Justinian and Theodora Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Justinian and Theodora - Research Paper Example ies), Monophysitism (Christ has a single essence—a combined human and divine one), and Arianism (the conviction that Christ was not of one essence with the Lord) also gained imperial approval for a certain period of time.vi The religious guidelines of Justinian manifested the imperial belief that the unity and strength of the empire was absolutely tantamount to unity of faith. People of a deviant faith had to understand that the measures which imperial policymaking had initiated since Constantius II would actively carry on. Current sources reveal harsh persecutions, even those of high political standing.vii Possibly the most striking occurrence took place in 529 when Plato’s teaching Academy was subjected to the authority of the state by the directive of Justinian, successfully choking this education institution for Hellenism. At the initial phase of his rule, Justinian, a follower of Chalcedonian Christianity, thought it appropriate to disseminate by edict his belief i n the Incarnation and the Trinity; and to terrorize all dissenters with the punishments; while he afterward proclaimed that he aimed to deny all opponents of orthodoxy of the chance to such violation by legal due process.viii Earlier scholars had viewed Justinian a despotic, but our point of view has transformed. Justinian and Theodora are now understood within their own perspective. Late Antiquity was not a time of unavoidable collapse, and what was most astonishing about the Roman empire of Eastern Europe and its succeeding state was their capacity to endure a chain of seemingly insurmountable problems while a series of migrations from the developing countries of Asia drove against the imperial borders. Within the imperial borders as well, the period of Justinian witnessed earthquakes, pestilence... This research aims to present Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora of the Byzantine Empire. Flavius Anicius Justinianus or more widely known as Justinian I was born of a Slavonic peasant parents at Tauresium in Illyria, perhaps on the 11th of May, 483. Justinian received his formal education at Constantinople. He was excellently educated Roman history, theology, and jurisprudence. His career in the military showed quick progress, and a grand prospect presented itself to him when he became emperor in 518. Generally regarded as one of the major emperors of Late Antiquity, Justinian is widely known for his amendment of the law through the Tribonian commission, and the military growth of imperial empire that was accomplished throughout his rule, mainly through Belisarius’s—Byzantine Empire’s general-- actions. Aside from law, religion supported Justinian’s attempt to consolidate the administrative center of the imperial domain. Theodora, aside from being the wife of emperor Justinian, is regarded as one of the icons of the history of the Byzantine civilization. Certainly, the stories narrated by Procopius of Theodora’s deeds within and outside the hippodrome before her marriage belittle tales of more contemporary royal disgraces. Yet, more astonishing than the fact the contemporary likings for lustful rumors strongly resemble those of the previous eras is the understanding that the stories of Procopius was not wholly unfounded.