Justin I
Justin I (Latin: Iustinus; Greek: Ἰουστῖνος, translit. Ioustînos; c. 450 – 1 August 527), also called Justin the Thracian (Latin: Justinus Thrax; Greek: Ἰουστῖνος ὁ Θρᾷξ, translit. Ioustînos ho Thrâix), was Eastern Roman emperor from 518 to 527. Born to a peasant family, he rose through the ranks of the army to become commander of the imperial guard and when Emperor Anastasius died, he out-maneouvered his rivals and was elected as his successor, in spite of being around 68 years old. His reign is significant for the founding of the Justinian dynasty that included his eminent nephew, Justinian I, and three succeeding emperors. His consort was Empress Euphemia.
| Justin I | |||||||||
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| Byzantine emperor | |||||||||
| Reign | 9 July 518 – 1 August 527 | ||||||||
| Coronation | 10 July 518 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Anastasius I | ||||||||
| Successor | Justinian I | ||||||||
| Co-emperor | Justinian I (from 1 April 527) | ||||||||
| Born | c. 450 Baderiana, near Scupi, Eastern Roman Empire | ||||||||
| Died | 1 August 527 (aged 77) Constantinople, Eastern Roman Empire | ||||||||
| Spouse | Euphemia | ||||||||
| Issue | Justinian I (adoptive) | ||||||||
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| Dynasty | Justinian | ||||||||
| Religion | Chalcedonian Christianity | ||||||||
| Justinian dynasty | ||
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He was noted for his strongly orthodox Christian views. This facilitated the ending of the Acacian schism between the churches of Rome and Constantinople, resulting in good relations between Justin and the papacy. Throughout his reign, he stressed the religious nature of his office and passed edicts against various Christian groups seen at the time as non-Orthodox. In foreign affairs, he used religion as an instrument of state. He endeavoured to cultivate client states on the borders of the Empire, and avoided any significant warfare until late in his reign.