Byzantium, Justinian I, AV Solidus

Byzantine Empire, Justinian I, 527-565, AV Solidus

Obv.: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVI Helmeted and clothed bust of Justinian, holding a globe of the cross in his right hand, shield with equestrian representation on his left shoulder.  

Rev.: VICTORI A AVCCC / CONOB Angel standing, holding in right hand a cross staff and in left hand a cross globe; in field right a star. 

Historical

The emperor known as Justinian I is probably the best-known ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire and of Late Antiquity.

His reign, which lasted almost 40 years, was marked by the attempt to restore the Roman Empire (Justinian's work of restoration) and at the same time by the transition of the Roman Empire into the Byzantine Empire. He himself was the last Roman emperor whose mother tongue was Latin.

Justinian was born Flavius Petrus Sabbatius around 482 AD in Tauresium (Macedonia), the son of a peasant. His uncle Justin was making a career in the army at the time and soon brought Justinian to the capital Constantinople to give him a good education.

After Justin, as Justin I, ascended the Eastern Roman throne in 518, Justinian was built up bit by bit to be his successor. After being adopted by Justin, he was given the name suffix Iustinianus and went on to have a tremendous career. He soon acted as the emperor's most important advisor and was considered the official heir to the throne from 525 AD. Because of his rapid social rise, he was exposed to hostility from the senatorial upper class throughout his life.

After the death of his uncle on 1 August 527, Justinian, as Justinian I, became the new sole ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire. 

Christianisation 

Early in his reign, Justinian's strong attachment to the Christian faith was also evident. He claimed to have received his rule directly from God and zealously promoted Christianisation. The closing of the Neoplatonic school of philosophers in Athens in 529 is considered one of the striking events that signify the end of antiquity. Presumably, the pagan influence of the school was a thorn in Justinian's side.

In later years, his measures for the good of Christianity became even more radical: there were persecutions of non-Christians, infant baptism became compulsory and apostasy was punishable by death. In addition, there were book burnings of "pagan" literature. Only Judaism continued to be officially tolerated, although its situation deteriorated considerably.

Justinian's measures finally led to the last parts of Roman popular sovereignty being transformed into a strong divine sovereignty - a form of rule that was to dominate Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Some monarchs in Europe (e.g. Great Britain) still have the addition "by the grace of God" in their title.