Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theodora | 2010 | Stella Duffy | Buy |
| 2 | The Purple Shroud | 2012 | Stella Duffy | Buy |
| 3 | The Purple Shroud: A Novel of Empress Theodora | 2012 | Stella Duffy | N/A |
The Empress Theodora series by Stella Duffy is set in the Byzantine Empire and follows the life of Theodora, who rose from a performer to become empress. Theodora (2010) began the story, and The Purple Shroud (2012) continued it, with the purple referencing the imperial color of Byzantine royalty.
The historical setting draws on the real life of Empress Theodora, wife of Emperor Justinian I, who ruled in the 6th century. The series blends historical fact with fictional reconstruction of one of history’s most notable women.