Soon afterwards, however, she died.
Justin was in his second childhood and so sunk in senility that he was the laughing-stock of his subjects.

All despised him utterly, and disregarded him because he was incompetent to control State affairs, but they paid their court to Justinian with awe, for he terrified them all by his love of disturbance and reckless innovations.
He then resolved to bring about his marriage with Theodora.

It was forbidden by the most ancient laws of the State that anyone of the senatorial order should marry a courtesan; so he prevailed upon the Emperor to repeal the existing law and introduce a new one, whereby he was allowed to live with Theodora as his legitimate wife, and it became possible for anyone else to marry a courtesan.

He also straightway assumed the demeanour of absolute despot, veiling his forcible seizure of power under the pretext of reasons of State.

He was proclaimed Emperor of the Romans, as his uncle's colleague.
Whether this was legal or not may be doubted, since he owed his election to the terror with which he inspired those who gave him their votes.
So Justinian and Theodora ascended the Imperial throne three days before Easter, at a time when it is forbidden to make visits or even to greet one's friends.