Justinian

Justinian I (Latin: Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus Augustus; Greek: Φλάβιος Πέτρος Σαββάτιος Ἰουστινιανός; 482 – 14 November 565), traditionally known as Justinian the Great and also Saint Justinian the Great in the Eastern Orthodox Church, was a Byzantine (East Roman) emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the historical Roman Empire. Justinian's rule constitutes a distinct epoch in the history of the Later Roman empire, and his reign is marked by the ambitious but only partly realized renovatio imperii, or "restoration of the Empire".

Early life

Justinian was born in Tauresium, Dardania, around 482. A native speaker of Latin (possibly the last Roman emperor to be one), he came from a peasant family believed to have been of Illyro-Roman or Thraco-Roman origins. The cognomen Iustinianus, which he took later, is indicative of adoption by his uncle Justin. During his reign, he served as Justin's close confidant.

Reign

Justinian became emperor on 1 August 527. He may already have exerted effective control during the reign of his uncle, Justin I, and succeeded upon Justin I's death. His administration had a profound impact on the empire, particularly through his legal reforms, his architectural innovations, and his military campaigns.

Legacy

Justinian's reign is marked by the ambitious but only partly realized renovatio imperii, or "restoration of the Empire". His general, Belisarius, swiftly conquered the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa, extending Roman control to the Atlantic Ocean. His prefect Liberius reclaimed most of southern Iberia, establishing the province of Spania. These campaigns re-established Roman control over the western Mediterranean, increasing the Empire's annual revenue by over a million solidi.

See also

• Byzantine Empire
• Roman Empire
• Belisarius
• Vandal Kingdom

External links

• Encyclopedia Britannica: Justinian I

Justinian Resources
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