As for Theodora, her disposition was governed by the most hardened and inveterate cruelty.

She never did anything either under persuasion or compulsion, but employed all her self-willed efforts to carry out her resolutions, and no one ventured to intercede in favour of those who fell in her way.

Neither length of time, nor fulness of punishment, nor carefully drawn-up prayers, nor the fear of death, nor the vengeance of Heaven, by awe of which the whole human race is impressed, could persuade her to abate her wrath.

In a word, no one ever saw Theodora reconciled to one who had offended her, either during his lifetime or after his death; for the children of the deceased father inherited the hatred of the Empress, as if it were part of his patrimony; and, when he died, left it in turn to his sons.
Her mind was ever most readily stirred to the destruction of men, and was incapable of being checked.

She bestowed upon her person greater care than necessity demanded, but less than her desire prompted her to.