Final answer:
Empress Theodora used her influence as Justinian's most trusted advisor to initiate social reforms, advocate for the rights of women and children, and support significant building projects, including the Hagia Sophia. Her political prowess was critical during the Nika riots, helping Justinian retain his throne. She also established a legacy as a charitable and devoted Christian through her representation in Byzantine art.
Step-by-step explanation:
Empress Theodora wielded significant influence during the reign of her husband, Emperor Justinian. Despite her controversial origins as a former actress and possible courtesan, Theodora became a powerful figure in the Byzantine Empire.
She used her position to champion social reforms, particularly those benefiting women and children, such as working to free prostitutes from sexual slavery and expanding legal rights and protections for women, as well as protecting children from infanticide. Her political acumen was showcased early in Justinian's reign when she persuaded him to remain in Constantinople and face the Nika riots, an act that arguably saved his throne.
Moreover, she participated in the conception of legal revisions and grand architectural projects like the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, and her image in art and mosaics, such as the one in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, portrayed her as a patron of charity and Christian devotion.