The circus girl who saved an empire.
Theodora was a striptease dancer with one heck of an act. Crowds flocked to the circus in Constantinople to watch her dance half-naked with lions. One of those who found himself mesmerized by Theodora was Justinian, nephew of the emperor and next in line to rule the Byzantine Empire. He fell in love with the beautiful Theodora and married her. When Justinian eventually became emperor, Theodora became his empress.
Lucky for him—because her fearlessness would one day save his empire.
A few years into Justinian’s reign, a tax revolt broke out. There was chaos and rioting in the streets. It seemed the end of Justinian’s reign might be at hand. Shaken, the emperor prepared to flee. A ship was ordered to stand by, ready at any moment to take him and his wife into exile.
But Theodora wouldn’t have it. The one time circus girl made it clear she would rather die than surrender the royal rank she had attained. “Royalty is a good burial shroud,” Theodora calmly told her husband.
Her words filled Justinian with new resolve. Instead of fleeing, he sent out his imperial guard to fight the rebels, who were eventually crushed.
Justinian and Theodora reigned together for another twenty-one years, and Justinian for seventeen more years after her death.
“MAY I NEVER BE SEPARATED FROM THIS PURPLE.”
— THEODORA, EXPRESSING HER FIERCE DESIRE TO HOLD ON TO HER ROYAL STATUS
Men of senatorial rank were forbidden to marry actresses and dancers, who were considered little better than prostitutes. Justinian had to convince his uncle, the emperor, to repeal that law so he could marry Theodora.
Famed nineteenth-century actress Sarah Bernhardt as Theodora.