Justinian: From Peasant to Emperor - Byzantine Empire - PDF

## The Byzantine Empire ### Justinian, The Just Emperor Powerful rulers made Constantinople great. And one of the most powerful rulers of all Byzantium was Justinian, the Just Emperor. Justinian's parents weren't important people - they were just peasants, who lived hundreds of miles away from th...

## The Byzantine Empire ### Justinian, The Just Emperor Powerful rulers made Constantinople great. And one of the most powerful rulers of all Byzantium was Justinian, the Just Emperor. Justinian's parents weren't important people - they were just peasants, who lived hundreds of miles away from the great city of Constantinople. They grew crops and tended animals for a living. But Justinian didn't want to be a farmer. He wanted to be a great, educated man. He learned how to read, and he spent every spare minute studying law, music, poetry, and religious books. He begged his family to send him to Constantinople so that he could go to school. Finally, Justinian's parents agreed. They packed his clothes and books. His mother cooked him bread and meat to eat on the journey. And Justinian began the long, long journey to the city of Constantinople. When he arrived in the city, he was overwhelmed. The buildings were the biggest he had ever seen. People swarmed everywhere. And his studies were difficult. He had to memorize fifty lines of Greek poetry every day. He had to learn how to make convincing speeches in public. The teachers at the school gave him hours of homework every day in math, music, and astronomy (the study of the stars). When he finished school, young Justinian joined the army. He was brave and full of energy, and he spent hours helping the officers keep records, order supplies, and plan their campaigns. Soon, more and more people agreed: Justinian would make a good emperor. When the emperor died, Justinian was named ruler of the Byzantine empire. ### The Empress Theodora Justinian was a powerful emperor, but he didn't rule the Byzantine Empire all alone. His wife, the Empress Theodora, was a brilliant, energetic woman who helped him make his decisions. ### Justinian, Early Life * Occupation: Emperor of Byzantium * Born: 482 in Macedonia * Died: 565 in Constantinople * Reign: 527-565 * Best known for: The Golden Age of Byzantium and the Justinian Code of Law #### Early life Justinian was born in AD 482 in the town of Tauresium in Macedonia. He was not like most emperors. His mother was a peasant named Vigilantia. Young Justinian was not of royalty and his uncle Justin adopted him at a young age. His uncle was an influential person within the Imperial Guard. After adopting young Justinian, his uncle Justin moved him to the capital city of Constantinople. While growing up, young Justinian was schooled in military tactics, reading, writing, and he studied law and history. Uncle Justin was a close advisor within the Imperial Guard to Emperor Anastasius. When the emperor died in AD 518, Uncle Justin immediately seized power and became emperor. While Uncle Justin was the emperor, young Justinian became an influential person to Emperor Justin. During the later years of Emperor Justin's rule, he made young Justinian an associate emperor. When Emperor Justin passed away in AD 527, Justinian assumed the role of emperor of the Byzantine and Eastern Roman Empires. ## 6th Ancient History ### Periods 1 & 7 ### Wednesday, 15 January 2025 #### Chapter 4: The Byzantine Empire * Justinian: From Peasant Boy to Emperor, pages 33-35 * Theodora: From Circus Clown to Empress, pages 35-38 #### Assignment: Write a five-paragraph essay on either Justinian OR Theodora Each paragraph must have at least FIVE SENTENCES. DO NOT write in left or right margins! A point off for each mistake, including grammar and spelling. TITLE underlined on top line, skip next line. INDENT all paragraphs. DO NOT write on last line. YOUR BEST handwriting is required in PENCIL on notebook paper. ROUGH DRAFT first for QUIZ grade, then FINAL draft for TEST GRADE! #### Here is how to ORGANIZE your amazing essay. * **PARAGRAPH #1 (Introduction)**, Give background info, early life info * **PARAGRAPH #2**, Write about Topic #1 * **PARAGRAPH #3**, Write about Topic #2 * **PARAGRAPH #4**, Write about Topic #3 * **PARAGRAPH #5 (Conclusion)**, What is most interesting or important about his/her life and TELL WHY! DO NOT use "I" or "me." ## Justinian: From Peasant to Emperor In AD 482 A.F., a baby boy was born. His name was Justinian. He was born to a poor family in the town of Tauresium, Macedonia. Young Justinian wanted to become educated man and that led him to his uncle. Soon Justinian told his parents that he wanted to become a great, educated man. Eventually his parents agreed, so his uncle adopted him so he could come and be educated in Constantinople. His uncle was an influential man within the Imperial Guard and a close advisor to the Emperor Anastasius. Justinian had a long journey to Constantinople, but he soon started school.