Geography

          Theodora was born somewhere in the east, probably Syria. She grew up in Constantinople. Later in her life she traveled into Alexandria, Egypt. That was were she became a Monophysite. Then she returned to Constantinople where she married Justinian and became empress. She remained in Constantinople for the rest of her life. Constantinople was a peninsula surrounded by the Black and Mediterranean Seas. It was great for trade because it was right near Asia, Europe, and North Africa. It was also easy to defend. Constantinople also produced silk. To get silk, they stole silkworms from Persia.  Theodora and Justinian expanded the Byzantine Empire. At great cost they reconquered Italy.                (Judson Knight, p. 203-205)