Justinian I AD 527-565. Theoupolis (Antioch)
Follis or 40 Nummi Æ

33 mm, 17,81 g

D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG, Justinian enthroned facing, holding long sceptre and globe cruciger / Large M between star and crescent; above, cross; beneath, A; in exergue, +THEUP.

Very Fine

Sear 214.

Justinian I, also known as Justinian the Great, was a Byzantine emperor who reigned from AD 527 to 565. He is considered one of the most important and influential rulers of the Byzantine Empire, leaving a lasting impact on its history and culture. Justinian was born around AD 482 in Tauresium, which is in present-day North Macedonia. He came from humble origins but rose through the ranks of the Byzantine bureaucracy. He served as a trusted advisor to his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and eventually succeeded him as emperor. During his reign, Justinian implemented significant reforms in various aspects of Byzantine society and government. He is best known for his efforts to restore the territories of the Western Roman Empire that had been lost to invading tribes. His most famous general, Belisarius, led successful military campaigns that briefly reclaimed parts of Italy and North Africa. One of Justinian's most lasting legacies is his codification of Roman law. He commissioned a legal expert named Tribonian to compile and organize the existing Roman laws into a coherent legal code known as the "Corpus Juris Civilis" or the "Justinian Code." This legal code became the foundation of Byzantine law and had a profound influence on subsequent legal systems in Europe. Justinian was also a patron of art, architecture, and education. He commissioned numerous grand building projects, including the construction of the Hagia Sophia, one of the most famous and iconic buildings in the world. He also founded schools and universities to promote learning and scholarship. Despite his many achievements, Justinian's reign was not without challenges. He faced civil unrest and conflicts with various adversaries, both internally and externally. Additionally, the cost of his military campaigns and ambitious building projects put a strain on the Byzantine economy. Justinian I passed away in AD 565. He was succeeded by his nephew, Justin II. Although Justinian's efforts to restore the Roman Empire in the West were only temporary, his influence on Byzantine law, architecture, and culture left a profound and lasting impact on the Byzantine Empire and the broader history of civilization.