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Justinian I, born Flavius Petrus Sabbatius ( May 11, 483 - November 13/ 14, 565). He served as Eastern Roman Emperor from AD August 1, 527 to November 13/ 14, 565.1 Life
Justinian I was born in a small village called Tauresina ( Taor ) in Illyricum (near Skopje), in the Balkan peninsula, probably on May 11, 483 to Vigilantia, the sister of the highly esteemed General Justin, who rose from the ranks of the army to become emperor. His uncle Justin adopted him and ensured the boy's education. Justinian completed the usual course of education, occupying himself with jurisprudence and philosophy. His military career featured rapid advancement, and a great future opened up for him when, in 518Events July 9 Justin becomes Roman emperor September 29 Severus, Patriarch of Antioch is deposed by a synod for his Monophysitism. Paul I is appointed to replace him. Births Deaths July 15 Anastasius I, Roman emperor Flavian II, former Patriarch of Antioc, Justin became emperor. Justinian was appointed Consul in 521Events Future Byzantine emperor Justinian becomes consul. Samson of Dol is ordained as a bishop. Births December 7 Saint Columba at Gartan, Donegal Deaths Jacob of Serugh, Syrian writer 521., and later as commander of the army of the east. He was functioning as virtual regent long before Justin made him associate emperor on April 1April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. Events 527 Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne. 1789 In New York City, the United Stat, 527.
Four months later Justinian became the sole sovereign. His administration had world-wide impact, constituting a distinct epoch in the history of the Byzantine EmpireThe Byzantine Empire or Eastern Roman Empire was the eastern section of the Roman Empire, with its capital at Constantinople (modern Istanbul), which remained in existence after the fall of Rome in the 5th century. The Byzantine period is usually consider and the Orthodox Church. He was a man of unusual capacity for work, and possessed a temperate, affable, and lively character; but was also unscrupulous and crafty when it served him. He was the last emperor to attempt to restore the Roman Empire to the territories it enjoyed under Theodosius I. To this end he directed his great wars and his colossal activity in building. Starting from the premise that the existence of a commonwealth rested upon arms and laws, he paid particular attention to legislation, and wrought a lasting memorial for himself by codifying the Roman law (the Codex Justinianus and the Novellae Constitutiones).
In 523 he married Theodora, a former actress. Actresses were socially akin to prostitutes prior to the reign of Justin I, and Justinian would in earlier times been unable to marry her. Justin had passed a law allowing intermarriage between social classes, which, during Justinian's reign, led to a blurring of class distinctions at the Byzantine court. Theodora would become very influential in the politics of the Empire, and later emperors would follow Justinian's precedent and marry outside of the aristocratic class.
Procopius provides our primary source for the history of Justinian's reign, although the chronicle of John of Ephesus (which survives as the basis for many later chronicles) contributes many valuable details. Both historians became very bitter towards Justinian and Theodora. Aside from his main history Procopius also wrote the Secret History, which reports on various scandals at Justinian's court.
Theodora died in 548; Justinian outlived her for almost 20 years, and died on November 13 or 14, 565.
