The Work of Art
The Mosaic of Theodora and her attendants was made in 547 in the Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy. She is shown as queen by the purple robes and intricate crown she wears. The frontal view and focus on the eyes, face, and hands, which hold a cup full of wine for an offertory procession at the church the she and Justinian, her husband, had built, show that she is an important person. The simple, vertical folds in her clothing indicate her power. She was shown like this because it was how they showed important people in Early Byzantine art. The mosaic was meant to remember her rule and all the things that she did for her people.
The Queen
Theodora started out as an actress, a profession equal to prostitute in those times. When Justinian met her, he went against an old Roman law that stated that officials could not marry actresses in order to wed her. They assumed the throne in 527 after Justinian's father, Justin, died. Justinian allowed Theodora to share his throne and take active part in decision making. She took this privilege to the fullest extent, even saving the empire once by convincing Justinian and his officials to stay and fight rather than run away from a rebellion. She also gave women more rights, and, together with her husband, transformed Constantinople into a magnificent city by having aqueducts, bridges, and more than 25 churches built. This definitely earned her immortalization in the form of a beautiful mosaic.
