Chapter 6 Growth In A Crumbling Empire: Spreading the Faith, Bringing Order to Chaos

Emperor Justinian Justinian ruled over the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565 CE. Justinian ruled over the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565 CE. Was the last strong Emperor of the Byzantines, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire. Was the last strong Emperor of the Byzantines, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire. Famous for setting up a uniform code of law throughout the empire Famous for setting up a uniform code of law throughout the empire Also famous building one of the greatest and grandest churches ever, the Hagia Sofia, in Constantinople, the capital of his Empire. Also famous building one of the greatest and grandest churches ever, the Hagia Sofia, in Constantinople, the capital of his Empire. During his rule, Justinian kept the Eastern Roman Empire strong enough to fight off barbarian invasion and the Church reached its greatest influence in the East. During his rule, Justinian kept the Eastern Roman Empire strong enough to fight off barbarian invasion and the Church reached its greatest influence in the East.

The Justinian Code Emperor Justinian’s most significant achievement was the reform of civil law. Emperor Justinian’s most significant achievement was the reform of civil law. Most of the existing laws in the Empire had been written in pre-Christian times and did not reflect Christian values. Most of the existing laws in the Empire had been written in pre-Christian times and did not reflect Christian values. Over the course of 7 years, a committee under Justinian’s supervision created a collection of laws called the Justinian Code, which were written in Latin and became the basis for all European law. Over the course of 7 years, a committee under Justinian’s supervision created a collection of laws called the Justinian Code, which were written in Latin and became the basis for all European law.

The Justinian Code The new legal system was, by and large, more Christian in context. The new legal system was, by and large, more Christian in context. For example, Justinian’s law took away much of the arbitrary power that a man had over his wife and children. For example, Justinian’s law took away much of the arbitrary power that a man had over his wife and children. A father could no longer send his children into slavery to pay his debts. A father could no longer send his children into slavery to pay his debts. Women could hold property in their own name. Women were protected from being easily divorced by their husband. Women could hold property in their own name. Women were protected from being easily divorced by their husband. However, not all of the laws were very Christian with respect to their punishments. However, not all of the laws were very Christian with respect to their punishments.

Persecution of Jews Even though Justinian was a Christian, his rule wasn’t without it’s ruthless/cruel elements. Even though Justinian was a Christian, his rule wasn’t without it’s ruthless/cruel elements. Essentially, since he was the emperor, he believed that he was responsible for the religion of his subjects. He believed in Christianity, and that everyone had to be Christian as well, so that way all his subjects went to Heaven. Essentially, since he was the emperor, he believed that he was responsible for the religion of his subjects. He believed in Christianity, and that everyone had to be Christian as well, so that way all his subjects went to Heaven. In order to do this, Justinian persecuted Jews, non- Christians (Pagans) and heretics. In order to do this, Justinian persecuted Jews, non- Christians (Pagans) and heretics.

Persecution of Jews One thing to understand is that prejudice towards Jews and persecution of them was common throughout Christianity at that time. One thing to understand is that prejudice towards Jews and persecution of them was common throughout Christianity at that time. It was demanded of the Jews under the rule of Justinian that they convert. It was demanded of the Jews under the rule of Justinian that they convert. However, rulers like Justinian depended on the Jews to provide Christians with services that Christians were forbidden to provide, such as usury – money lending with a charge for interest. However, rulers like Justinian depended on the Jews to provide Christians with services that Christians were forbidden to provide, such as usury – money lending with a charge for interest. Jews were forced into moneylending as an occupation because it was illegal for them to own land or participation in many other professions. However, at the same time, Jews were scorned for being money-lenders and were tortured and even executed for it. Jews were forced into moneylending as an occupation because it was illegal for them to own land or participation in many other professions. However, at the same time, Jews were scorned for being money-lenders and were tortured and even executed for it.