Question

1. What was Justinian's major goal as ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire?

2. What were some of the not-so-great tactics and methods he used in trying to achieve that goal?

3. What do you think about the way Justinian responded to the Nika Riots? Was it the smart thing to do politically? Was it the right thing to do ethically?

4. What is your opinion of Empress Theodora, the wife of Justinian?

5. Do you think Justinian should be blamed for the deaths from the plague? Why or why not?

6. Overall, do you think Justinian should be remembered as Justinian the Great or Justinian the Terrible? Explain the basis for your opinion.

Answer 1

1. He wanted to retake the west

2. Though not directly, he definitely made liberal interpretations of things like treaties and alliances

3. It was definitely the smart thing to do politically, assuring that no other challenges to his rule would arise in his lifetime. Ethically... maybe letting half the city burn and slaughtering the entirety of the rioters in the stadium was wrong? I think killing people like that is wrong.

4. She was a brilliant political thinker and an integral part of Justinian's rule. Without her advise he probably woulda been deposed during the Nika Riots, or perhaps not managed to maneuver his way into all of the legal reforms he managed to institute

5. Not... really, while his wars certainly helped spread it, trade was an essential part of life and the plague would have ravaged the people anyways.

6. Justinian's ambition and drive, as well as his frankly herculean efforts to make the roman empire a lustrous figure again make it hard not to think of him as anything other than the great. That said don't slaughter people in a stadium, it's a bad look.

Step-by-step explanation:

You underpaid me, you scrotal follicle.