Justin I

Justin I (c. 450–527) was born a peasant in Bederiana near Naissus and reached Constantinople illiterate, having fled poverty with two companions and little more than a sack of bread. He enlisted in the palace guard and rose to become its commander under Anastasius I. When Anastasius died in 518, Justin outmaneuvered his rivals and secured election as emperor.

A firm Chalcedonian, he healed the Acacian schism with Rome in 519. In his later years his nephew Justinian increasingly directed policy; in 527 Justin crowned him co-emperor, and on his death Justinian succeeded, founding the Justinianic dynasty.