Byzantium under the Justinian dynasty

Main article: History of the Byzantine Empire

Roman Empire Imperium Romanum Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων
← 518–602 →
The enlargement of the Empire during the reign of Justinian I from 517(in red) to 565(in orange).
Capital	Constantinople
Language(s)	Latin (until 620), Greek
Government	Autocracy
Emperor
- 518-527	Justin I
- 527-565	Justinian I
- 565-578	Justin II
- 578-582	Tiberius II
- 582-602	Maurice
History
- accession of Justin I	518
- deposition of Maurice	December 602

Byzantium under the Justinian Dynasty began with the ascension of Justin I, a career soldier whose reign was marked with internal strife within the Empire, from Ostrogoths, and from the Persians. The strength of the dynasty was shown under Justinian I, in which the territorial borders of the Empire were expanded because of numerous campaigns by his favored generals, Belisarius and Narses.

Throughout the mid 6th century, plague combined with the large cost of military victory sapped strength from the Empire. The financial mess that ensued forced his successor, Justin II, to suspend payments to the Avars, which opened the way West for hordes of Lombards that overran Italy.

War with the Persians did not go well in Syria, and soon after mental illness drove Justin II to his grave. Tiberius II succeeded Justin II, and found success against the Persians in battles in Armenia and against the Berbers in North Africa.

The last member of the dynasty after Tiberius II fell ill, Maurice, proved to be of strong will against the threats surrounding the Empire, not only pushing the Persians back and establishing a secure peace, but also defending the Danube from invaders. Even through these successes, Maurice proved unpopular domestically, and was deposed by the Green faction within Constantinople, replaced by their choice, Phocas, in 602.