A scholarly, yet highly accessible account of the life and times of the Empress Theodora Explores the pivotal role Theodora played in the great religious controversy of her time, involving a breach between sects in the Christian church James Allan Evans provides a scholarly, yet highly accessible account of the life and times of the Empress Theodora. He follows her from her childhood as a Hippodrome bear-keeper's daughter to her imperial roles as Justinian's most trusted counsellor and as an effective and powerful advocate for the downtrodden. In particular, he focuses on the ways in which Theodora worked to improve the lives of women. He also explores the pivotal role Theodora played in the great religious controversy of her time, involving a breach between sects in the Christian church.