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Under one of Byzantium’s earliest Emperors, Justinian 527-565, attempts were made to

drive the barbarians out from the remains of the Western Roman Empire. Justinian had
some successes, as he re-conquered the Italian peninsula, the south coast of Spain and
parts of North Africa.
In Italy, Justinian established his new capital city as a declaration of his ambitions, to rebuild
the old Roman Empire. It was here that Justinian founded a new system of law codes, or
Corpus iuris civilis, which are still a basis of many systems of justice in the world today.
Justinian legitimized his works of Empire building by patronizing the Christian Church.
In Ravenna he built chapels like Saint Vitale, and ordered craftsmen to make great mosaics to depict the qualities
of Justinian’s Empire, religion, law and conquest. In Byzance itself he had the great Hagia Sophia Cathedral built. The Italian peninsula was devastated by
Justinian’s own invasion, so severely that it was
Justinian who prevented a reconstruction of the
Roman Empire, not the barbarian invaders.
Justinians successes were short-lived, by 700
Arabs, Lombards and Slavs had reduced
Byzantium to its original size.
Following Justinian’s death, the Eastern Byzantine Empire
was unable to defend its western conquests from fresh
barbarian invasions.
The price of conquest in Italy, Spain and North Africa was
crippling for Byzantine finances, and some historians say
that this cost was never recovered.
Justinian’s actions gained the Byzantine Empire respect
from its foes, and a firm basis for the future, one thousand
years until 1453.

Summarize Justinian’s achievements.

5 answers

Justinian I, who reigned from 527 to 565, is noted for several significant achievements during his time as emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Key accomplishments include:

  1. Military Conquests: Justinian successfully re-conquered parts of the former Western Roman Empire, including the Italian peninsula, the south coast of Spain, and portions of North Africa.

  2. Law Code: He established a comprehensive set of legal codes known as the Corpus iuris civilis, which has influenced legal systems around the world.

  3. Church Patronage: Justinian strengthened the relationship between the Byzantine Empire and the Christian Church by commissioning grand structures such as the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople and the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, adorned with intricate mosaics that showcased his empire's values.

  4. Cultural Impact: His patronage of the arts and architecture signified a cultural revival and served to legitimize his rule and the Byzantine Empire’s heritage.

  5. Legacy: Although his military and financial efforts ultimately strained the empire and led to its territorial shrinkage by the 700s, Justinian's reign laid a foundational respect for the Byzantine Empire that would endure for centuries, lasting until 1453.

Despite his short-lived successes, Justinian’s reign marked a critical period of transformation and ambition for the Byzantine Empire.

The information in the text has to be exact

Sure, here’s a more precise summary of Justinian's achievements based on the text provided:

  1. Military Conquests: Justinian re-conquered significant regions of the former Western Roman Empire, including the Italian peninsula, the south coast of Spain, and parts of North Africa.

  2. Legal Reform: He founded a new system of law codes known as the Corpus iuris civilis, which remains a basis for many justice systems today.

  3. Patronage of the Church: Justinian legitimized his empire-building efforts by patronizing the Christian Church, notably constructing the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Byzantium and chapels like Saint Vitale in Ravenna, where craftsmen created mosaics illustrating the virtues of his empire.

  4. Impact and Consequences: The Italian peninsula was heavily devastated due to Justinian’s invasions. The financial burdens of these conquests severely impacted Byzantine finances; some historians argue that this cost was never fully recovered.

  5. Legacy: Despite his initial successes, Justinian's achievements were short-lived as by 700, the Byzantine Empire had been reduced in size due to invasions by Arabs, Lombards, and Slavs. Nevertheless, his actions gained respect for the Byzantine Empire, establishing a firm basis for its existence for another thousand years, until 1453.

This summary maintains the accuracy and specific details from the original text.

Your answer you got from the text has to be exact

Certainly! Here’s a summary of Justinian’s achievements, strictly adhering to the original text without adding or altering any points:

  1. Military Successes: Justinian re-conquered the Italian peninsula, the south coast of Spain, and parts of North Africa.

  2. Law Codes: He founded a new system of law codes, the Corpus iuris civilis, which are still a basis of many systems of justice in the world today.

  3. Church Patronage: Justinian legitimatized his empire-building by patronizing the Christian Church. He built chapels like Saint Vitale in Ravenna and ordered craftsmen to make great mosaics depicting the qualities of his empire: religion, law, and conquest. He also had the great Hagia Sophia Cathedral built in Byzantium.

  4. Consequences of Invasion: The Italian peninsula was devastated by Justinian’s own invasion, leading to claims that it was Justinian who prevented a reconstruction of the Roman Empire, not the barbarian invaders.

  5. Short-lived Success: Justinian's successes were short-lived, as by 700, Arabs, Lombards, and Slavs had reduced Byzantium to its original size.

  6. Financial Burden: The price of conquest in Italy, Spain, and North Africa was crippling for Byzantine finances, and some historians say this cost was never recovered.

  7. Legacy: Justinian’s actions gained the Byzantine Empire respect from its foes and established a firm basis for the future, lasting one thousand years until 1453.

This summary reflects the specifics from the original text provided.