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PROLOGUE HISTORYMAKERS Justinian I P Byzantine Emperor Section 1 Powerful and ambitious, Justinian was known as the “emperor who never slept.”

s the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian had goals Justinian found the collection of laws from the Ato restore the empire to its former greatness by old Roman empire confusing and set about to regaining lost land, rebuilding great cities, and streamline them. He appointed a ten-man commis- streamlining government. During his reign he was sion to sort out outdated laws and recast the laws successful in achieving these goals. Although he into contemporary language. Justinian explained his regained much of the former Roman Empire, he is reasons for the creation of the code: best known for creating a unified set of rules for all “Imperial majesty should not only be of the empire. The revised body of law is called adorned with military might but also graced Justinian’s Code. This code is the foundation of law by laws, so that in times of peace and war in the western world today. alike the state may be governed aright and Justinian was born in a Latin speaking part of so that the Emperor by not only shine forth the Balkans in A.D. 483. Bright and ambitious, he victories on the battlefield, but may also by soon attracted the support of his uncle, a military every legal means cast out the wickedness commander in Constantinople. The uncle, Justin, of the perverters of justice, and thus at one became Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire and the same time prove as assiduous [ded- (Byzantine) in 513. Justin relied heavily on the icated] in upholding the law as he is tri- advice of Justinian. Justinian was adopted by his umphant over his vanquished foes.” uncle and became the co-emperor in 527. Justinian’s wife, Theodora, became Empress. Justinian’s Code helped to establish the principle of Theodora, too, was strong willed and ambitious. government by laws, not people. She was the daughter of a bear trainer. Before mar- rying into royalty, she had been an actress. Questions Historians credit her with giving Justinian the courage to put down a rebellion against him in 532. 1. Analyzing Causes and Recognizing Effects Justinian regularly relied on her advice. In what way might the regaining of lands from Justinian surrounded himself with the finest the old Roman Empire have inspired Justinian’s generals and government administrators. Their need for a legal code? leadership and advice restored much of the glory of 2. Making Inferences Why did Justinian believe it the early Roman Empire. His generals reclaimed was important to establish a government guided large sections of the Western Roman Empire and by written laws? North Africa from the barbarian invaders who had 3. Drawing Conclusions How significant was claimed it. He continued to fight with the Persians Justinian’s Code in the developing ideas of to maintain control of the empire’s eastern borders. democracy? cDougal Littell Inc. All rights reserved. ©M

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