jjares reviewed Justinian I: A Captivating Guide to Justinian the Great and How This Emperor Ruled the Roman Empire on + 3278 more book reviews
This book brings to life the story of Justinian and Theodora, an incredibly powerful pair who ruled the Byzantine Empire. I'd like to comment that this was an easy-to-read book because the author explained complex concepts, such as Miaphysite Christianity, within the text.
Justinian and Theodora seemed to be an evenly matched pair because they each did much to improve the lives of their citizens. In the Eastern Empire, the church and state are linked, so Justinian was both the religious and political leader of his empire. I was surprised to see that Justinian persecuted pagans, even upper-echelon citizens who espoused paganism. Justinian enforced Christianity as the state religion; heretics were persecuted and pagans and Jews were forbidden their beliefs.
Justinian's goal was to revive Byzantine's greatness and to reconquer the other half of the lands known as the Roman Empire. Simultaneously, he codified laws (Corpus Juris Civilis) and did such a fine job that they lasted for about 1000 years. Our Western laws are taken from these Justinian laws.
In the realm of architectural achievements, the Hagia Sophia stands as a singular achievement. Our family saw it a few years ago and were overwhelmed with its beauty and uniqueness. Justinian also made massive improvements in Constantinople after the Nika revolt destroyed much of it. Justinian had buildings, bridges, churches, and aqueducts constructed all across Eastern Europe because of his passion for building.
This book does a nice job of explaining Theodora's importance to both Justinian and the Empire. She, having been a prostitute, changed laws to protect the poorest women and gave rights to women that they had not enjoyed before.
In Orthodox Christianity, Justinian is considered to be a saint. He had built many churches with impressive artwork and allowed citizens to worship in them. This cemented his place as a religious figure in the Orthodox Church.
Justinian and Theodora seemed to be an evenly matched pair because they each did much to improve the lives of their citizens. In the Eastern Empire, the church and state are linked, so Justinian was both the religious and political leader of his empire. I was surprised to see that Justinian persecuted pagans, even upper-echelon citizens who espoused paganism. Justinian enforced Christianity as the state religion; heretics were persecuted and pagans and Jews were forbidden their beliefs.
Justinian's goal was to revive Byzantine's greatness and to reconquer the other half of the lands known as the Roman Empire. Simultaneously, he codified laws (Corpus Juris Civilis) and did such a fine job that they lasted for about 1000 years. Our Western laws are taken from these Justinian laws.
In the realm of architectural achievements, the Hagia Sophia stands as a singular achievement. Our family saw it a few years ago and were overwhelmed with its beauty and uniqueness. Justinian also made massive improvements in Constantinople after the Nika revolt destroyed much of it. Justinian had buildings, bridges, churches, and aqueducts constructed all across Eastern Europe because of his passion for building.
This book does a nice job of explaining Theodora's importance to both Justinian and the Empire. She, having been a prostitute, changed laws to protect the poorest women and gave rights to women that they had not enjoyed before.
In Orthodox Christianity, Justinian is considered to be a saint. He had built many churches with impressive artwork and allowed citizens to worship in them. This cemented his place as a religious figure in the Orthodox Church.
