In this episode, we explore the extraordinary lives of Euphemia and Theodora, two women who rose from obscurity to become empresses of the Byzantine Empire. Their stories—filled with ambition, resilience, and reform—challenge traditional narratives of power and privilege in late antiquity. From the sensational accounts of Procopius to the lasting legacies of their reforms, we’ll uncover how their lives were shaped by, and in turn, shaped the cultural and political landscape of their time.

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Through the lens of Euphemia and Theodora’s lives, we’ll explore the tension between personal ambition and societal expectations, the power of identity and narrative, and the ways in which women shaped the empire from behind the scenes. Join me as we unravel the truths and myths surrounding these two remarkable empresses.