Marriage
Justinian II had first succeeded to the throne in 685. In 695, Justinian was deposed by a coup d'état under strategos Leontios. Justinian's nose and tongue were slit and he was exiled to Cherson in the Crimea.
Justinian stayed in Cherson for about seven years with no apparent incident. However rumors that the deposed Emperor was plotting his restoration came to the attention of the city authorities c. 702. They decided to arrest him and sent him to Constantinople. Surrendering his fate to Tiberios III. Justinian instead escaped Cherson and sought refuge in the court of Busir.
Busir welcomed the exile and formed a familial relation to Justinian by marrying him to his sister in 703. Her original name is not known. Theodora was her baptismal name and marks her conversion to Chalcedonian Christianity. The name was probably chosen to evoke memories of Theodora, wife of Justinian I. Busir provided the couple with funds and a house in Phanagoria.
Tiberios eventually took notice of the new marrital alliance and bribed Busir in exchange for the head of Justinian. According to the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor, c. 704 Busir dispatched two agents to perform the assassination of his brother-in-law, Balgitzin and Papatzys. Theodora was aware of their mission and warned her husband in advance. Justinian proceeded to strangle both men and sailed in a fishing boat back to Cherson.
Theodora was left behind in the custody of her brother. Their only known son Tiberios is considered to have been born at some point during the separation of his parents. Indicating Theodora was pregnant prior to the escape of her husband.
Read more about this topic: Theodora Of Khazaria
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