Justinian

Justinian

1. Recovered much land

   • temporarily reconquered North Africa, Italy, and the southern Iberian penisula
     • The attacks led to a weakened treasury and weakened territories in the east.
   • The general that lead the attacks was Belisarius

2. Created Justinian Code

   • Justinian collected, revised, and organized all the laws of Rome
     • laws were from roman assemblies, decrees from emperor, legal writing of judges, and student handbooks
   • Also called Body of Civil Laws
   • Used by monarchs in Western Europe and today's legal thinkers for international law
   • unified the empire

3. He is an autocrat

   • sole ruler with complete authority
     • had complete authority over everything spiritual and political
     • Was seen as Christ's co-ruler on Earth

4. rebuilt Constantinople

   • This included the building of the Hagia Sophia
     • The Hagia Sophia means Holy Wisdom
     • The Hagia Sophia has a large dome and beautiful interior
     • The Hagia Sophia was a church for Christians and Muslims.
   • destroyed due to riots

5. allowed wife, Theodora, to be advisor and co-ruler

   • Theodora was a shrewd politician and pursued her own policies.
   • talked Justinian into staying in Constantinople and to defeat the revolts, keeping Justinian as ruler
     • This was one of the many times where Theodora challenged the emperor and showed her courage