Theodora (10th century)

Theodora (10th century)

Theodora was a senatrix and "serenissima vestaratrix" of Rome, mother of Marozia, concubine to Pope Sergius III, whose pontificate, so far as is known, was remarkable for nothing but the rise of the pornocracy of Theodora and her daughters, a period also called the "Rule of the Harlots".

Theodora was a grandmother of Pope John XI, a son of Marozia and—according to Liutprand of Cremona and the "Liber Pontificalis"—Pope Sergius III. A third contemporary source, however—the annalist Flodoard (c. 894-966)—says John XI was brother of Alberic II, the latter being the offspring of Marozia and her husband Alberic I. Hence John too was probably the son of Marozia and Alberic I.

Theodora was characterized by the aforementioned Liutprand, Italian historian and bishop of Cremona, as a "shameless whore ... [who] exercised power on the Roman citizenry like a man." This bishop of Cremona was described by the Catholic Encyclopedia as frequently being unfair to his adversaries and could be partial in his judgments. Seeing how many in the church were biased against female rule, not all that has been written by him can therefore be taken as undisputed truth.

References

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09313a.htm The Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Liutprand of Cremona]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Theodora — can refer to any of the following:* Flavia Maximiana Theodora, daughter of the Roman Emperor Maximian and second wife of the Emperor Constantius I Chlorus. * Theodora (6th century), Empress of the late Roman Empire and wife of Justinian I,… …   Wikipedia

  • Theodora Petraliphaina — (Griechisch: Θεοδώρα Πετραλίφαινα, die Heilige Theodora von Arta; * um 1225 in Servia; † nach 1270 in Arta) war mit Michael II. Komnenos Dukas Angelos, Despot von Epirus verheiratet, wurde als Witwe Nonne, von der Orthodoxen Kirche kanonisiert… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Chronological list of saints in the 4th century — A list of 4th century saints: Name Birth Birthplace Death Place of death Notes Gatian     301   Bishop of Tours Vitalis and Agricola     301   Zoilus and 19 Companions   …   Wikipedia

  • 11th century — As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century is the period from 1001 to 1100 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian/Common Era. In the history of European culture, this period is considered the early part of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Chronological list of saints in the 2nd century — A list of 2nd century saints: Name Birth Birthplace Death Place of death Notes Sarbel and Barbe     101   Phocas     102   Bishop of Sinope Evaristus …   Wikipedia

  • Chronological list of saints in the 5th century — A list of 5th century saints: Name Birth Birthplace Death Place of death Notes Anastasius I     401   Bishop of Rome Alexander Akimetes     403   Epiphanius of Salamis …   Wikipedia

  • Christianity in the 6th century —   Spread of Christianity to AD 325 …   Wikipedia

  • Byzantine Empire — the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the Western Empire in A.D. 476. Cap.: Constantinople. * * * Empire, southeastern and southern Europe and western Asia. It began as the city of Byzantium, which had grown from an ancient Greek colony… …   Universalium

  • Khazars — Kazar redirects here. For the Marvel Comics character, see Ka Zar. For the village in Azerbaijan, see Xəzər. For Khazar University, see Khazar University. Khazaria Eastern Tourkia Khaganate …   Wikipedia

  • Saeculum obscurum — (Latin: the dark age) is a name given to a period in the history of the Papacy during the first half of the 10th century, beginning with the installation of Pope Sergius III in 904 and lasting for sixty years until the death of Pope John XII in… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”