- Theodora (10th century)
Theodora was a senatrix and "serenissima vestaratrix" of
Rome , mother ofMarozia , concubine toPope Sergius III , whosepontificate , so far as is known, was remarkable for nothing but the rise of thepornocracy of Theodora and her daughters, a period also called the "Rule of the Harlots".Theodora was a grandmother of
Pope John XI , a son of Marozia and—according toLiutprand of Cremona and the "Liber Pontificalis "—Pope Sergius III . A third contemporary source, however—the annalist Flodoard (c. 894-966)—says John XI was brother of Alberic II, the latter being the offspring of Marozia and her husband Alberic I. Hence John too was probably the son of Marozia and Alberic I.Theodora was characterized by the aforementioned Liutprand, Italian historian and
bishop of Cremona , as a "shameless whore ... [who] exercised power on the Roman citizenry like a man." This bishop of Cremona was described by theCatholic Encyclopedia as frequently being unfair to his adversaries and could be partial in his judgments. Seeing how many in the church were biased against female rule, not all that has been written by him can therefore be taken as undisputed truth.References
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09313a.htm The Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Liutprand of Cremona]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.