JUSTINIAN'S EMPIRE

An author and podcaster revisits the era of Emperor Justinian in the fourth book of a multivolume history of the fall of the Roman Empire.

“Justinian’s reign,” writes author Holmes regarding the sixth-century Roman leader, “sits uncomfortably in the annals of history.” Scholars since Edward Gibbon have presented a linear story of Rome’s deterioration—this book argues that Justinian’s tenure “contradicts” this narrative, as his reign represented “a Roman Empire that is not declining or falling.” Indeed, as the book details in its absorbing prose, Justinian oversaw the reconquest of lost Roman territories throughout North Africa and Italy. His empire was also characterized by its lasting cultural imprint, Holmes asserts, as it played a central role in creating some of the greatest architectural wonders in world history, including the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern, and the drafting of the Corpus Juris Civilis legal code, which Holmes argues “was vital to developing modern law across the world.” Nuanced in its analysis, the book also notes how “underneath the glorious veneer” of these advances, Justinian’s failure to maintain his army and adequately defend his newly expanded borders paved the way for Rome’s downfall over the next century and a half. Although this history doesn’t discount the emperor’s devotion to Christianity, the book is also skeptical of previous scholars, including Gibbon, who focused their critiques on Justinian’s religious zeal. Holmes is the host of the podcast The Fall of the Roman Empire and the author of multiple books on the topic, and in this volume, he blends solid research, backed by more than 200 endnotes, with a keen eye toward engaging storytelling. This is aided by the fact that Justinian’s era—including the rags-to-riches story of the emperor himself—is rife with drama, and stocked with heroes, villains, and crooks. The book’s emphasis on bridging the divide between scholarly and more accessible histories is enhanced by an abundance of maps, photographs, paintings, and historic ephemera. Appendices include timelines and a bibliographic essay for further reading.

A riveting account of Justinian’s reign that challenges traditional consensus.