Theodora Porphyrogenita (c. 989–1056)
Theodora Porphyrogenita (c. 989–1056)
Co-empress of Byzantium. Name variations: Augusta Theodora; Theodora of Byzantium. Co-empress of Byzantium (r. 1042–1056). Born c. 989 in Byzantium (some sources cite 981); died in 1056 or 1057 in Byzantium; youngest dau. of Constantine VIII, Byzantine emperor (r. 1025–1028), and Helena of Alypia; sister of Empress Zoë Porphyrogenita (980–1050) and Eudocia (c. 978–?); never married; no children.
Despite living in a convent, aided empress sister Zoë Porphyrogenita through her indirect influence, bringing a high sense of morality to the administration and a belief that the ruler of the empire had an obligation to better the life of its citizens; following death of sister (1050) and brother-in-law Constantine IX (1055), was brought out of the convent by popular opinion and onto the throne; reigned alone (1055–57); by her firm administration, frustrated an attempt to supersede her on behalf of the general Nicephorus Bryennius; controlled the unruly nobles and checked numerous abuses but marred her reputation by being excessively severe towards her enemies and by employing menials for advisers; even so, was a well-respected and well-loved empress, who left a high standard for moral rule when she died.