Final answer:
Emperor Justinian's impact on the Byzantine Empire was characterized by strengthening and expanding the empire's territory, influence, and cultural achievements, although the costs of his military campaigns eventually contributed to its slow decline after his death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Justinian's Impact on the Byzantine Empire
The impact of Emperor Justinian on the Byzantine Empire is best described as Strengthened and Expanded. During his rule from 527 to 565, Justinian had a significant effect on the empire's political, religious and cultural landscape. He implemented religious policies and funded the construction of influential churches like the Hagia Sophia. Additionally, his legal reforms, monumental building projects, and military campaigns notably increased the empire's size and influence. Justinian's reign coincided with the zenith of Byzantine culture. His efforts to codify Roman law with the Corpus Juris Civilis laid foundational principles that would influence European legal systems for centuries. The military conflicts with the Persians were costly, but the reconquest of parts of the Roman West, including Italy, represented a massive expansion of the empire's territories.
However, the expenses of continual warfare, both against the Western Germanic tribes and the Persians, eventually weighed heavily on the empire. Despite the transient expansion, these expenses contributed to a slow decline after Justinian's death. His efforts in sustaining these campaigns, though remarkable, left the empire vulnerable to future challenges. Nonetheless, Justinian's ambition and accomplishments left a lasting legacy that, for his time, greatly bolstered the power and prestige of the Byzantine Empire.