The Rule Of Byzantine Emperor Justin I - About History

On July 10, 518, former peasant Justin I was proclaimed Byzantine emperor in the Hippodrome, Constantinople. An excerpt from the article:

"The Throne
When Emperor Anastasius I died, he left neither a direct heir nor an indication of who he wanted on the throne. Three of his nephews held important positions; but did not have substantial support. Thus, the problem arose of electing a new Emperor.

Immediately after the death of the old Emperor, a message was sent to Koehler and Justin, the heads of the palace guard. Both arrived with their subordinates, Kohler called the scholastic subordinates, and Justin the excubites, after which the Emperor’s death was announced. The next morning, the people gathered at the Hippodrome, demanding a new Emperor. At this time, high officials and Patriarch John II gathered in the palace for talks; but could not come to an agreement. As the negotiations dragged on, the people at the Hippodrome proclaimed as Emperor of one of the officers, who later became Bishop of Herakleia,. and raised him to the shield. However, some of the people did not support this and a clash broke out between the factions, in which several people died. An attempt was made to elect Justinian, but he refused.

Finally, the senators agreed to the candidature of Justin. Some of the people disagreed with this choice, one of them attacked the new emperor and smashed his lip. However, the decision of the Senate was supported by the army, and the people had to agree. Justin went to the Hippodrome, and the people gathered there greeted him warmly. Then Justin was given purple garb and he went with the patriarch. Standing on the shield, Justin received the chain from the hands of the commander of the Legion. Military banners once lying on the ground were raised. Justin was raised on the shields of the soldiers disguised, and then patriarch John placed a crown on his head. The people welcomed the new Emperor, after which a decree was issued to give each soldier five gold pieces and a pound of silver. After that, the ceremony was the same as for previous Emperors.

The election of Justin, in the presence of more distinguished and respected senators and military commanders, was a complete surprise. Special care normally was devoted to the influence of commoners in the process of electing the Emperor.

Byzantium in the VI century had no established process of determining succession to the throne, and the position of Justin was precarious. Immediately after his election, a conspiracy was organized by Amantius against the new emperor.

Procopius, describing Justinian, writes that he did not do anything good for the country nor anything bad. Justin did not completely manage the country, delegating power to other people, who ruled the board at his discretion. Due to Justinian’s weakness, it was not too difficult to begin to pick the future inheritance, even during his uncle’s lifetime."