25 Facts About Justin I

Justin I was the Eastern Roman emperor from 518 to 527.

Justin I's reign is significant for the founding of the Justinian dynasty that included his eminent nephew, Justinian I, and three succeeding emperors.

Justin I was noted for his strongly orthodox Christian views.

Justin I endeavoured to cultivate client states on the borders of the Empire, and avoided any significant warfare until late in his reign.

Justin I was a peasant and possibly a swineherd by occupation, from the region of Dardania, part of the Prefecture of Illyricum.

Justin I was born in the hamlet Baderiana near Scupi.

Illiterate at the time of his arrival there, Justin I joined the newly formed palace guard, the excubitors.

Justin I served in various positions, campaigning against the Isaurians and the Sassanian Persians and was noticed for his bravery.

However, Justin I controlled a smaller, but higher-quality group of soldiers, and used the money to buy support for himself.

Justin I was elected as the new emperor by the council and was proclaimed emperor in the Hippodrome as JustinI.

Justin I's wife became his empress consort under the name Euphemia.

Justin I was a local saint of Chalcedon and the Council of Chalcedon had taken place in a cathedral consecrated in her name.

Justin I cemented his position by assassinating potential opponents, especially anti-Chalcedonian supporters of Anastasius.

Justin I endeavoured to cultivate client states on the borders of the Empire, and avoided any significant warfare until late in his reign.

Justin I was baptized as a Christian and married a Byzantine noblewoman, Valeriana.

In 524, the Sassanid emperor Kavadh I approached Justin I asking that he formally adopt his youngest son, Khosrow, in order to secure his succession over his elder, but less favoured, brothers.

Justin I was agreeable, but, aware that, being childless himself, an adopted Persian son would have a claim on the Byzantine throne, offered adoption according to barbarian custom.

Justin I's reign is noteworthy for the resolution of the Acacian schism between the eastern and western branches of the Christian church.

Justin I despatched Pope John I, Pope Hormisdas' successor, to Constantinople with firm instructions to obtain a policy reversal.

John received an exceptionally warm welcome; the population of Constantinople applauded him, Justin I laid on celebrations, prostrated himself at the Pope's feet and insisted on being re-crowned by the Pope's hands.

In either 519 or 522 Justin I abandoned the tradition of depicting pagan symbols on the reverse of his coins and seals.

The later years of the reign of Justin I were marked by increased tension with the Empire's neighbours, especially the Ostrogoths, and the Sassanids.

Justin I arranged for sufficient money to be sent to the city for both immediate relief and to start reconstruction.

In 525, Justin I repealed a law that effectively prohibited a member of the senatorial class from marrying women from a lower class of society, including the theatre, which was considered scandalous at the time.

Justin I came to participate in Justinian's rule with very significant and powerful influence.