The Board of Justinian I
The highest flourishing in the early period of its history, Byzantium reached under Emperor Justinian I, who was born in the family of a poor Macedonian peasant. In Justinian’s life, his uncle, Justin’s mother, played an important role, a poorly educated peasant who had traveled from a simple soldier to an emperor. Thanks to Uncle Justinian, a teenager came to Constantinople, received a good education, and at the age of 45 became emperor.
Justinian was short, white-faced, disposed appearance. In his character, the most controversial features were combined: directness and kindness bordered on cunning and deceit, generosity – greedily, determination – with fear. Justinian, for example, was indifferent to luxury, but spent considerable funds for the restructuring and finishing of Constantinople. The rich architecture of the capital and the magnificence of the imperial methods amazed the barbarian rulers and ambassadors. But when in the middle of VI. there
Since the beginning of his reign, Justinian has cherished the dream of reviving the Roman Empire. To this he devoted all his activity. For his amazing performance, Justinian was nicknamed “the emperor who never sleeps.” True faith to him was the wife of Theodore. She was born in a simple family and in her youth was a circus actress. The beauty of the girl struck Justinian, and he, in spite of many ill-wishers, married her. This woman of unyielding will actually became the co-ruler of her husband: she accepted foreign ambassadors, conducted diplomatic correspondence.
Justinian tried to increase the wealth of the country, and therefore actively promoted the development of crafts and trade. During his reign Byzantines established their own silk production, the sale of which brought considerable profits. The emperor also sought to strengthen the management system. Any person, even of non-common origin, but a real specialist, could get a high public office.
In 528, Justinian formed a legal commission
VI century. From the work of Procopius of Caesarea’s “War with the Persians”
The Emperor Justinian and his entourage consulted how best to do: stay here, whether to flee on ships. Much spoke in the interests of both the first and second ideas. And now the Empress Theodore said: “Now, I think, it’s not the time to argue whether it’s worthy for a woman to be steadfast in front of men and to face confused youthful fervor.” It seems to me that escape is an unworthy act. “However, one who once ruled, to be a fugitive shameful. I do not want to lose this scarlet and survive until the day when the subjects will not call me their mistress! If you want to escape, emperor, then it is not difficult. We have a lot of money, and the sea is nearby, and there are ships. But see that you, the saved, do not then have to choose death, than such salvation.
For the power of Justinian, the beginning of 532 was critical, when a major uprising of “Nika!” Broke out in Constantinople. . It was such a cry from the insurgents. They burned down the taxation lists, seized the prison and released prisoners. Justinian in desperation was preparing to escape from the capital. Theodora managed to convince her husband to take the necessary measures, and the uprising was suppressed.
Deprived of a formidable inner danger, Justinian embarked on the realization of his cherished dream of restoring the empire in the West. He managed to win back the former Roman possessions from the Vandals, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, and the territory of Byzantium almost doubled.
Impossible taxes for warfare led the Byzantines to complete impoverishment, so after the death of Justinian, the people breathed a sigh of relief. The population also suffered from the terrible epidemic of the plague 541 542, nicknamed in the people “Justinian”. It claimed almost half the population of Byzantium. The power of the state, reached under Justinian, was fragile, and the restoration of the boundaries of the Roman Empire turned out to be artificial.
Crimson is a long outer garment of expensive scarlet colored fabric worn by monarchs.
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