EMPEROR JUSTINIAN

LIFE

• He was born in Thrace
• Lived from 482-565 AD
• Ruled from April 1, 527AD-November 14, 565 AD
• His wife was Theodora
• He ruled with his uncle

LIFE

• His given name was Flavius Petrus Sabbitus
• He was given the name Justinian in honor of his uncle
• His native language was Thracian, but the language died out
• He was adopted by his uncle either before or after his uncle became emperor
• He got his education in Constantinople

WHILE HE WAS THE EMPEROR

• He was a Christian emperor
• He was sometimes called, "The last of the Romans"
• Because of his hard work he was often called, "The emperor that never sleeps"

LAW MAKING

• He was famous for the Codex Justinianus (Code of Justinian)
• His wife, Theodora, her name was in almost all laws passed in this time

His most outstanding building is the great church Santa Sophia, which today is the famous mosque 'Aya Sophia' in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

THEODORA

LIFE BEFORE EMPRESS

• She was an actress
• She had a child before she was married
• It was against the law to marry an actress
• Actresses had bad reputations

EMPRESS

• Justinian made her a trusted advisor before he could marry her.
• She was the most powerful woman in Byzantine history.
• She was very intelligent and knew how to run an empire.
• She used her power to promote religious and social policies.
• She was the first ruler to recognize women's rights.

INTERESTING FACTS

• Justinian introduced new laws that protected both women and slaves.
• There was a horrible plague around 540 AD, Justinian got sick but recovered.
• He was the last emperor to speak Latin.
• He wasn't as great as every one says..

Theodora helped end the Nika rebellion. It all started because Justinian went tax crazy and tried taxing everything. During a chariot race the poor people and rich people drove Justinian out of his palace. Justinian's council told him to run and get out of town but Theodora convinced him to stay and fight.

Justinian got creative when it came to taxing the people. He started saying that people were donating money to him but really he was just taking it. Once the people found out, they were outraged. The people came together and burnt down Constantinople. He said he would talk to the people and compromise with the Byzantine people but instead he had soldiers kill them all.

All because Theodora didn't want to give up, Justinian became one of the most important emperors ever. He finished the Justinian Code which later became the basis of western law.

QUESTIONS

• What is the 'Aya Sophia'? Where is it located?
• What is the name of the code Justinian created?
• What is Justinian's middle name?
• Does Thracian still exist?
• What is another name for the Great Santa Church?

ANSWERS

• The Aya Sophia is a mosque located in Istanbul.
• Justinian code or the codex Justinianus.
• Petrus
• No, the language and culture died out about two centuries after he learned it.
• Santa Sophia

QUESTIONS

• What year did Justinian die?
• What is his wife's name?
• What did his wife use her power for?
• How many kids did she have?
• What's an interesting fact about Justinian?

ANSWERS

• He died 565 AD
• Theodora
• She used her power premote religious and social policies.
• She had one that we know of.
• Justinian created laws to help women and slaves.

WEBSITES

• http://www.roman-empire.net/children/famous.html
• http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Justinian_I.aspx
• http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/The-Life-of-Justinian-I-246084.html
• http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages/justinian_i.php
• http://www.examiner.com/article/justinian-theodora-and-the-nika-revolt