Daniel Richardson
11/2/16
Justinian code
One famous Byzantine Emperor was Justinian the first . Justinian ruled from AD 527 to 565. Justinian created a set of laws called the Justinian Code. This code said that the emperor made all of the laws and interpreted the laws as well. The Justinian Code was law throughout the empire. Justinian was thought of as a cruel thoughtless leader with no regard to his people, how over he did do some good with the arts but what did he do, what did he do that made his reputation so bad. Also how would our secular worldview view him and more importantly how about the Christians world view on Justinian as a leader.
Justinian's contributions to the arts, architecture etc. can be viewed with the Hagia Sophia, sponsoring many mosaics and patronizing writers and historians. He began ruthlessly consolidating the faith of the Byzantine Empire, making sure the Nicean Creed was the top dog and banning paganism and most other forms of Christianity and suppressing them vigorously.
His military actions are a different matter. I think he stretched the Empire too long, and because of that he paid for it.He was described in a great magnitude of adjectives in his official historian Procopius' "The Secret History," being called a demon among his people . He started the unnecessary reconquest of Italy for the sake of his own glory, and he was too cheap to send enough troops to do it quickly, and turned it into a blood bath that ultimately left Italy a smoking ruin. Even his wife was a former prostitute. He was very untrustworthy, often betrayed friends, or causing their deaths.
According to Christianity, he was the worst ruler to live, he didn't abide in our moral codes and did unthinkable things to people that were his friends. The Bible says to never betray your friends, and to treat others well, which he never did. Compared to a secular worldview, I still don't think the Justinian would be accepted in today’s world view. Because a leader today that kills his own people and taxes them heavily is called a tyrant.
In conclusion, Justinian did build some major art structures but nothing could mask the things he did to Rome. He would slaughter his own people and tax them heavily in hope of his dream “ for the earth to run red with blood” and just destroyed everything in his path.
11/2/16
Justinian code
One famous Byzantine Emperor was Justinian the first . Justinian ruled from AD 527 to 565. Justinian created a set of laws called the Justinian Code. This code said that the emperor made all of the laws and interpreted the laws as well. The Justinian Code was law throughout the empire. Justinian was thought of as a cruel thoughtless leader with no regard to his people, how over he did do some good with the arts but what did he do, what did he do that made his reputation so bad. Also how would our secular worldview view him and more importantly how about the Christians world view on Justinian as a leader.
Justinian's contributions to the arts, architecture etc. can be viewed with the Hagia Sophia, sponsoring many mosaics and patronizing writers and historians. He began ruthlessly consolidating the faith of the Byzantine Empire, making sure the Nicean Creed was the top dog and banning paganism and most other forms of Christianity and suppressing them vigorously.
His military actions are a different matter. I think he stretched the Empire too long, and because of that he paid for it.He was described in a great magnitude of adjectives in his official historian Procopius' "The Secret History," being called a demon among his people . He started the unnecessary reconquest of Italy for the sake of his own glory, and he was too cheap to send enough troops to do it quickly, and turned it into a blood bath that ultimately left Italy a smoking ruin. Even his wife was a former prostitute. He was very untrustworthy, often betrayed friends, or causing their deaths.
According to Christianity, he was the worst ruler to live, he didn't abide in our moral codes and did unthinkable things to people that were his friends. The Bible says to never betray your friends, and to treat others well, which he never did. Compared to a secular worldview, I still don't think the Justinian would be accepted in today’s world view. Because a leader today that kills his own people and taxes them heavily is called a tyrant.
In conclusion, Justinian did build some major art structures but nothing could mask the things he did to Rome. He would slaughter his own people and tax them heavily in hope of his dream “ for the earth to run red with blood” and just destroyed everything in his path.