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Justinian the first and his wife Theodora, Greek Byzantine Empire rulers.. my most favorite characters from the old days of Fairywoods.. sweet memories of late 2000! :o) I've always had a soft spot for both not just because they're part of my own country's mideaval history but because they were a couple truly ahead of their time, that others judged favorably, others hated for their own political reasons! Familiar scene..hum? VL grin Justinian was not a very strong personality, however, he was the first Byzantine Empreror who dared to fall in love and marry a bear-keeper's daughter, circus actress and dancer! Theodora was his ideal complimenting other half..a determined, admirable woman & the Empress who dared to stand up for women's rights at her time, even managed to pass laws such as the death penalty for rape & women's right to inherit and own property - Both unconcievable for women at her days.. Enough about history..I know! :o) Have fun downloading both Emperor and Empress in one large zip. Making them once again available is my own way of celebrating PWFW's first year anniversary! :o) Rena

Have you read Guy Gavriel Kay's Sarantium stories - obviously partialy inspired by Justinian (though he deviates more at the end).

According to Procopius, Theodora was an "exotic dancer" who did something with ducks--speculation, anyone?

Yes mikes.. her origin was of the "lowest" possible class! VL grin Her father was a bear keeper in some kind of circus of the time and she was part of it too as an exotic dancer! ;o) Till her charms lured young Justinian off his feet that is! LOL Rena

Glorious! Thank you, Rena. The rich brocades and bejewelled ornamentation shown in your image do justice to the legacy of two of Byzantium's greatest nobles, and capture the feeling of a time when the ancient legacy of Hellenic Rome was evolving into Orthodox Christianity. As you said, Justinian and Theodora were a tremendous creative force in history, commissioning the Code of Justinian and the Hagia Sophia, and sending armies to win back large portions of the Mediterranean world from the barbarians. But I'm glad you mentioned the lesser known achievements too: Theodora clearly inspired a great deal of what they did. I'm looking forward to playing with the elements you've so kindly shared with us lovers of the under-appreciated, thousand-year-long Byzantine Empire. Thanks, Ricky Java

My favourite byzantine emperor was Heraclius (the one who nearly converted to islam)

I wouldn't say that Heraclius nearly converted to Islam...Lo) On the contrary, he was the very one who leaded the war against Arabs in Palestine (in Spring of 622 A.D.)to gain back Jerusalem and the Holly Cross which had been conquered during the years before his rein! :o) Rena

But I guess..history has TWO faces! Depends which side you're on! VL grin Rena

Marvelous, marvelous, marvelous!!!!!! -Heike-

Hey guys, remember... these figures are almost 2 years old.. LOL New Byzantine blood I guess should be created on the Millenium figures!Right? :o)

Muhammad sent a letter to heraclius (the original of which still survives) and after Heraclius interviewed a visiting Arab merchant (named Abu Sufyan) about the Prophet, he gathered the church officials together and said "If you desire security and guidance, then let us follow the Arabian Prophet". The church guys let him know what they thought of his idea and he responded something to the effect of "I was only kidding".

The Arabs didn't conquer Palestine in AD 622. At that time (AD 622 = AH 1) they were just moving to Medinah to escape persecution in Mecca. The Prophet dies in AH 10 and Omar (the second Caliph) conquered Palestine a few years later.

ROFLMAO... there.. Greeks had a great sense of humor even back then! " I was only kidding!" ROFLMAO I'm sorry martian_manhunter but even though I remembered that chronology by heart ( on the final exams three times the chosen subject through my high school years...LOL) I DID doublecheck after your doubts..and yes, that's when my books insist that Heraclius started out his campaign to regain the Holy places back! :o)

By the above post you can tell that Greek teachers are not so imaginative as to the subjects they choose for the exams... a good thing too as on history..we had to study at least 500 pages per sememster! LOL

I checked in some of my historical chronologies which say that heraclius went to war with the Persians that year (who had not yet converted to Islam).

then that clears the misunderstanding... :o) You are absolutely right! :o) I thought you were doubting the year and as I said..that was kind of too hard to forget! LOL Rena