When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 2

About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges faced by Justinian and Theodora during the Nika Riots of 532 AD after their coronation as Emperor and Empress.

After being crowned Emperor and Empress of the Byzantine Empire, Justinian and Theodora face their first major test as rulers, the deadly Nika Riots of 532 AD. SOURCES: Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape. Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium. Procopius. The Secret History. Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor. Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics covered

• Byzantine Empire
• Justinian
• Theodora
• Nika Riots
• history

Keywords

• Emperor
• Empress
• rulers
• 532 AD
• Byzantine history

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Justinian the Great

Places: the Byzantine Empire, Istanbul, Byzantium

More episodes of Conflicted: A History Podcast

• The Panama Canal – Part 3: Make The Dirt Fly! · June 11, 2026 · 2h 3m
• The Panama Canal – Part 2: I Took The Isthmus · April 14, 2026 · 1h 39m
• The Panama Canal – Part 1: Le Piège Mortel · March 1, 2026 · 1h 40m
• The Tokyo Subway Sarin Attacks 1995 – Part 2 · January 16, 2026 · 1h 51m
• The Tokyo Subway Sarin Attacks 1995 – Part 1 · December 5, 2025 · 2h 5m
• Get Eichmann – Israel’s Hunt For A Nazi War Criminal - Part 3 · October 10, 2025 · 1h 37m