Justinian and Theodora
Robert Browning
Browning on the emperor of reconquest, codification, the Nika riot, and the plague years.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Emperor Wu of Liang
China
527–549
Emperor Kinmei
Japan
539–565
Theodora
Rome
527–548
Pope Vigilius
Papacy
537–555
Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei
China
534–550
Emperor Wen of Western Wei
China
535–551
Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi
China
550–559
Xiao Cha
China
555–562
Emperor Wen of Chen
China
559–565
Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou
China
560–565
Emperor Xiaozhuang of Northern Wei
China
528–531
Emperor Yuan of Liang
China
552–555
Pope Pelagius I
Papacy
556–561
Emperor Keitai
Japan
527–531
Emperor Ankan
Japan
531–535
Pope John III
Papacy
561–565
Emperor Senka
Japan
536–539
Pope Felix IV
Papacy
527–530
Xiao Kui
China
562–565
Pope John II
Papacy
533–535
Emperor Wucheng of Northern Qi
China
561–565
Pope Boniface II
Papacy
530–532
Emperor Fei of Western Wei
China
551–554
Emperor Gong of Western Wei
China
554–557
Xiao Zhuang
China
557–560
Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou
China
557–560
Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei
China
532–535
Emperor Jianwen of Liang
China
549–551
Emperor Jing of Liang
China
555–557
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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Further Reading
Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Justinian I's life and times.
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