Who was Theodora?

Do you know Theodora, prostitute who became Empress of Byzantium? In a new story in two parts, Virginie Girod tells you the story of this woman with an exceptional destiny. Theodora was born in Constantinople, the "New Rome", around 500. The Western Roman Empire collapsed a few years earlier, but the Eastern Roman Empire continued to endure. This empire became Christian, it has even been the official religion of the State for a century. Pagans are nothing more than an oppressed religious minority. Emperors, on the other hand, often came to power through coups.

> Find Virginie Girod in Madame Figaro on newsstands from January 19 with a new story. https://madame.lefigaro.fr 

Theodora's father is a bear trainer while her mother is an actress. At the time, no distinction was made between the professions of actress and prostitute: it was considered that appearing on stage was already prostitution. The modest family lives in the hippodrome district, the last large entertainment building inherited from ancient Rome still tolerated by Christians. At the age of 12, Théodora also began training as an actress, and therefore, prostitution.

Described by her contemporaries as blessed with exceptional beauty, she quickly earned a reputation as an inaccessible courtesan, which increased her success tenfold. She becomes the star of all Byzantium. She then meets Hékébolos, a senior official of the empire, who offers to accompany her in her new mission as governor in Cyrenaica, in present-day Libya. Hékébolos makes Théodora a sort of agent of influence with the local aristocracy, but quickly abandons her. To return to Constantinople, the young actress decides to travel the 3000 kilometers… on foot! Along the way, an encounter will change the course of his existence.

Themes covered: Byzantine Empire, Constantinople, prostitution, Mediterranean

“At the heart of history” is a Europe 1 Studio podcast

- Presentation: Virginie Girod 

- Production: Caroline Garnier

- Director: Julien Tharaud

- Composition of the original music: Julien Tharaud 

- Writing and Distribution: Nathan Laporte

- Communication: Marie Corpet

- Visual: Sidonie Mangin