What if everything you think you know about one of history's most powerful couples is based on ancient propaganda? In this episode, Michael Stevens exposes the lies that shaped how we remember Byzantine Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, revealing a story far more complex than the myths. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • How Procopius wrote three completely contradictory accounts of the same reign, including scandalous gossip that historians still debate today • Why Theodora literally saved the Byzantine Empire in 532 CE when she convinced Justinian not to flee during the deadly Nika riots • How this power couple reconquered half the old Roman Empire and created legal codes that still influence European law over 1,500 years later 👤 Perfect for: history lovers who want the real story behind the propaganda, especially if you're tired of one-dimensional historical narratives that miss the human drama. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Michael Stevens reveals the propaganda problem [01:45] Procopius: the historian who couldn't keep his story straight [03:30] Theodora's incredible rise from performer to empress [05:15] The Nika riots: how Theodora saved an empire [07:00] Justinian's reconquest: ambition meets reality [09:30] The legal legacy that outlasted the empire [11:00] Why these lies still matter today Stevens doesn't just debunk myths here. He shows you how to spot historical propaganda and why understanding these power dynamics matters for reading today's political theater. The patterns repeat, the stakes just change. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow When Rome Burns on your podcast app and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, and your next favorite historical revelation is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: Byzantine Empire, Justinian, Theodora, historical propaganda, Procopius, Nika riots, Roman reconquest, legal history

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---------- Keywords: australian history, operation citadel, founding fathers, historical disasters, hitler, nazi germany

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