Quiz for Document Project 8: Theodora of Constantinople: The Demonization of an Empress

1. Question

   Which of the following negative trends did Procopius suggest was the result of Theodora’s behavior (see Document 8.1)?

   A.

   A steep rise in petty crime

   B.

   A steep decline in church attendance

   C.

   A steep rise in wives cheating on husbands

   D.

   A steep rise in husbands cheating on wives

   Correct: The answer is c. Procopius claimed that Theodora protected convicted adulteresses from punishment, at the same time that she set an example for other women by taking on numerous lovers.

   Incorrect: The answer is c. Procopius claimed that Theodora protected convicted adulteresses from punishment, at the same time that she set an example for other women by taking on numerous lovers.

   Which of the following negative trends did Procopius suggest was the result of Theodora’s behavior (see Document 8.1)?

2. Question

   How did Justinian’s changes to Byzantine marriage law implicitly counter the arguments made by Procopius and others against his marriage to Theodora (see Document 8.2)?

   A.

   By making reference to Roman legal precedent in such matters

   B.

   By underscoring Justinian’s right as emperor to do as he chose

   C.

   By arguing that those who had sinned in the past should not be deprived of hope of improvement in their status in the future

   D.

   By accusing opponents of Justinian’s marriage law of hypocrisy

   Correct: The answer is c. Justinian claimed to be mirroring God’s willingness to pardon sinners, accept their repentance, and help them live a better life in the future.

   Incorrect: The answer is c. Justinian claimed to be mirroring God’s willingness to pardon sinners, accept their repentance, and help them live a better life in the future.

   How did Justinian’s changes to Byzantine marriage law implicitly counter the arguments made by Procopius and others against his marriage to Theodora (see Document 8.2)?

3. Question

   Justinian proposed to put an end to corruption by forbidding (see Document 8.3)

   A.

   officeholders from paying for their offices.

   B.

   Byzantine elites from holding public office.

   C.

   officeholders from remaining in office more than two years.

   D.

   officeholders from holding two or more offices at once.

   Correct: The answer is a. Justinian argued that so long as officeholders had to pay to get their offices, they would resort to illegal methods to ensure that their offices proved profitable.

   Incorrect: The answer is a. Justinian argued that so long as officeholders had to pay to get their offices, they would resort to illegal methods to ensure that their offices proved profitable.

   Justinian proposed to put an end to corruption by forbidding (see Document 8.3)

4. Question

   What lesson did Procopius draw from his brief history of corruption in Byzantine government (see Document 8.3)?

   A.

   That Justinian’s efforts to curb corruption were well-meaning but insufficient

   B.

   That Justinian’s ignorance of the behavior of his officials was unforgiveable

   C.

   That, under the right conditions, there is no limit to the wickedness of nature

   D.

   That political corruption was a just punishment for the wickedness of the Byzantine people

   Correct: The answer is c. Procopius blamed Justinian for creating conditions in which evil could grow both in scale and audacity.

   Incorrect: The answer is c. Procopius blamed Justinian for creating conditions in which evil could grow both in scale and audacity.

   What lesson did Procopius draw from his brief history of corruption in Byzantine government (see Document 8.3)?