Byzantium and Justinian I (527 - 565 CE)

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I was listening to a series of videos (9 altogether) about Justinian and his rule of Byzantium, 1 April 527 – 14 November 565

It looks like someone rolled the whole series into one 7 hr-21 min video



There are references to plague in the region, which affected the armies, and particularly the major trading centers of all the major empires.

Justinian's rule overlaps with the significant climate event of 536 (ostensibly a huge volcanic eruption that greatly affected agriculture in the N Hemisphere.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/536-ad-the-worst-year-in-history.1007021/

Parts of Justinian's period can be divided into:

Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justinian_I (lengthy article)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire

During the war with the Sassanid Empire, in 530, there was a battle of Dara in what is now the Mardin Province in S Turkey on the border with Syria
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dara
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardin_Province
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dara_(Mesopotamia) - back in the day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_of_Justinian
The three great occurrences of bubonic plague, which may have played a role in the depopulation of some areas in the Neolithic period (~3000 BCE). "Research in 2018 found evidence of Yersinia pestis in an ancient Swedish tomb, which may have been associated with the "Neolithic decline" around 3000 BCE, in which European populations fell significantly."
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Death#Previous_plague_epidemics

https://jmvh.org/article/the-history-of-plague-part-1-the-three-great-pandemics/

I remember getting bits and pieces when studying ancient and world history, but not a lot of the details (it was mostly names and dates, and snippets of events), which ostensibly would be covered in a university course in Ancient History - and probably one devoted to the Byzantine empire.
 
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Astronuc said:
I was listening to a series of videos (9 altogether) about Justinian and his rule of Byzantium, 1 April 527 – 14 November 565

It is also a podcast in case you get hooked. It is currently on episode 278. I love it.
https://thehistoryofbyzantium.com/

Part of the reason we know so much about Justinian is the historian Prokopius. His “History of the Wars” is a positive portrayal. His “Secret History” not so much.
https://www.amazon.com/Wars-Justinian-Hackett-Classics/dp/162466170X/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-History-Related-Hackett-Classics/dp/1603841806/?tag=pfamazon01-20

The episode on the plague is to die for. Episode 27- The Walking Dead
 
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What were the major achievements of Justinian I during his reign?

Justinian I, also known as Justinian the Great, was notable for his ambitious project to reconsolidate the Roman Empire, which included military campaigns to reclaim territories in Africa, Italy, and the western Mediterranean. His most lasting achievements, however, are in the realm of law and architecture. He commissioned the Corpus Juris Civilis, or the "Body of Civil Law," which was a comprehensive codification of Roman legal materials that continues to influence the legal systems of many modern countries. Additionally, Justinian is famous for his architectural contributions, most notably the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture in Constantinople.

How did Justinian I attempt to restore the Roman Empire?

Justinian I sought to restore the Roman Empire by reconquering former Roman territories lost over the previous centuries. He deployed his generals, most notably Belisarius and Narses, on military campaigns against the Vandal kingdom in North Africa, the Ostrogoths in Italy, and the Visigoths in Spain. These efforts were initially successful, leading to the temporary restoration of Roman control over significant parts of the Western Roman Empire. However, these gains proved difficult to maintain in the long term due to logistical challenges and persistent resistance from local populations.

What was the impact of the Justinianic Plague?

The Justinianic Plague, which first struck the Byzantine Empire in 541 CE and recurred in waves until about 750 CE, had a profound impact on the empire. It is estimated to have killed millions of people, significantly reducing the population of the Byzantine Empire and its economic power. The plague weakened the empire's ability to defend its borders and maintain its hold over conquered territories. It also strained financial resources, as fewer taxpayers remained, and disrupted trade and agriculture, leading to long-term economic difficulties.

What role did Theodora play during Justinian’s reign?

Theodora, Justinian's wife, played a crucial and influential role during his reign. She was not only a close advisor to the emperor but also an active participant in imperial decision-making. Theodora is particularly noted for her role in helping to quell the Nika Riots in 532 CE, where her resolve and counsel were pivotal in preventing Justinian from fleeing Constantinople and in orchestrating the violent suppression of the uprising. She also had significant influence in religious and social reforms, advocating for the rights of women, including the establishment of laws prohibiting trafficking and expanding the rights of women in divorce and property ownership.

How did religious policies under Justinian I affect the Byzantine Empire?

Justinian I was a staunch defender of Orthodox Christianity and sought to strengthen religious unity across the empire. His policies included the suppression of paganism and heretical Christian sects, such as the Monophysites, which often led to religious strife and division. Justinian's efforts to impose religious conformity included reconverting pagan temples into Christian churches and enforcing the orthodox Nicene creed against all other religious interpretations. While aiming to unify the empire under Orthodox Christianity, these policies sometimes had the opposite effect, exacerbating divisions within the empire and contributing to tensions with neighboring states and entities that held different religious views.

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