One of the Byzantine Empire’s greatest emperors was Justinian I or Justinian the Great. He conquered almost all of the land previously occupied by the Roman Empire, built the magnificent church the Hagia Sophia, and wrote Justinian’s Code. Justinian had assistant accomplishing these things from his wife, Empress Theodora. Most Byzantine Empresses took an active part in governing the empire, but none more so than Theodora. While Justinian was commanding the army or working on a project, Theodora took charge of much of the day to day business. She also improved women’s rights and abolished some unfair laws against them. A few Byzantine Empresses ruled alone, although the vast majority ruled with either their husband or son. The first Empress to rule alone was Empress Irene, who ruled independently from 797 to 802 after briefly being co-emperor with her husband and murdering her son. Unfortunately, Empress Irene proved to be a disastrous empress, almost bankrupting the empire, and was exiled to the island of Lesbos after people rebelled against her. Another great emperor was Basil…