Mosaic of Theodora, Byzantine (547 A.D.)

I. IDENTIFIERS

Artist/Attribution: Unknown Byzantine mosaicists

Date: 547 A.D.

Medium: Mosaic (glass and stone tesserae)

Location: Basilica of San Vitale (Ravenna, Italy)

Culture/Period: Early Byzantine

II. HISTORICAL CONTEXT

In 547 A.D., the Mediterranean was defined by Emperor Justinian I’s ambition to reconquer the lost Western Roman Empire.  Launched by Justinian, the military policy of Renovatio Imperii (Restoration of the Empire) sought to regain the entire Italian peninsula, the Western Balkans, Tunisia, Algeria, northern Morocco, the Balearic Islands, and Southern Spain.  Around 547 A.D. the war was far from over, but in 540 A.D. Justinian captured Ravenna which was a strategic capital for the Germanics. Theodora is the wife of Emperor Justinian I. 

Simultaneously, the Justinian Plague (bubonic plague) was first recorded and spreading through the Mediterranean. Because of this pandemic, it is estimated that between 25% to 50% of the empire’s population died. This resulted in catastrophic labor shortages, collapsing tax revenues, and lack of military power. 

III. SUBJECT MATTER

The Mosaic of Theodora shows a ceremonial procession in which Theodora presents gifts to the Church before celebrating the Eucharist. To the left of Theodora, there are seven ladies-in-waiting dressed in 6th century fashion with patterned silk tunics, floral and geometric motifs. To the right of Theodora there are two male eunuchs/officials who serve as her personal bodyguard and administrator. 

      Theodora is symbolized as the supreme benefactor of the Church due to how she holds a chalice encrusted with pearls and sapphires that contains the wine that will be consecrated into the blood of Christ. Her clothing is an imperial chlamys (cloak) dyed in royal Tyrian purple, a color only nobility wore due to the expensive costs they implied. Around her neck is a massive, jeweled collar known as a maniakis that is made of pearls and emeralds. Theodora has an elaborate crown with long pearl strands hanging down her cheeks. There is a Nimbus (Halo) on top of Theodora, which in Byzantine art, meant that she had a divine right of kings, signaling that her political power was directly ordained by God. Symbolically, there is a depiction of the Three Magi on the bottom golden hem of Theodora’s robe. By placing them smaller and in the bottom of Theodora’s robe while she holds a gift, the mosaic equates Theodora to the Three Magi.

IV. ABOUT THE EMPRESS

Empress Theodora (c. 500-548 A.D.) is such a stimulating person. She is arguably the most powerful woman in Byzantine history. Theodora was born from the absolute bottom of society; her father was a bear-keeper at Constantinople’s Hippodrome (the city’s massive sports arena). When her father died, her mother urged Theodora and her sisters to become “actresses” to survive and be fed. In the 6th century an “actress” was a legal synonym of a prostitute. 

At 16, Theodora left the stage and became the mistress of a Syrian official named Hecebolus who was a wealthy Byzantine magistrate, appointed governor of Pentapolis (modern-day eastern Libya). Hecebolus and Theodora went to North Africa and lived in his governor’s palace. After some time, the relationship became abusive; Hecebolus stripped her from all of her possessions and threw her into the streets of Alexandria. Theodora was poor, and only survived by begging. In Alexandria, she encountered Monphysite holy men, such as Patriarch Timothy IV, and was transformed by their teachings.  She renounced her past stage life and turned to a life of piety. She moved back to Constantinople and lived in a modest house spinning wool. 

After some time in Constantinople, Theodora and Justinian met. Justinian was instantly captivated by Theodora both physically and intellectually. Theodora is known for her sharp strategic mind, her determination, and for her ambition. Justinian was completely in love with her, and refused to have her as a mistress, however the law forbade patricians from marrying women from the theater. Justinian pressured his uncle, Emperor Justin, to rewrite the Roman matrimonial law, and soon they married in 525 A.D. in the Hagia Sophia.  During their coronation, Justinian had Theodora crowned alongside him, granting her equal legal power. Theodora died in 548 A.D. likely of breast or abdominal cancer. 

V. PERSONAL CONNECTION

Militza, this is for you: all of Iliostacio, but especially this work. You have been one of the biggest blessings I ever received from God. Throughout our friendship there were various moments of shared pain. There was one call where we both wept, drowning our sorrows. I remember you wept bitterly for your lost beauty, the sickness which you claimed took both your heart and face. Standing there, hearing your false statements something came to my mind: a distant blurry image of this mosaic. Upon showing it to you, telling you how your beauty was like Theodora’s and reminding you who you are once again. At that moment of confusion, I anchored you just as you anchored me with my sorrows about who I am. May you never forget that I view you as more beautiful than Theodora, more intelligent, but most of all as the most loving human being I have ever met. May you never stop looking after me, and may we both reunite once again with our dad God. I love you, and VARO!