Justin II

Timeline

1. c. 520–565Constantinople · Byzantine EmpireJustin II was the son of Vigilantia, sister of Justinian I, and Dulcius. He held important posts at Justinian's court, including curopalates (palace master), and married Sophia, niece of Empress Theodora, maintaining close political ties to the imperial house. In 565, as Justinian lay dying, the court official Callinicus brought him to the emperor's bedside, where he received the dying emperor's recognition and succeeded smoothly to the throne.
2. 565–572Constantinople · Byzantine EmpireOn accession, seeking to restore imperial prestige, Justin II firmly refused to pay the accumulated tribute to the Avar khaganate and cut off gifts to the barbarians north of the Danube, leading the Avars to ally with the Lombards; after 568 the Lombards invaded Italy, severely weakening imperial rule there. Against Persia, he supported Armenian resistance to the Sasanians, causing the Byzantine–Sasanian War to reignite in 572.
3. 572–578Constantinople · Byzantine EmpireAround 572 Justin II's mental condition deteriorated sharply; according to chroniclers he would howl during episodes and imagine he could fly, requiring palace attendants to soothe him with an organ. In 574, at the arrangement of Empress Sophia and his ministers, he elevated the guards officer Tiberius (the future Tiberius II) to Caesar and co-emperor, effectively delegating all governance to him. On 5 October 578 Justin II died in an almost deranged state, formally passing the throne to Tiberius.