# IX: And How Theodora, Most Depraved of All Courtesans, Won His Love explained — The Secret History

> Chapter companion for The Secret History by Procopius.

## What happens

This chapter recounts the early life of Theodora, from her impoverished childhood as the daughter of a bear-keeper to her rise as a notorious courtesan and actress in Constantinople. It details her shameless behavior on and off the stage, her travels across the East, and her eventual return to Constantinople where she captivates Justinian. Justinian falls violently in love with her, raises her to patrician rank, and together they plunder the empire while favoring the Blue faction. The chapter also includes an account of Justinian's illness, the crimes of the Blues, and the unjust punishment of Theodotus.

## Themes in this chapter

### Moral Decadence

Theodora's shameless behavior on and off the stage exemplifies the moral decay of the era.

### Abuse of Power

Justinian and Theodora use their authority to plunder the empire and favor the Blue faction, while Theodotus is unjustly persecuted.

### Injustice and Lawlessness

The Blues commit crimes with impunity, and Theodotus is falsely accused and tortured despite his innocence.

## Character check-ins

### Theodora

Portrayed as a depraved courtesan from childhood, engaging in prostitution and scandalous stage acts before winning Justinian's love.

### Justinian

Falls violently in love with Theodora, raises her to patrician rank, and together they plunder the empire and favor the Blue faction.

### Theodotus

Prefect of the city nicknamed 'the Pumpkin'; ordered to punish the Blues but later falsely accused as a poisoner and magician, exiled to Jerusalem.

### Proclus

Quaestor who bravely defends Theodotus, declaring him innocent, leading to exile instead of death.

### Comito

Theodora's older sister, a leading hetaera of the day.

### Hecebolus

Tyrian governor of Pentapolis whom Theodora served before being dismissed.

## Key lines

> He took a wife: and in what manner she was born and bred, and, wedded to this man, tore up the Roman Empire by the very roots, I shall now relate.

Justinian married a woman whose upbringing and character would ultimately destroy the Roman Empire.

_Opening statement setting up Theodora's destructive influence._

> Thus was this woman born and bred, and her name was a byword beyond that of other common wenches on the tongues of all men.

Theodora's reputation was infamous, surpassing that of any ordinary prostitute.

_Summary of Theodora's early notoriety._

> But when she came back to Constantinople, Justinian fell violently in love with her.

Upon her return to the capital, Justinian became deeply infatuated with Theodora.

_Turning point where Theodora gains influence over Justinian._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/ix-and-how-theodora-most-depraved-of-all-courtesans-won-his-love
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_history_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters