Justinian I

Justinian I (483–565), Byzantine emperor (527–65), nephew of Justin I. His attempts to impose heavy taxation and religious orthodoxy on the diverse peoples and sects of the empire, especially the Monophysites (a Christian minority), led to the Nika riots (532), which were quelled by Empress Theodora, aided by Justinian's generals Belisarius and Narses. Among Justinian's accomplishments are the codification of Roman law (Digests) and such great churches as Hagia Sophia and San Vitale.

See also: Byzantine Empire.