The New Justinian

I have been writing a history of the Middle Ages, meant for people who are interested, bright but not necessarily well-informed. It's going to have many pictures and maps, selected quotations by famous or interesting medieval people. But not footnotes. Just today it occcured tp me that there are more than a few resemblances between the Roman (Byzantine) emperor and Justinian I (527-565 CE). He is best known for his conquest of important provinces that the empire had lost in the previous century and some spectacular official and religious art. Let's have a look at some of these accomplishments. Reconquest of Italy, Sicily, North Africa (Tunisia and part of Algeria). The Art -- especially the basilica of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) Persecution of heretics and Jews -- pretty standard znd indulged in by the Persians, too. Gotta hand up by Dear Old Dad. Actually his predecessor was his UNCLE Justin. Showed contempt for rhe institutions and precedents of the Roman legal tradition. Sure, it's called the Code of Justinian, but he didn't write it. LOTS MORE COULD BE SAID.