Justin I

Timeline

1. c. 450–470Bederiana · Dacia MediterraneaJustin was born into a poor peasant family in Illyria (in today's Balkans); according to Procopius's Secret History, he was illiterate in his early years. As a young man he traveled to Constantinople with fellow villagers to seek a livelihood, joined the army, and gradually distinguished himself through his physique and courage.
2. c. 470–518Constantinople · Byzantine EmpireJustin served in the Constantinopolitan army for decades, spanning the reigns of emperors Zeno and Anastasius I, and rose steadily to command of the imperial guard (Excubitores). He brought his nephew Justinian (the future Justinian I) to the capital and funded his systematic education in Greek culture and Latin, laying long-term groundwork for his nephew's future rule.
3. 518–527Constantinople · Byzantine EmpireAnastasius I died on July 9, 518, without an heir. The imperial guard acclaimed the roughly 68-year-old Justin as emperor, becoming Justin I. During his reign he abolished his predecessor's Monophysite policies, restored diplomatic relations with the pope of Rome (ending the Acacian Schism), promoted Chalcedonian orthodoxy, and increasingly relied on his nephew Justinian in domestic affairs. In April 527 he formally designated Justinian co-emperor, and died a few months later on August 1, 527, from complications of a leg injury.