ABSTRACT
Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, known for his largely successful attempt to revive Roman power and glory, called the renovatio imperii, or “restoration of the empire.” Justinian’s armies reconquered much of the territory in Europe that barbarian tribes had seized in the early to mid-fifth century c.e. The renovatio, however, involved more than military conquest. Justinian is perhaps best known for the code of laws compiled under his direction, called the Corpus Juris Civilis (Body of Civil Law). He was also a patron of the arts.
