ABSTRACT
The eternity of the world was a basic tenet of pagan philosophy and science for both Plato and Aristotle. William Heath has made two important points. First, von Justinian's legislation on aspects of marriage and divorce continued intermittently throughout his reign. In fact the reforms began in the late 520s and continued until the mid 550s. Second, although much of the legislation was influenced by Christianity Justinian had other objects as well. In contrast for Christians the inevitability of a finite world was equally essential to ensure the promise of the eschaton and the Second Coming. The closing of the Athenian Academy, the debate over the eternity of the world as against the Second Coming, the haste over the building of Hagia Sophia along with the Nea church in Jerusalem, the background to the Christian Topography of Cosmas Indicopleustes may thus all be part of an intricate if loose linking.
