Justinian (c. 483–565)

East Roman emperor 527–565, renowned for overseeing the reconquest of Africa, Italy, and parts of Spain. He ordered the codification of Roman law, which has influenced European jurisprudence; he built the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, and closed the university in Athens in 529. His achievements, however, were short-lived. His reconquests and ambitious building projects overstretched the empire's resources and within a few years of his death much of his newly conquered territory had been lost.

Justinian did not take to the field himself but employed the most able generals to command his armies: Belisarius, Narses, and Germanius. He was, however, jealous and suspicious of successful generals and deprived them, especially Belisarius, of the resources they needed to complete their missions. Only Narses, who as a eunuch could not take the throne, was given full support.