Eastern Roman Empire; The Period of Rejoining

Culture History

03.05.2021

505

Eastern Roman Empire; The Period of Rejoining

“Justinianus” that aroused the empire from the era of demise and despair to resurgent made Romans remember their old glories. Especially, his conquests throughout Italy, northern Africa, Iberia, and his political systems are notable for understanding the inquiry and prominence of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Justinian I;

Mosaic of Justinianus I

Eastern Roman emperor Justinianus I was born in 482 in today’s “Skopje.” As a traditional Roman system, he was adopted by his uncle “Emperor Justin I” and was given the best education of the Eastern Roman Empire. At the reign of his uncle Justin I, Justinianus became one of the most prominent characters of the Eastern Roman Empire as promoting to “Consul.” In contrast to the old Roman law code, he married a normal Roman citizen, “Theodora,” who was blamed by Justin I’s wife Euphemia. In the last years of Justin I, Justinianus became the “co-emperor” of the Eastern Roman Empire in 527. In the same year, thereafter, the death of senior emperor Justin I, he became the sole emperor of the Eastern side. Actually, from his first years, he dealt with the complex structure of the Empire. Concentrating on the inhibition towards pagan people existed, and these “infidels” were forced to be Christians on Eastern lands. In order to strengthen his new authority, he promoted his supporters to government jobs and to do so. Preventing the precarious political system of a state can ensure political and social stabilization towards the ruling elite and Empire, purging hostiles and other sorts of groups from governmental policy helped the emperor to fruition. Primarily, empowering these movements through a composing of a strict law code (codex Iustinianos) originated and devoted from old Roman law codes provided Justinianus I to strengthen his authority towards the Empire.

Struggle with Sassanids;

In addition, the clashes with the Sassanid Empire on the east also an important point. The Sassanid Empire, under the conduct of Kavad I, was strengthening itself. Existing two dominions in the Middle East created a clash of two powers. With the Dara and Callinicum, Eastern Roman Empire made the Sassanid Empire submit and make eternal peace with the new Shahenshah Khousrou I in 532. After twenty years of peace, Khosrou I broke the peace and attacked Eastern Roman territories and their vassals. In contrast to the previous war, the Sassanid Empire prevailed this time. This incident could be accepted as the only non-achievement of Justinian I throughout his reign. Eastern Roman Empire, by paying tribute to the Sassanids, secured its eastern territories for a while. Therefore, the events with the Sassanid Empire in the east also a crucial principle.

Nika! Nika! Nika!

While Justinianus’s ambitious reign was pursuing, fanatics of Hippodrome started a rebellion against him. Fanatics of Hippodrome were a group of people who supported their teams in Hippodrome, such as the red team, yellow team, etc. It can be referred to like today’s football teams and their supporters. This rebellion that was cited as “Nika Riots” damaged the stabilized authority of Justinianus I. When the bureaucratic & elite groups helped them rebel rather than intervene, the Roman army crushed and slaughtered the rebels. The fanatic fought that caused the rebellion is actually the known part. Ayasofya The shadowed part was taxes and other forcing policies that were implemented by order of the emperor. Nevertheless, Emperor Justinian, I fixed the problems of the authority and launched an architecture program in Constantinople where was damaged in Nika Riots. Specifically, the reconstruction of Hagia Sophia was quite adorable. Historian Procopius defined reconstructed Hagia Sophia as;

“So, the church had the appearance that viewers fascinated…”

Not only Eastern Roman Emperor, but also Western as well;

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, barbarian tribes strengthened themselves in the western territories of Europe. Also, in the former Western Roman Empire’s territories, Ostrogoths in Italy, Visigoths in Spain, and Vandal’s in North Africa became a threat for the Eastern Roman Empire. As an Eastern Roman Emperor, Justinianus had different goals like gaining the old territories of the Roman Empire from previous emperors. Therefore, he decided to occupy the lands of Vandals at first, then Ostrogoths, and lastly, the Visigoths. Justinianus launched an attack on Vandals just “one” year after Nika Riot, which had left a negative impact on the Empire. Sequel to that war, Justinian I defeated the precarious hostiles of the Eastern Roman Empire and ensured the resurgence of the Empire. Justinian’s idea of abrogating the factionalism of two Roman Empires actually did not work a hundred percent. However, with this eloquently aims, Justinianus I made the history of doing so.

The Fundamental of Contemporary European Law System;

Rather than abrogating old-traditional Roman law codes, Justinianus’s composed of a new Roman law system with putting the old system as a fundamental of the new one. These law codes were called “Codex Iustinianus,” and today’s law system is based on this law code. As an Eastern Roman Emperor, Justinianus saw the law system as a milestone of the bureaucratic and political system. Even, Justinianus was carrying on producing new laws on the Roman system throughout his whole life.

To sum up, “Justinianus I” did well in terms of the law system, architecture, and conquests for the Eastern Roman Empire. Justinianus ensured Romans remember their past honors. Especially his achievements in politics and law, also his expeditions towards Italy, northern Africa, and Iberia, are essential for understanding the inquiry and prominence of the Eastern Roman Empire.

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