The power of the Byzantine emperors was not legally hereditary. In fact, anyone could be on the throne. In 518, after the death of Anastasius, as a result of intrigue, the head of Justin's guard ascended the throne. He was a peasant from Macedonia, brave, but completely illiterate and had no experience in government affairs soldier. This upstart, who became the founder of a dynasty at the age of about 70, would have been greatly hampered by the power entrusted to him if he had not had an adviser in the person of his nephew Justinian.

A native of Macedonia, Justinian, at the invitation of his uncle, came to Constantinople as a young man, where he received a full Roman and Christian education. He had experience in business, had a mature mind, and an established character. And from 518 to 527. he actually ruled in the name of Justin. And after the death of Justin, which followed in 527, he became the sole ruler of Byzantium.

Justinian was a noble representative of two great ideas: the idea of ​​empire and the idea of ​​Christianity

Justinian dreamed of restoring the Roman Empire to what it once was, strengthening the inviolable rights that Byzantium, the heir of Rome, retained over the western barbarian kingdoms, and restoring the unity of the Roman world.

Justinian considered his priority task to be strengthening the military and political power of Byzantium. Under Justinian, the territory of Byzantium almost doubled, its borders began to approach the borders of the Roman Empire. It became a powerful Mediterranean state. Justinian called himself Emperor Frankish, Alemannic and other titles, emphasizing his claims to dominance in Europe.

Created under Justinian, the Code of Civil Law is the pinnacle of Byzantine legal thought. The Code reflects the changes that have occurred in the economic and social life empires, incl. improvement legal status women, the release of slaves, etc. For the first time, the theory of natural law was legally recognized, according to which all people are equal by nature, and slavery is incompatible with human nature.

Under Justinian, Byzantium became not only the largest and richest state in Europe, but also the most cultural. Justinian strengthened law and order in the country. Constantinople turns into a famous art center the medieval world, into the “palladium of sciences and arts”, followed by Ravenna, Rome, Nicaea, Thessalonica, which also became the focus of the Byzantine artistic style.

Under Justinian, wonderful churches were built that have survived to this day - the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople and the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna. He established connections with Pope John, whom he met with honor in his capital. in Constantinople in 525. Pope John is the first of the Roman high priests to visit the new Rome.

Formally, in relation to the Church, Justinian observed the principle of the symphony, which presupposed equal and friendly coexistence of the Church and the state

A man of faith and convinced that he rules by the grace of God, he attached significant importance to the spiritual and moral leadership of his subjects. He wanted that in a single empire, in which he established a single law, there would be a single faith and a single spiritual power, namely his faith and his will. He was very fond of theological reasoning, considered himself a wonderful theologian, believed that God spoke through his lips, and declared himself “a teacher of the faith and the head of the church,” ready to protect the church from its own errors and from the attacks of opponents. He always and invariably granted himself the right to dictate dogmas, discipline, rights, duties to the church, in a word, he turned it into an organ of his highest (holiest) power.

Its legislative acts are full of decrees on the church structure, regulating all its details. At the same time, Justinian strives to benefit the church with generous grants, decoration and construction of temples. To better emphasize his pious zeal, he severely persecuted heretics, in 529 ordered the closure of the Athenian University, where a few pagan teachers still secretly remained, and fiercely persecuted schismatics.

In addition, he knew how to rule the church like a master, and in exchange for the patronage and favors with which he showered it, he despotically and rudely prescribed his will to it, openly calling himself “emperor and priest.”

Heir to the Caesars, he wanted, like them, to be a living law, the most complete embodiment of absolute power and at the same time an infallible legislator and reformer, caring for order in the empire. The emperor arrogated to himself the right to freely appoint and remove bishops, to establish church laws convenient for himself. It was he who said that “the source of all the wealth of the church is the generosity of the emperor.”

Under Justinian ranks church hierarchy received many rights and benefits. The bishops were entrusted not only with the leadership of charitable affairs: they were appointed to correct abuses in the secular administration and court. Sometimes they resolved the matter themselves, sometimes they entered into an agreement with the official against whom the claim was made, sometimes they brought the matter to the attention of the emperor himself. The clergy were removed from subjection to ordinary courts; priests were judged by bishops, bishops by councils, and in important cases by the emperor himself.

A special support and advisor for Justinian in his activities was his wife, Empress Theodora.

Theodora also came from the people. The daughter of the bear keeper from the hippodrome, a fashionable actress, forced Justinian to marry her and took the throne with him.

There is no doubt that while she was alive - Theodora died in 548 - she exercised enormous influence on the emperor and ruled the empire to the same extent as he did, and perhaps even more. This happened because despite her shortcomings - she loved money, power and, in order to maintain the throne, often acted treacherously, cruelly and was adamant in her hatred - this ambitious woman had excellent qualities - energy, firmness, decisive and strong will, a cautious and clear political mind and, perhaps, saw many things more correctly than her royal husband.

While Justinian dreamed of reconquering the West and restoring the Roman Empire in alliance with the papacy, she, a native of the East, turned her gaze to the East with a more accurate understanding of the situation and the needs of the time. She wanted to put an end to the religious quarrels there that were harming the peace and power of the empire, to return the apostate peoples of Syria and Egypt through various concessions and a policy of broad religious tolerance, and, at least at the cost of a break with Rome, to recreate the strong unity of the eastern monarchy. The policy of unity and toleration that Theodora advised was, without a doubt, cautious and reasonable.

As emperor, Justinian repeatedly found himself in difficulty, not knowing what course of action he should take. For the success of his Western enterprises it was necessary for him to maintain the established harmony with the papacy; in order to restore political and moral unity in the East, it was necessary to spare the Monophysites, very numerous and influential in Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Armenia. His wavering will tried, despite all the contradictions, to find the basis for mutual understanding and to find a means to reconcile these contradictions.

Gradually, to please Rome, he allowed the Council of Constantinople in 536 to anathematize dissidents, began to persecute them (537–538), attacked their stronghold - Egypt, and to please Theodora, he gave the Monophysites the opportunity to restore their church (543) and tried to Council of 553 to obtain from the Pope an indirect condemnation of the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon.

The growth of the empire's wealth, the unlimited power of the monarch who stood above the laws, the subordinate role of the Church, the humiliating ceremonies of worship of the Christian emperor, more worthy of pagan kings, could not help but affect the morals of the society of that time.

The spiritual needs of people became scarce. Residents of Constantinople spent their days in circuses, where they excitedly divided into parties, provoking riots and bloodshed. At the hippodromes, spectators furiously screamed: “Virgin Mary, give us victory!” Sorcerers were hired to cast spells on horses; Mime artists performed, depicting the most obscene scenes and, without embarrassment, blasphemed. Brothels, taverns, rampant drunkenness, and debauchery flourished in the city. The exorbitant luxury of the imperial nobility and the highest clergy was accompanied by appalling poverty.

Paradoxically, laxity of morals coexisted in Byzantium with a widespread demonstration of piety. The population of Byzantium showed an amazing inclination towards theology. So, according to the historian Agapius, crowds of idlers in the market and in pubs talked about God and His essence. According to the witty remark of the Russian philosopher Vl. Solovyov, “in Byzantium there were more theologians than Christians.”

Thus, at the instigation of the most blessed of the Byzantine emperors, inevitable punishment hung over the Christian world, which kept the Divine commandments but did not fulfill them. As Justinian approached old age, he lost energy and enthusiasm. The death of Theodora (548) deprived him of an important support, a source of firmness and inspiration. He was already about 65 years old then, but he reigned until he was 82 years old, gradually bowing his head to the obstacles that life presented to his goals. Plunging into apathy, he watched almost indifferently as the administration became more and more upset, disasters and discontent grew more and more. Coripp says that in these last years“The old emperor did not care about anything. As if already numb, he was completely immersed in anticipation eternal life; his spirit was already in heaven.” Justinian died in November 565 without appointing a successor (Theodora left him childless)..

Alexander A. Sokolovsky

Justinian I the Great, full name who sounds like Justinian Flavius ​​Peter Sabbatius, is a Byzantine emperor (i.e., the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire), one of the largest emperors of late antiquity, during which this era began to give way to the Middle Ages, and the Roman style of government gave way to the Byzantine one. He remained in history as a major reformer.

Born around 483, he was a native of Macedonia, the son of a peasant. A decisive role in the biography of Justinian was played by his uncle, who became Emperor Justin I. The childless monarch, who loved his nephew, brought him closer to himself, contributed to his education and advancement in society. Researchers suggest that Justinian could have arrived in Rome at approximately 25 years of age, studied law and theology in the capital and began his ascent to the top of political Olympus with the rank of personal imperial bodyguard, head of the guard corps.

In 521, Justinian rose to the rank of consul and became a very popular personality, not least thanks to the organization of luxurious circus performances. The Senate repeatedly suggested that Justin make his nephew co-emperor, but the emperor took this step only in April 527, when his health deteriorated significantly. On August 1 of the same year, after the death of his uncle, Justinian became the sovereign ruler.

The newly-crowned emperor, harboring ambitious plans, immediately set about strengthening the power of the country. In domestic policy, this was manifested, in particular, in the implementation of legal reform. The 12 books of the Justinian Code and 50 of the Digest that were published remained relevant for more than a millennium. Justinian's laws contributed to centralization, expansion of the powers of the monarch, strengthening of the state apparatus and army, and strengthening of control in certain areas, in particular in trade.

The coming to power was marked by the onset of a period of large-scale construction. The Constantinople Church of St., which became a victim of fire. Sofia was rebuilt in such a way that among Christian churches for many centuries it had no equal.

Justinian I the Great pursued a fairly aggressive foreign policy aimed at conquering new territories. His military leaders (the emperor himself did not have the habit of personally participating in hostilities) managed to conquer part of North Africa, Iberian Peninsula, a significant part of the territory of the Western Roman Empire.

The reign of this emperor was marked by a number of riots, incl. the largest Nika uprising in Byzantine history: this is how the population reacted to the harshness of the measures taken. In 529, Justinian closed Plato's Academy, and in 542, the consular post was abolished. He was given more and more honors, likening him to a saint. Justinian himself near the end life path gradually lost interest in state concerns, giving preference to theology, dialogues with philosophers and clergy. He died in Constantinople in the fall of 565.

Justinian I the Great (lat. Flavius ​​Petrus Sabbatius Justinianus) ruled Byzantium from 527 to 565. Under Justinian the Great, the territory of Byzantium almost doubled. Historians believe that Justinian was one of the greatest monarchs Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages.
Justinian was born around 483. in a peasant family of a remote mountain village Macedonia, near Skupi . For a long time the prevailing opinion was that he was Slavic origin and originally wore the name of the Manager, this legend was very common among the Slavs of the Balkan Peninsula.

Justinian was distinguished by strict Orthodoxy , was a reformer and military strategist who made the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages. Coming from the dark mass of the provincial peasantry, Justinian managed to firmly and firmly assimilate two grandiose ideas: the Roman idea of ​​a universal monarchy and the Christian idea of ​​the kingdom of God. Combining both ideas and putting them into action with the help of power in a secular state that accepted these two ideas as political doctrine of the Byzantine Empire.

Under Emperor Justinian, the Byzantine Empire reached its peak, after a long period of decline, the monarch tried to restore the empire and return it to its former greatness. Justinian is believed to have been influenced by strong character his wife Theodora, whom he solemnly crowned in 527.

Historians believe that main goal Justinian's foreign policy was the revival of the Roman Empire within its former borders; the empire was to turn into a single Christian state. As a result, all the wars waged by the emperor were aimed at expanding his territories, especially to the west, into the territory of the fallen Western Roman Empire.

The main commander of Justinian, who dreamed of the revival of the Roman Empire, was Belisarius, became a commander at the age of 30.

In 533 Justinian sent Belisarius's army to northern Africa to conquering the kingdom of the Vandals. The war with the Vandals was successful for Byzantium, and already in 534 the commander of Justinian won a decisive victory. As in the African campaign, the commander Belisarius kept many mercenaries - wild barbarians - in the Byzantine army.

Even sworn enemies could help the Byzantine Empire - it was enough to pay them. So, Huns formed a significant part of the army Belisarius , which sailed from Constantinople to North Africa on 500 ships.Huns Cavalry , who served as mercenaries in the Byzantine army of Belisarius, played decisive role in the war against Vandal kingdom in northern Africa. During the general battle, the opponents fled from the wild horde of the Huns and disappeared into the Numidian desert. Then the commander Belisarius occupied Carthage.

After the annexation of North Africa, Byzantine Constantinople turned its attention to Italy, on whose territory there existed kingdom of the Ostrogoths. Emperor Justinian the Great decided to declare war German kingdoms , who waged constant wars among themselves and were weakened on the eve of the invasion of the Byzantine army.

The war with the Ostrogoths was successful, and the king of the Ostrogoths had to turn to Persia for help. Justinian protected himself in the East from attack from the rear by making peace with Persia and launched a campaign to invade Western Europe.

First thing General Belisarius occupied Sicily, where he met little resistance. Italian cities also surrendered one after another until the Byzantines approached Naples.

Belisarius (505-565), Byzantine general under Justinian I, 540 (1830). Belasarius refusing the crown of their kingdom in Italy offered to him by the Goths in 540. Belasarius was a brilliant general who defeated a range of enemies of the Byzantine Empire, virtually doubling its territory in the process. (Photo by Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

After the fall of Naples, Pope Silverius invited Belisarius to enter the holy city. The Goths left Rome , and soon Belisarius occupied Rome, the capital of the empire. The Byzantine military leader Belisarius, however, understood that the enemy was just gathering strength, so he immediately began to strengthen the walls of Rome. What followed The siege of Rome by the Goths lasted one year and nine days (537 - 538). The Byzantine army defending Rome not only withstood the attacks of the Goths, but also continued its advance deep into the Apennine Peninsula.

Belisarius' victories allowed the Byzantine Empire to establish control over the northeastern part of Italy. After the death of Belisarius, it was created exarchate (province) with its capital in Ravenna . Although Rome was subsequently lost to Byzantium, since Rome actually fell under the control of the pope, Byzantium retained possessions in Italy until the middle of the 8th century.

Under Justinian, the territory of the Byzantine Empire reached its largest size for the entire existence of the empire. Justinian managed to almost completely restore the former borders of the Roman Empire.

The Byzantine emperor Justinian captured all of Italy and almost the entire coast of North Africa, and the southeastern part of Spain. Thus, the territory of Byzantium doubles, but does not reach the former borders of the Roman Empire.

Already in 540 New Persian the Sassanid kingdom dissolved the peaceful agreement with Byzantium and actively prepared for war. Justinian found himself in a difficult position, because Byzantium could not withstand a war on two fronts.

Domestic policy Justinian the Great

In addition to an active foreign policy, Justinian also pursued a reasonable domestic policy. Under him, the Roman system of government was abolished, which was replaced by a new one - the Byzantine one. Justinian was actively engaged in strengthening the state apparatus, and also tried improve taxation . Under the emperor they were united civil and military positions, attempts have been made reduce corruption by increasing pay to officials.

Justinian was popularly nicknamed the “sleepless emperor,” as he worked day and night to reform the state.

Historians believe that Justinian's military successes were his main merit, but internal politics, especially in the second half of his reign, drained the state treasury.

Emperor Justinian the Great left behind a famous architectural monument that still exists today - Saint Sophie Cathedral . This building is considered a symbol of the “golden age” in the Byzantine Empire. This cathedral is the second largest Christian temple in the world and second only to St. Paul's Cathedral in the Vatican . With the construction of the Hagia Sophia, Emperor Justinian achieved the favor of the Pope and the entire Christian world.

During the reign of Justinian, the world's first plague pandemic broke out and spread throughout the Byzantine Empire. Largest quantity casualties were recorded in the capital of the empire, Constantinople, where 40% of the total population died. According to historians, total number Plague victims reached about 30 million people, and possibly more.

Achievements of the Byzantine Empire under Justinian

The greatest achievement of Justinian the Great is considered to be his active foreign policy, which expanded the territory of Byzantium twice, almost regaining all lost lands after the fall of Rome in 476.

Due to numerous wars, the state treasury was depleted, and this led to popular riots and uprisings. However, the revolt prompted Justinian to issue new laws for citizens throughout the empire. The emperor abolished Roman law, abolished outdated Roman laws and introduced new laws. The set of these laws was called "Code of Civil Law".

The reign of Justinian the Great was indeed called the “golden age”; he himself said: “Never before the time of our reign had God granted the Romans such victories... Thank heaven, inhabitants of the whole world: in your days a great deed has been accomplished, which God recognized as unworthy of all ancient world» Commemoration of the greatness of Christianity was built Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

A huge breakthrough occurred in military affairs. Justinian managed to create the largest professional mercenary army of that period. The Byzantine army led by Belisarius brought many victories to the Byzantine emperor and expanded the borders of the Byzantine Empire. However, the maintenance of a huge mercenary army and endless warriors depleted the state treasury of the Byzantine Empire.

The first half of the reign of Emperor Justinian is called the “golden age of Byzantium,” while the second only caused discontent on the part of the people. The outskirts of the empire covered revolt of the Moors and Goths. A in 548 During the second Italian campaign, Justinian the Great could no longer respond to Belisarius' requests to send money for the army and to pay the mercenaries.

The last time the commander Belisarius led the troops in 559, when the Kotrigur tribe invaded Thrace. The commander won the battle and could have completely destroyed the attackers, but Justinian at the last moment decided to pay off his restless neighbors. However, the most surprising thing was that the creator of the Byzantine victory was not even invited to the festive celebrations. After this episode, the commander Belisarius finally fell out of favor and ceased to play a significant role at court.

In 562, several noble residents of Constantinople accused the famous commander Belisarius of preparing a conspiracy against Emperor Justinian. For several months Belisarius was deprived of his property and position. Soon Justinian was convinced of the innocence of the accused and made peace with him. Belisarius died in peace and solitude in 565 AD That same year, Emperor Justinian the Great breathed his last.

The last conflict between the emperor and the commander served as the source legends about the poor, weak and blind military leader Belisarius, begging for alms at the walls of the temple. This is how he is portrayed - falling out of favor on your famous painting French artist Jacques Louis David.

A world state created by the will of an autocratic sovereign - such was the dream that Emperor Justinian cherished from the very beginning of his reign. By force of arms he returned the lost old Roman territories, then gave them a general civil law that ensured the well-being of the inhabitants, and finally - he asserted a single Christian faith, called to unite all peoples in worship of the one true Christian God. These are the three unshakable foundations on which Justinian built the power of his empire. Justinian the Great believed that “there is nothing higher and holier Imperial Majesty"; “The creators of the law themselves said that the will of the monarch has the force of law«; « he alone is able to spend days and nights in work and wakefulness, so that think about the good of the people«.

Justinian the Great argued that the grace of the emperor's power, as the “anointed one of God,” standing above the state and above the church, was received directly from God. The emperor is “equal to the apostles” (Greek ίσαπόστολος), God helps him defeat his enemies and make fair laws. Justinian's wars took on the character of crusades - wherever the Byzantine emperor will be master, the Orthodox faith will shine forth. His piety turned into religious intolerance and was embodied in cruel persecution for deviating from his recognized faith. Every legislative act of Justinian puts "under the patronage of the Holy Trinity."

Reign of Emperor Justinian

The Byzantine Empire reached its greatest prosperity in the middle of the 6th century. during the reign of Emperor Justinian (527-565). At this time, the internal stabilization of the Byzantine state took place and extensive external conquests were carried out.

Justinian was born in Macedonia into the family of a poor Illyrian peasant. His uncle Emperor Justin (518-527), enthroned by soldiers, made Justinian his co-ruler. After the death of his uncle, Justinian became the ruler of a huge empire. Justinian received a very controversial assessment from his contemporaries and descendants. Justinian's historiographer Procopius of Caesarea, in his official works and in the Secret History, created a dual image of the emperor: a cruel tyrant and a powerful ambitious man coexisted with a wise politician and a tireless reformer. Possessing a remarkable mind, willpower and having received an excellent education, Justinian was engaged in government affairs with extraordinary energy.

He was accessible to people of various ranks and charming in his manner. But this apparent and external accessibility was only a mask that hid a merciless, two-faced and insidious nature. According to Procopius, he could “order in a quiet and even voice to kill tens of thousands of innocent people.” Justinian was fanatically obsessed with the idea of ​​the greatness of his imperial person, who, he believed, had the mission of reviving the former power of the Roman Empire. His wife Theodora, one of the most striking and original figures on the Byzantine throne, had a strong influence on him. A dancer and courtesan, Theodora, thanks to her rare beauty, intelligence and strong will, conquered Justinian and became his legal wife and empress. She had a remarkable statesmanship, delved into the affairs of government, received foreign ambassadors, conducted diplomatic correspondence, difficult moments showed rare courage and indomitable energy. Theodora madly loved power and demanded slavish worship.

Justinian's domestic policy was aimed at strengthening the centralization of the state and strengthening the economy of the empire, intensifying trade and searching for new trade routes. Great success The Byzantines were to reveal the secret of silk production, the secrets of which had been protected for centuries in China. According to legend, two Nestorian monks in their hollow staves took silkworm grenades from China to Byzantium; in the empire (in Syria and Phenicia) arose in the 6th century. own production of silk fabrics. Constantinople at this time became the center of world trade. In the rich cities of the empire, there was a rise in handicraft production, and construction equipment was improved. This made it possible for Justinian to erect palaces and temples in cities and fortifications in the border areas.

The progress of construction technology was an important stimulus for the flourishing of architecture. In the VI century. Metal processing has also improved noticeably. Justinian's extensive military enterprises stimulated the production of weapons and the flowering of military art.

In his agrarian policy, Justinian patronized the growth of large church landownership and at the same time supported the middle strata of landowners. He pursued, although not consistently, a policy of limiting the power of large landowners and, first of all, the old senatorial aristocracy.

During the reign of Justinian, a reform of Roman law was carried out. Radical changes in socio-economic relations required the revision of old legal norms that hindered the further progress of Byzantine society. In a short period of time (from 528 to 534), a commission of outstanding jurists headed by Tribonian carried out a huge amount of work to revise the entire rich heritage of Roman jurisprudence and created the “Corpus juris civilis”. It initially consisted of three parts: Justinian’s “Code” - a collection of the most important laws of the Roman emperors (from Hadrian to Justinian) according to various civil cases(in 12 volumes); "Digests", or "Pandects", - a collection of authoritative opinions of famous Roman jurists (in 50 books); "Institutions" is a short, elementary guide to Roman civil law. The laws issued by Justinian himself from 534 to 565 subsequently made up the fourth part of the Code and were called “Novels” (i.e., “New Laws”).

In legislation, as in all public life Byzantium of this time was determined by the struggle of the old slave world with the emerging new one - the feudal one. When preserved in Byzantium in the 6th century. the foundations of the slave system, the foundation of the Corpus juris civilis could only be the old Roman law. Hence the conservatism of Justinian's legislation. But at the same time, it (especially the Novellas) also reflected fundamental, including progressive, changes in social life. Central among the socio-political ideas of Justinian’s legislation is the idea of ​​​​the unlimited power of the sovereign-autocrat - “the representative of God on earth” - and the idea of ​​​​a union of the state with the Christian church, the protection of its privileges, the renunciation of religious tolerance and the persecution of heretics and pagans.

Justinian's legislation (especially in the Code and Novellas) encouraged the provision of peculium to slaves, made it easier to free slaves, and received a clear legal registration Colonate Institute.

Conservation in Byzantium in the IV-VI centuries. a number of large urban centers, developed crafts and trade required strict regulation and protection of private property rights. And here Roman law, this “most perfect form of law that we know, which has private property as its basis,” was the source from which jurists of the 6th century. could draw the necessary legislative norms. Therefore, in Justinian’s legislation, a prominent place is given to the regulation of trade, usury and lending transactions, rent, etc.

However, the sphere of private law relations was also introduced important changes: all old, outdated forms of ownership were abolished and the legal concept of a single complete private property was introduced - the basis of all civil law.

Justinian's laws consolidated the trends that began in the Roman era of the empire towards the virtual elimination of legal differences between Roman citizens and conquered peoples. All free citizens of the empire were now subject to a single legal system. A single state, a single law and a single system of marriage for all free inhabitants of the empire - this is the main idea of ​​​​family law in the legislation of Justinian.

The justification and protection of private property rights determined the vitality of the main provisions of Justinian’s Code of Civil Law, which retained their significance throughout the Middle Ages and were subsequently used in bourgeois society. Justinian's extensive construction activities, his policy of conquest, the maintenance of the state apparatus, and the luxury of the imperial court required enormous expenses, and Justinian's government was forced to sharply increase the taxation of its subjects.

Population dissatisfaction with tax oppression and persecution of heretics led to uprisings of the masses. In 532, one of the most formidable popular movements in Byzantium broke out, known in history as the Nika uprising. It was associated with the intensified struggle of the so-called circus parties of Constantinople.

The favorite spectacle of the inhabitants of Byzantium was horse riding and various sport games at the circus (hippodrome). At the same time, the circus in Constantinople, as in Rome, was the center of socio-political struggle, a place of crowded meetings where people could see the emperors and present their demands to them. Circus parties, which were not only sports, but also political organizations, were named after the color of the clothes of the drivers who participated in equestrian competitions: Veneti (“blue”), prasin (“green”), levki (“white”) and rusii (“blue”). red"). Highest value had parties of Veneti and Prasin.

The social composition of the circus parties was very varied. The Veneti party was led by the senatorial aristocracy and large landowners; the Prasin party reflected primarily the interests of merchants and owners of large craft ergasteriums who traded with the eastern provinces of the empire. The circus parties were associated with the dims of the cities of Byzantium; they also included ordinary members of the dims who belonged to the middle and lower strata of the free population of the cities. The Prasin and Veneti also differed in their religious beliefs; The Veneti were supporters of the orthodox church doctrine- Orthodox, and the Prasins defended monophysitism. Justinian patronized the Veneti party and persecuted the Prasinians in every possible way, which aroused their hatred of the government.

The uprising began on January 11, 532 with a speech in the Constantinople hippodrome of the opposition party of the Prasinians. But soon some of the Veneti also joined the “greens”; The lower classes of both parties united and demanded tax cuts and the resignation of the most hated officials. The rebels began to destroy and set fire to the houses of the nobility and government buildings.

Soon their indignation turned against Justinian himself. The cry of “Win!” was heard everywhere. (in Greek “Nika!” The emperor and his entourage were besieged in the palace. Justinian decided to flee the capital, but Empress Theodora demanded an immediate attack on the rebels. At this time, disagreements began among the participants in the movement, part of the aristocracy from the “blue” party, being frightened speeches of the masses, recoiled from the uprising.Government troops, led by Justinian's generals - Belisarius and Mundus, suddenly attacked the people gathered in the circus and committed a terrible massacre, during which about 30 thousand people died.

The defeat of the Nika uprising marks a sharp turn in Justinian's policy towards reaction. However, popular movements in the empire did not stop.

Highest flourishing in early period Byzantium reached its history under the emperor Justinians I (527-565), who was born into the family of a poor Macedonian peasant. In the life of Justinian, his maternal uncle Justin, a poorly educated peasant, played a major role. past the path from simple soldier to the emperor. Thanks to his uncle, Justinian came to Constantinople as a teenager, received a good education, and at the age of 45 became emperor.

Justinian was short, white-faced, and had a good-looking appearance. His character combined the most contradictory traits: directness and kindness bordered on treachery and deceit, generosity - with greed, determination - with fear. Justinian, for example, was indifferent to luxury, but spent considerable money on the reconstruction and decoration of Constantinople. The rich architecture of the capital and the splendor of the imperial receptions amazed the barbarian rulers and ambassadors. But when in the middle of the 6th century. An earthquake occurred, Justinian abolished festive dinners at court, and donated the saved money to help the victims.

From the beginning of his reign, Justinian cherished the dream of reviving the Roman Empire. He devoted all his activities to this. For his amazing performance, Justinian was nicknamed “the emperor who never sleeps.” His wife was his faithful assistant Theodora . She was born into a simple family and in her youth was a circus actress. The girl's beauty struck Justinian, and he, despite many ill-wishers, married her. This woman of unyielding will actually became her husband’s co-ruler: she received foreign ambassadors and conducted diplomatic correspondence.

Justinian tried to increase the wealth of the country, and therefore actively promoted the development of crafts and trade. During his reign, the Byzantines established their own silk production, the sale of which brought considerable profits. The emperor also sought to strengthen the system of government. Any person, even of humble origin, but a real specialist, could receive a high government position.

In 528, Justinian formed a legal commission to process and organize all Roman law. Lawyers systematized the laws of the Roman emperors of the 2nd - early 6th centuries. (from Hadrian to Justinian). This collection was called the Justinian Code. It became the basis of a multi-volume collection, which in the 12th century. V Western Europe was known as the Code of Civil Morals.

VI century From the work of Procopius of Caesarea “War with the Persians”

Emperor Justinian and his entourage consulted on what to do best: stay here, or escape on ships. A lot spoke in the interests of both the first and second ideas. And so Empress Theodora said: “Now, I think, is not the time to discuss whether it is worthy for a woman to show fortitude in front of men and speak out to the confused with youthful fervour. It seems to me that running away is an undignified act. The one who was born cannot help but be moderate,” but for the one who once ruled, it is shameful to be a fugitive. I don’t want to lose this scarlet robe and live to see the day when my subjects don’t call me their mistress! If you want to escape, Emperor, it is not difficult. We have a lot of money, and the sea is nearby, and there are ships. However, be careful that you, the saved one, do not then have to choose death over such salvation. I like the old saying that royal power- a beautiful shroud." So said Empress Theodora. Her words inspired those gathered and... they again began to talk about how they needed to defend themselves...Material from the site

The beginning of 532 was critical for Justinian’s power, when a major uprising “Nika!” broke out in Constantinople. (Greek"Win!"). This was precisely the cry of the rebels. They burned the tax rolls, captured the prison and released the prisoners. Justinian was desperately preparing to escape from the capital. Theodora was able to convince her husband to take the necessary measures, and the uprising was suppressed.

Having lost the formidable internal danger, Justinian began to realize his cherished dream restoration of the empire in the West. He managed to recapture the former Roman possessions from the Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Visigoths, and the territory of Byzantium almost doubled.

Unbearable taxes to wage wars led the Byzantines to complete impoverishment, so after the death of Justinian the people breathed a sigh of relief. The population also suffered from the terrible plague epidemic of 541-542, popularly nicknamed “Justinian.” It carried away almost half the population of Byzantium. The power of the state achieved under Justinian was fragile, and the restoration of the borders of the Roman Empire turned out to be artificial.

Bagryanytsya - long outerwear made of expensive scarlet fabric, worn by monarchs.

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On this page there is material on the following topics:

• table of Justinian's reign
• report on the topic Justinian 1
• essay on the topic of the era of Justinian I in the history of Byzantium
• Justinian 1 short biography
• report on the topic of Justinian summary