of artistic, intellectual, and cultural ascendancy; the influential factor of brilliance in so many of the coexisting societies of the western world - was truly the predecessor and creator of all Western Civilization to come. However, what no one knew, was that the lasting impression this powerful and astonishing civilization would make upon the world, even if only through the works of fleeting memory or written text. As always, with loss

follow. That was the first goal of icons. The second goal was to form an

Though both had similar roots, they both took these similar bases & formed it into their own way. Both the Byzantine Empire and Ancient Roman have similar aspects, but each one made it unique. To better understand the similarities and differences of the Byzantine Empire and Ancient Romans one must look at each civilization’s cultural ideas, religion, & dependence on lower class.

The Byzantine Empire and Western Europe originally were part of the Roman Empire, but by the middle Ages(medieval times), they were very different, even though they did share some common traits, but by the 300's, the Byzantine Empire had far surpassed Western Europe in trade and economics and political unity, while both empires were having arguments over religion.

Theodora was the Empress of the Byzantine Empire from 527, when she was crowned, until her death in 548. Procopius was the appointed historian to record what was happening in the Empire, but mostly to focus on Theodora and Justinian. The Secret History was written by Procopius, but not published in the West until about a millennium after it was written. As it was ‘a venomous pamphlet of dubious merit’, The Secret History is hardly a reliable historical source. It criticises Justinian and Theodora for all of their actions as Emperor and Empress, as well as create a story, possibly based on nothing, about the origins of Theodora. While Procopius is considered a significant historian for the sixth century, it is notable that his treatment of Theodora is biased in an unfavourable way. Procopius adopts a perceptibly hostile attitude toward Theodora. Much of this bias against Theodora can be explained by Procopius’ view of women in power and gender roles.

Justinian was born around, 482, He was the Byzantine emperor, after his uncle. He ruled from 527 to 565, making a great impact on the Eastern Roman Empire. His first priority was to strengthen the empire, and return it to its prior ancient glory. Outstandingly, he was able to restore the city, Constantinople, after multiple important religious buildings, were burned down, and destroyed, during approximately January, 11 – 19, 532.

The woman who was to become Catherine the Great was born Sophie Augusta Fredericka. During her teen years Sophie blossomed into a beautiful young woman and had excellent health. She later went on to marry Peter III the future emperor and grandson of Peter the Great. During her reign as empress Catherine encountered many conflicts, which she surpassed so successfully that even now so many years after her death she is still remembered. Even though she was known to have many lovers during her lifetime and had three illegitimate children two of who survived, her strong spirit, willingness to make Russia a better place, and her political victories made her one of the greatest empress ever.

In 323 a young roman military officer born in Moesia successfully defeated three other generals to become the Emperor of Rome. The young Romanroan officer was named Constantine he quickly made two decisions that would change European and Middle Eastern history. First, he gave Cchristianity legal standing and moved the imperial capital from Rome to Byzantium a small seaside trade town in modern day Turkey. Constantine relocated the government for two reasons: for one he wanted to be able to pay closer attention to challenges from Persia. He also wanted to be near the spiritual and cultural richness of cities like Jerusalem, Nicomedia, and Ancient Troy. Constantinople lavishly built up Byzantium and renamed it after himself Constantinople.

There were many powerful civilizations during the post-classical era, but these civilizations grew powerful using different methods of religion, governments, and class systems. Some of these civilization share many commonalities amongst each other. The Roman Empire was copied by the Byzantine Empire in many ways, while the Chinese empires used different methods of raising its people. The religion of these civilizations would often reflect how the country would be ruled. The similarities and differences between these civilizations can be viewed though out the post-classical era.

Although there are many empires in history that influenced the modern world, the Byzantine Empire is one of the most important to learn about. This empire defeated many areas to help spread the religion. In Document A, the information explains that if they hadn't defeated the Persians, Avars, and Arabs most of the world may be Muslim. In other words, if one of these empires conquered the Byzantine empire than all of Europe and most of American along with the rest of the world, would be the Islamic religion, rather than Christianity, Jewish or other religions. We should also study the Byzantine empire because it had a very efficient and advanced defensive system for that time period.

Justinian led the Byzantine empire into the Byzantines golden age by conquering western sections of the western roman empire with his one greatest general Belisarius, collected taxes better and more efficiently than ever before and rebuilding Byzantium better than it was before after the Nika riots. (Expand) The Eastern Byzantine empire was created when Diocletian split the empire into two halves, giving rule to his good drinking buddy, Maximian. He created a government system to prolong the inevitable fall of Rome.

Caesaropism was the concept relating the mixing of political and religious authority. With the Roman Emperors, it became central to the church versus state controversy in medieval Europe. The ruler at the time, Constantine, was a Christian emperor inherited this idea to play they rules fairly. Constantine had a very different way of ruling; he and successors used the idea of divinity. Many people followed Constantine’s example, especially the Byzantine emperors. The Byzantine Empire ran an absolute monarchy, when one particular ruler Justinian took control he became very relatable to Constantine. Justinian ruled from 527-565 C.E and had a very different background. He came from a peasant family and started to work his way up slowly by having

Justinian was emperor of the Byzantine Empire for nearly forty years and served from A.D. 527 to 565. He was known as the first great Byzantine emperor. Justinian and his wife Theodora were an unusual couple. Justinian was born a peasant and worked his way up as a soldier. Theodora’s dad was a bear trainer for the circus, and when Theodora grew up she also

byzatine women were very important because of what their rights were. divorces were rare and very difficult to get. Women were not encouraged to lead independent lifes which upset me because women should live however they want to and shouldn't be told what they can and can't do. Women were forced to stay home and take care of the family. women did all the work while mengot to get their education. women owe a huge thanks to theodora because she let some byantine women become well educated and let them get involved with politics.

Classical Greek culture had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire, which carried a version of it to many parts of the Mediterranean region and Europe. Greek culture influenced the development of Roman civilization because at first Rome absorbed ideas from Greek colonists in southern Italy, and they continued to borrow from Greek culture after they conquered Greece. Ancient Greece has had an enormous amount of impact on culture in the western world. For this reason, Classical Greece is generally considered to be the seminal culture which provided the foundation of Western civilization. Rome conquered the Greek empire and its civilization, but Greek culture conquered imperial Rome. Furthermore, the Romans willingly