Women played diverse and influential roles in the Byzantine Empire that extended far beyond the domestic affairs of each family.
Although the expectations of society typically limited women to traditional roles as wives and mothers, who only needed to care about what was going on behind closed doors, many emerged as influential figures in the Byzantine Empire, shaping the future of the entire community.
Some prominent women of the Byzantine Empire ended up as saints, scholars, patrons of both art and religion, and even empresses.
Their influence and impact was so important that historians study their lives to this day.
Starting with Byzantine empresses, we know that they held considerable political power.
They frequently served as co-rulers or regents, supporting their husbands or even being the actual people behind certain policies. One of the most famous examples of such women was Empress Theodora the spouse of Emperor Justinian I.
Theodora came from very modest and somewhat controversial beginnings. However, she managed to climb the social ladder to become one of the most dominant women in Byzantine history.
Theodora advocated passionately for women’s rights and succeeded in persuading her entourage to reform Byzantine divorce laws in favour of women.
She also fought against human trafficking, therefore protecting women from horrific situations.
Significantly, during the infamous Nika Revolt of 532 AD she was the person who convinced Justinian to persist and secure his rule, rather than escaping and forfeiting his throne.
Other notable examples of women who became empresses of the Byzantine Empire include Irene of Athens, who ruled in her own right and convened the Second Council of Nicaea, restoring the veneration of icons. Irene reigned from 797 to 802 AD.
Empress Zoe was another truly influential figure, who became known for her political maneuvering during a very turbulent period of Byzantine palace politics and intrigue. She reigned from 1028 to 1050 AD, managing to overthrow Emperor Michael V Kalaphates in April 1042.
Religion and the role of women in the Byzantine Empire
The Christian faith of the Byzantine Empire offered many women a route to significance through religious practices of asceticism, monasticism and, potentially, sainthood.
Female saints such as Mary of Egypt and Matrona of Perge were widely honored for their devoutness and exceptional lives, becoming role models for the deeply religious Byzantine society.
The monastic tradition also enabled women to create convents that functioned as centers for education, charity and healthcare, offering them significant power within local communities.
Within the Orthodox Christian Church of the Byzantine Empire, women had the opportunity to become deaconesses or lay sisters, participating in social services and managing religious organizations that supported the overall services of the Church.
Women could also join the elite clubs of intellectuals and artists. Anna Komnene, for example, became the first known female historian during the 11th and 12th centuries.
Anna Komnene was the daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and her work, The Alexiad, offers crucial perspectives on Byzantine political affairs and the First Crusade.
Kassia, a 9th-century poet and composer, was another woman who made a lasting impact with her hymns, several of which are still performed in Orthodox liturgy today.
Aristocratic women like Anicia Juliana supported grand building projects, such as churches embellished with magnificent mosaics
Despite existing in a male-dominated society, Byzantine women achieved significant advancements in diverse fields. Whether as empresses wielding political authority, saints evoking devotion, or scholars promoting knowledge, they left a lasting influence on history. Their narratives continue to shed light on the intricacies of Byzantine civilization and its lasting imprint.