When the Nika riots broke out in the hippodrome of Constantinople in January 532, Theodora saved her husband Justinian’s throne. Public buildings were set on fire and Hypatius proclaimed the new emperor. Justinian and his officials were ready to flee, but Theodora convinced them that ‘royal purple is the noblest shroud’. Justinian took courage and (according to Procopius) killed 30,000 rebels in the hippodrome.

Together with her husband, Theodora transformed the city into one of the most splendid in the world. She made significant advancements in women’s rights, passing laws prohibiting forced prostitution and closed brothels, and created a convent where ex-prostitutes could support themselves. She expanded women’s rights in divorce, property ownership, rights over children, and forbade killing of a wife who committed adultery. She also instituted the death penalty for rape.

..OR was she a crazy woman?…. http://www.creatinghistory.com/theodora-byzantine-empress-or-crazy-woman