Knowra Byzantine Empire under the Justinian dynasty Byzantine Empire under the Justinian dynasty The Byzantine Empire under Justinian I and his successors, from 518 to 602, pursued western reconquest, codified Roman law, and undertook major building projects.
Justinian's reconquests : The campaigns that recovered North Africa, Italy, and parts of Spain for the Eastern Roman Empire. They were the dynasty’s defining effort to restore Roman rule in the western Mediterranean.
Justinian I : Byzantine emperor from 527 to 565, known for legal reform, monumental construction, and western reconquest. His reign gave the dynasty its characteristic program and historical reputation.
Eastern Roman Empire : The continuation of the Roman Empire in the eastern Mediterranean after the western imperial government fell in 476. The Justinian dynasty ruled this continuing Roman state, later called Byzantine.
Nika riots : A violent uprising in Constantinople in 532, suppressed by Justinian’s government. The revolt nearly ended Justinian’s reign and prompted a vast rebuilding of the capital.
Corpus Juris Civilis : The body of Roman law compiled under Justinian, comprising the Code, Digest, Institutes, and Novels. Its preservation and transmission made Justinian’s legal reforms influential far beyond his empire.
Code of Justinian : A sixth-century compilation and revision of Roman law commissioned by Justinian I. Its legal program organized imperial law for administration and later generations.
Theodora : Byzantine empress and wife of Justinian I, influential in court politics during the sixth century. Her political influence was especially visible during the Nika revolt.
Roman law : The legal traditions and institutions developed in ancient Rome and adapted across the Roman Empire. Justinian’s legal codification gathered and revised this inherited body of law.
Hagia Sophia : A monumental church built in Constantinople under Justinian I and completed in 537. It remains the most celebrated architectural expression of Justinian’s imperial authority.
Byzantine Italy : The territories in Italy governed by the Byzantine Empire, particularly after Justinian’s reconquest. Reclaimed Italy remained under imperial rule but required costly defense.
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