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Justinian I becomes the sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire after the death of his uncle Justin I

Justinian I (Latin: Iustinianus, Ancient Greek: Ἰουστινιανός, romanized: Ioustinianós; 482 – 14 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 527 to 565. His reign was...

Justinian I (Latin: Iustinianus, Ancient Greek: Ἰουστινιανός, romanized: Ioustinianós; 482 – 14 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 527 to 565.

His reign was marked by the ambitious but only partly realized renovatio imperii, or 'restoration of the Empire'. This ambition was expressed by the partial recovery of the territories of the defunct Western Roman Empire. His general, Belisarius, swiftly conquered the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa. Subsequently, Belisarius, Narses, and other generals conquered the Ostrogothic Kingdom, restoring Dalmatia, Sicily, Italy, and Rome to the empire after more than half a century of rule by the Ostrogoths.

Historical Significance

Justinian I (Latin: Iustinianus, Ancient Greek: Ἰουστινιανός, romanized: Ioustinianós; 482 – 14 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 527 to 565.

Key People

Justinian I

Roman emperor from 527 to 565 AD

Roman emperor from 527 to 565 AD

Events Before

  1. Pope Hormisdas reign as Catholic Pope ends with his death

    Pope Hormisdas reign as Catholic Pope ends with his death

  2. Godomar, King of the Burgundians, defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce

    Godomar II (also spelled Gundomar), son of king Gundobad, was king of Burgundy. Following the death of his older brother Sigismund in 524, he ruled Burgundy until 534.

  3. Battle of Vézeronce: the Franks defeat the Burgundians

    Battle of Vézeronce: the Franks defeat the Burgundians

  4. Possible date of the Antioch earthquake in the Byzantine Empire (present-day Syria), which kills 200,000 people

    Possible date of the Antioch earthquake in the Byzantine Empire (present-day Syria), which kills 200,000 people

  5. St Felix IV begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    St Felix IV begins his reign as Catholic Pope

Events After

  1. Roman Emperor Justinian appoints a commission to compile a single code of imperial constitutions (Justinian Code publish

    Roman Emperor Justinian appoints a commission to compile a single code of imperial constitutions (Justinian Code published 529)

  2. First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis or the Justinian Code (a fundamental work in jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Rom

    First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis or the Justinian Code (a fundamental work in jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I

  3. Boniface II begins his reign as Catholic Pope on the death of Pope Felix IV

    Boniface II begins his reign as Catholic Pope on the death of Pope Felix IV

  4. Discorus short reign as Catholic antipope ends with his death

    Discorus short reign as Catholic antipope ends with his death

  5. Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian appoints a commission to codify the works of classical jurists (the Digest published 53

    Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian appoints a commission to codify the works of classical jurists (the Digest published 533)

More from the 520s

Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne

Justinian I (Latin: Iustinianus, Ancient Greek: Ἰουστινιανός, romanized: Ioustinianós; 482 – 14 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 527 to 565. His reign was...

First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis or the Justinian Code (a fundamental work in jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Rom

First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis or the Justinian Code (a fundamental work in jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I

Possible date of the Antioch earthquake in the Byzantine Empire (present-day Syria), which kills 200,000 people

Possible date of the Antioch earthquake in the Byzantine Empire (present-day Syria), which kills 200,000 people

BC Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta, securing his position as king of the Persian Empire

Darius I (Old Persian: 𐎭𐎠𐎼𐎹𐎺𐎢𐏁 Dārayavaʰuš; c. 550 – 486 BCE), commonly known as Darius the Great, was the third King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 522 BCE until his death...

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 1, 527?
Justinian I (Latin: Iustinianus, Ancient Greek: Ἰουστινιανός, romanized: Ioustinianós; 482 – 14 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 527 to 565. His reign was marked by the ambitious but only partly realized renovatio imperii, or 'restoration of the Empire'. This ambition was expressed by the partial recovery of the territories of the defunct Western Roman Empire.
Why is Justinian I becomes the sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire after the death of... significant?
Justinian I (Latin: Iustinianus, Ancient Greek: Ἰουστινιανός, romanized: Ioustinianós; 482 – 14 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 527 to 565.
Who was involved in Justinian I becomes the sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire after the death of...?
Key figures include Justinian I (Roman emperor from 527 to 565 AD).

Explore More

August 1 in HistoryYear 527