Justinian I

Justinian I (482–565) ruled the Eastern Roman Empire from 527 to 565 and tried to win back the lost West. Born a peasant at Tauresium, he was brought to Constantinople by his uncle Justin, who became emperor in 518 with his help. He married the actress Theodora, a powerful partner; he was called the emperor who never sleeps.

In 532 the Nika riots nearly toppled him; he considered fleeing by sea, but Theodora refused to leave and Belisarius crushed the revolt. The city was rebuilt, including Hagia Sophia. He sent Belisarius against the Vandals in 533; Belisarius took Ravenna in 540 and his generals restored Italy and southern Spain.

Under Tribonian, the Codex, Digest and Institutes formed the Corpus Juris Civilis, basis of much continental law. Plague struck him in 542, Theodora died in 548, and he died childless in 565, succeeded by his nephew Justin II.