Theodora of Khazaria
| Theodora of Khazaria | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Byzantine empress | |||||
| Born | 7th century | ||||
| Died | 8th century | ||||
| Spouse | Justinian II | ||||
| Issue | Tiberios | ||||
|
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| Dynasty | Heraclian Dynasty | ||||
| Full name | |
|---|---|
| Theodora of Khazaria |
Theodora of Khazaria was the second Empress consort of Justinian II of the Byzantine Empire. She was a sister of Busir, Khagan of Khazars, but their relation to other Khazar rulers such as Bihar, father of future Empress Tzitzak, is unknown.
Justinian II had first succeeded to the throne in 685. In 695, Justinian was deposed by a coup d'état under strategos Leontios. Justinian's nose and tongue were slit and he was exiled to Cherson in the Crimea.
Justinian stayed in Cherson for about seven years with no apparent incident. However rumors that the deposed Emperor was plotting his restoration came to the attention of the city authorities ca. 702. They decided to arrest him and sent him to Constantinople, surrendering his fate to Tiberios III. Justinian instead escaped Cherson and sought refuge in the court of Busir.
Busir welcomed the exile and formed a familial relation to Justinian by marrying him to his sister, whose original name is unknown, in 703. Theodora was her baptismal name and marks her conversion to Chalcedonian Christianity. The name was probably chosen to evoke memories of Theodora, wife of Justinian I. Busir provided the couple with funds and a house in Phanagoria.
Tiberios eventually took notice of the new marrital alliance and bribed Busir in exchange for the head of Justinian. According to the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor, ca. 704 Busir dispatched two agents to murder his brother-in-law, Balgitzin and Papatzys. Theodora became aware of their mission and warned her husband in advance, enabling him to strangle both men and sail in a fishing boat back to Cherson.
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