The book untitled theodora, empress of byzantium contain a lot of information on that. Actress, empress, saint, david potter penetrates the highly biased accounts of her found in the writings of her contemporaries and takes advantage of the latest research on early byzantium to craft a modern, wellrounded, and engaging narrative of theodora s life. While being the wife of the emperor theophilus, the last of the iconoclasts, she adorned the royal diadem with her virtue and piety. The citizens of the empire could easily relate to the book, and they would probably be the most interested in learning about those two people. Empress theodora was one of the most powerful women in the byzantine empire. Theodora empress of byzantium download ebook pdf, epub. Theodora was by no means born into power though she rose into it, which was an extremely rare phenomenon in ancient ruling classes. The righteous theodora was the wife of emperor theophilus the iconoclast during the middle of the ninth century. Actress, empress, whore is a sexy, captivating novel that resurrects an extraordinary, littleknown figure from the dusty pages of history. Thanks to the writings of procopius and other detractors, the byzantine empress theodora c. Empress of byzantium is a very comprehensive biography of empress theodora. Actress, empress, saint oxford university press, 2015, historian david potter. Im not sure why, after several years, i suddenly picked it up to read. Theodora was the daughter of a bear trainer and a common woman.
Actress, empress, saint, david potter penetrates the highly biased accounts of her found in the writings of her contemporaries and takes. Penetrates the highly biased accounts of her found in. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Financial timesroman historian procopius publicly praised theodora of constantinople for her pietywhile secretly detailing her salacious stage act and maligning her as ruthless and power. He penetrates the highly biased writings of her contemporaries and takes advantage of the latest research on early byzantium to craft the most authoritative and engaging biography of theodora to date. Theodora book las vegasclark county library district. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Rising from a humble background and overcoming the prejudices of her somewhat disreputable early career as an actress, theodora would marry justinian r. For her restoration of the veneration of icons, which ended the byzantine iconoclasm, she is venerated as a saint in the eastern orthodox church. Actress, empress, saint women in antiquity reprint by potter, david isbn. Saint theodora the empress of byzantium aged byzantine. She was a strong iconodule who after the death of her husband overrode his iconoclastic policies to finally restore veneration of icons in the eastern roman empire.
Theodora book chicago public library bibliocommons. The intended audience of this document was the citizens of byzantium. She famously championed womens rights and mitigated the ongoing persecution of the miaphysite sect. Theodora was empress of the byzantine empire and the wife of emperor justinian i. Along with her spouse, theodora is a saint in the eastern orthodox church, commemorated on 14 november. She was one of the most influential and powerful of the byzantine empresses. Her ragstoriches tale is instantly familiar to modern readers as a prototype to the beloved cinderella story, but far from being over when she married her prince charming, she. The empresses of constantinople by joseph mccabe book. Saint theodora the empress of byzantium byzantine icon. Actress, empress, saint, renowned historian david potter provides a new account of.
With her glorification as a saint the church remembers her role in this restoration. The power game in byzantium is the sort of book that only an emeritus could write. Theodora was born into the lowest class of byzantine society, the daughter of a bearkeeper for the circus. Theodora paperback david potter oxford university press. An excellently readable biography of sixthcentury byzantine empress theodora, who began her life as the daughter of an actress and the bearmaster of one of byzantiums factions, became an actress herself, bore a daughter out of wedlock to a wealthy man, left or was abandoned.
Empress theodoras place setting uses byzantine iconography and mosaics to convey her important role in building the byzantine empire. Actress, empress, saint, david potter penetrates the highly biased accounts of her found in the writings of her contemporaries and takes advantage of the latest research on early byzantium to craft a modern, wellrounded, and engaging narrative of theodoras life. Other historical events and the byzantine culture is limited in the story. Theodoras is a tale of a woman of exceptional talent who overcame immense obstacles to achieve incredible power, which she exercised without ever forgetting where she had come from. D s potter two of the most famous mosaics from the ancient world, in the church of san vitale in ravenna, depict the sixthcentury emperor justinian and, on the wall facing him, his wife, theodora 497548. In fact, theodora harbored a pretty questionable past. Though her background was considered disreputable, she married justinian, who became emperor, allowing her to wield considerable influence.
While being the wife of the emperor theophilus, the last of the iconoclasts, she adorned the royal diadem with her. Hormisdas before hormisdas had entered the priesthood. Summarizing the book s chapters indicates how well potters theodora succeeds. The mosaic tile in empress theodoras plate recalls the most well recognized image of theodorathe mosaic from the apse in the basilica of san vitale in ravenna, italy.
Along with her husband, she is a saint in the orthodox church, commemorated on november 14 life. Some sources mention her as empress regnant, with justinian i as her coregent. Theodora actress, empress, saint david potter women in antiquity. As for the renowned empress theodora, she was from paphlagonia and was the daughter of a certain marinus, the commander of a military regiment. Actress, empress, whore is the fictional biography of theodora of constantinople by stella duffy. Biography of famous empresses of constantinople contents verina and her daughters the early life of theodora the empress theodora sophia martina the most pious irene saint theodora the wives of leo the philosopher the tavernkeepers daughter theophano two imperial sisters zoe and theodora eudocia irene and anna comnena a breath of chivalry euphrosyne. The book primarily focuses on theodoras early life up until she is coronated.
Empress theodora represented in mosaic at san vitale, ravenna. However, history has not been favourable to her because she has garnered much negative criticism because of procopius, a writer writing works about his times. It will be read with delight by readers who might be put off by more ponderous and pretentious academic studies. This fascinating portrait will intrigue all readers with an interest. Theodora 9th century empress the righteous theodora was the wife of emperor theophilus the iconoclast during the middle of the ninth century.
Theodora, empress of the byzantines women in antiquity. Partner of justinian ebook written by james allan evans. Actress, empress, saint, renowned historian david potter provides a fresh new account of her fascinating life and times. So it may come as something of a surprise that joining the haloed ranks is the ambitious, resolute, and oftentimes controversial, byzantine empress theodora c 497548. She became empress upon justinians accession in 527 and was one of his chief advisers.
Theodora, byzantine empress known for her intelligence and political acumen. Theodora was the daughter of a bear trainer and a dancer and an actress. Justinian was attracted to theodoras intelligence and beauty, and made her his mistress, after which he married her. Procopius is the only primary source about theodora. Actress, empress, saint david potters biography of the empress theodora brings to life a powerful woman previously much maligned by the writer procopius. Theodora, famously an actress and concubine, married the emperor justinian, and had a profound effect on the politics and laws of early byzantium. The language is very straightforward all the people, so do not necessarily worry, you can easy to read it. Takes advantage of the latest research on early byzantium.
Actress, empress, saint, david potter penetrates the highly biased accounts of her found in the writings of her contemporaries and takes advantage of the latest research on early byzantium to craft a modern, wellrounded, and engaging narrative of theodora\s life. Along with her husband, she is a saint in the eastern orthodox church, commemorated on november 14. Click download or read online button to get theodora empress of byzantium book now. Silverius was a subdeacon when the ostrogothic king theodahad nominated.
It was around this time that theodora caught the eye of justinian, who was serving under his uncle, the emperor justin i. Her intelligence and political acumen made her justinians most trusted adviser and enabled her to use. A fascinating portrait of a woman who rose from professional courtesan to influential advisor and empress. It was written about their rulers, emperor justinian and empress theodora, and this part of the book is about the nika revolt. Financial times roman historian procopius publicly praised theodora of constantinople for her pietywhile secretly detailing her salacious stage act and maligning her as ruthless and power hungry. How a poverty stricken prostitute became an empress. The writer explains the woman idea with easy technique.
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