A rags-to-riches emperor who came to Constantinople with nothing and rose through the army to command the palace guard under Anastasius I. He secured his election as emperor through a combination of military positioning and liberal bribing of soldiers. Nearly 70 at accession, he lacked practical governing knowledge but was wise enough to surround himself with talented advisors — most crucially his nephew Justinian, whom he educated and ultimately adopted.
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Episode 7 (13 mentions)
A rags-to-riches emperor who came to Constantinople with nothing and rose through the army to command the palace guard under Anastasius I. He secured his election as emperor through a combination of military positioning and liberal bribing of soldiers. Nearly 70 at accession, he lacked practical governing knowledge but was wise enough to surround himself with talented advisors — most crucially his nephew Justinian, whom he educated and ultimately adopted.
“When Justin died of an old war wound on August 1, 527, Justinian was crowned in an extravagant”
“Where Justin had been frugal and conservative, Justinian was lavish and a bold visionary.”
“the empire's most brilliant and tragic general, Belisarius, who fulfilled Justin's dream”
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