nami64: 04/? historical otps ✧ justinian I & theodora Byzantin Emperor Justinian → Ben
nami64:04/? historical otps ✧ justinian I & theodora Byzantin Emperor Justinian → Ben WhishawByzantin Empress Theodora → Eva GreenJustinian was born son of a farmer but was called to the capital by his uncle -Emperor Justin- to be educated as the next emperor. He quckly became Justin’s most influential adviser.Around 522, Theodora and Justinian met at Constantinople. Meticulous, patient, and by nature solitary, Justinian was her opposite, Theodora being social, witty, beautiful, and confident. Her parents were performers, the lowest strata of free society and she took to the stage to earn a living -at the time “actress” was synonymous with “prostitute”-. Despite her tender age of 20, she had a worldly wisdom about her that belied her years. But more importantly, Justinian sensed an intellectual equal from his time with her, felt that she was someone who could help him to fulfil his ambitions. He grew fonder of her with each passing day and asked her to be his mistress. Theodora accepted. So enamored with her, he changed the law so that actresses could marry into high society. The following year, now Emperor, Justinian married her and named her as co-regent. He adored her, and she was his most important counselor, listenning her advices about politics, religions or even war.Theodora came to the crown from the gutter and never forgot it: she had laws passed that prohibited forced prostitution and that granted women more rights in divorce cases. She also established homes for prostitutes.They both were entombed together in the Church of the Holy Apostles. -- source link