Justinian I

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Justinian I

• AD 527-AD565

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Character

• Became Emperor at 45
• Devout, determined stubborn.
• Rather than allow problems to develop, he took
  steps to prevent them ( he preferred to invade
  rather than be invaded)

• Procopius (Historian) praised him as even -
  tempered and hard working. In a Secret History
  he wrote he had been, devious, false,
  hypocritical, two faced, cruel, skilled in
  dissembling his thought, never moved to tears by
  either joy or pain.a liar always.

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Military Career

• He funded his military ventures by taxing the
  people heavily.
• His armies dominated Vandals in North Africa,
  Ostrogoths in Italy, Visigoths in Southern Spain.
• Long-term his campaigns werent successful. His
  attempt to capture Rome led to 18 years of
  chaotic siege and counter-siege, leaving the once
  proud city in ruins.

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Dual Role - Head of Church State

• Absolute head of both Christian Church and the
  state.
• His throne was built for 2 (Himself Jesus)
• As Emperor he ruled by Divine Right
• Higher than the patriarch in Constantinople
• He chose appointed the patriarch

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Accomplishments

• Codified 400 years of Roman Law
• Believed most of the laws were unnecessary and no
  longer relevant.
• Appointed Tribonian and 10 scholars to revise the
  laws
• This was called Corpus Jurius Civilis (Body of
  Civil Law)
• Known as the Code of Justinian, became the basis
  for much of Western legal codes in subsequent
  centuries.

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More Achievements

• Massive public works building programs
• Ordered new bridges, churches, monasteries,
  forums, forts, roads, hospitals, public baths,
  recreation centers, a law library and a seaside
  park filled with bronze and marble statues
• When Antioch was destroyed by an earthquake, he
  had the entire city rebuilt.