Theodora was born into the lowest class of Byzantine society. Theodora worked as an actress and later became the wife of Justinian I, the emperor of the Byzantine Empire. As empress, Theodora became the most powerful woman in Byzantine history.
She encouraged justice and fairness for women. The empress was able to make laws that raised the status of women. Theodora changed the divorce laws and laws against the mistreatment of women. Theodora also had hospitals and convents built for homeless women.
Theodora was a devoted partner to Justinian and helped him carry out his policies. When riots occurred in A.D. 532, she advised him to stay in the city and fight to keep his throne. After the riots destroyed the city, Justinian and Theodora rebuilt Constantinople with many magnificent buildings, including the Hagia Sophia.
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