Justinian the Great and the Byzantine Empire

Emperor Justinian I, who succeeded his uncle in 527, aimed to restore the Roman Empire's former glory. Despite the empire's division and external threats, he focused on domestic reforms, notably codifying Roman law. His reign faced significant challenges, including the Nike Riots, which he overcame with the help of Empress Theodora. Justinian embarked on military campaigns to reclaim lost territories, achieving temporary success in North Africa and Italy. However, the empire was strained by the Gothic Wars and the devastating plague of Justinian. His efforts expanded the empire but left it vulnerable to future threats. Justinian's legacy is marked by his commitment to restoring Roman greatness, though his reconquests were short-lived.

What was the state of the Roman Empire when Justinian I succeeded his uncle?

• It was newly established.

• It was at its peak.

• It was a shadow of its former self.

• It was expanding rapidly.

Which legal code did Justinian I consolidate and revise?

• The Twelve Tables

• The Code of Hammurabi

• Corpus Juris Civilis

• The Magna Carta

What event nearly forced Justinian to flee his throne?

• The Nike Riots

• The Plague of Justinian

• The Battle of Volturnus

• The Gothic Wars

Which general did Justinian deploy to North Africa to defeat the Vandals?

• Theodora

• Belisarius

• Narses

• Gelimer

What was the outcome of the Battle of Volturnus in 554?

• The Ostrogoths regained control of Italy.

• The Vandals regained control of North Africa.

• The Byzantines were defeated.

• The Franks and Alemanni were defeated.

What epidemic struck the Byzantine Empire during Justinian's reign?

• The Black Death

• The Antonine Plague

• The Plague of Justinian

• The Spanish Flu

Which regions did Justinian's reconquest bring back under Byzantine control?

• North Africa and Italy

• Britain and Gaul

• Egypt and Syria

• Persia and Mesopotamia

What was a significant consequence of Justinian's reconquests?

• The Byzantine Empire faced no further threats.

• The Byzantine Empire's population doubled.

• The Byzantine Empire became the largest in history.

• The Byzantine Empire was left overstretched.

Which group invaded Italy within a century of Justinian's death?

• The Franks

• The Lombards

• The Visigoths

• The Vandals

What was a major question raised about Justinian's foreign policy after his death?

• Whether it focused too much on the East.

• Whether it was too lenient.

• Whether it was a wise investment of resources.

• Whether it was too aggressive.