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Home / Historical Periods / Byzantine Empire / Reign of Justinian I

Phase

Reign of Justinian I

527–565 CE

Justinian's government codified Roman law, built major churches and attempted to restore imperial control over former western provinces. These ambitions required heavy taxation and sustained military campaigning.

The reign included war with the Sasanian Empire, the conquest of the Vandal kingdom and the prolonged Gothic War in Italy. Court politics centred on Justinian, Theodora and powerful military and administrative officials.

Count Belisarius views the period through the household of its leading general, contrasting Belisarius's loyalty with the suspicion and rivalry of the imperial court.

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Series

Series about Reign of Justinian I (3 series)

Sarantine Mosaic in Order

by Guy Gavriel Kay 2 books 4.3

The Sarantine Mosaic is a two-volume historical fantasy inspired by Constantinople during the reign of Justinian I and Theodora. Through the mosaicist Caius Crispus, the series enters an imperial capital of monumental building, chariot factions, theological division, espionage and court ceremony, where artistic patronage is inseparable from political…

The Last of the Romans in Order

by William Havelock 7 books 4.5

The Last of the Romans follows the campaigns of Belisarius during the sixth-century attempt by Emperor Justinian I to restore Roman rule across the Mediterranean. Told through Varus, a fictional Herulian soldier who rises through the imperial army, the series moves from the Persian frontier and the Nika…

Books

19 Best Novels About the Reign of Justinian I

Bestselling authors first, then star rating.

Non Fiction

3 Non-Fiction Books About the Reign of Justinian I

Histories, biographies and reference works are listed separately from the historical novels above.