Justinian and Theodora

Book topics: Justinian, Theodora, Other Empresses, Procopius, Law, Era, Maurice, Phocas, Fiction, Byzantine Empresses, Byzantine Empire, Roman Empire, Documentaries

Books About Justinian

Justinian: The Last Roman Emperor by G. P. Baker. Biography. Justinian and wife Theodora helmed the Roman empire in its waning days, successfully quashing invasions from the Goths, the Vandals, and other challengers. Ultimately, their efforts to restore the empire's grandeur failed.

The Emperor Justinian and the Byzantine Empire by James Allan Evans. An accessible introduction to Justinian's reign and his time.

Justinian and His Age by Percy Neville Ure. The story of the 6th century emperor who attempted to revive the Roman Empire in Byzantium after the fall of Rome to the Goths and Vandals. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

History of Later Roman Empire by John Bury. Published in two volumes, this work covers the Eastern empire from the death of Theodosius I to the death of Justinian. Available at Alibris.

The Iohannis, Or, De Bellis Libycis by Flavius Cresconius Corippus, translated by George W. Shea. This Byzantine epic is an important source of information about Justianian's reign, his wars of reconquest, and about the Berber tribes of North Africa.

Justinian and the Making of the Syrian Orthodox Church by Volker L. Menze. Covers the period from the accession of Justin to the second Council of Constantinople in 553.

Books About Theodora

Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian by James Allan Evans. Born into the lowest class of Byzantine society, Theodora became an actress and attracted the love of the future emperor Justinian, who made her not only his wife but also his partner in government.

Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape by Antony Bridge. Biography of the Byzantine empress.

Theodora: Empress of Byzantium by Paolo Cesaretti. This biography gives a balanced portrait of a woman who rose from the ranks of the poor to build an empire.

Empress of the Dusk: A Life of Theodora of Byzantium by John W. Vandercook. Published in 1940. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

More Books About Theodora & Other Empresses

Books by & About Procopius

The Secret History by Procopius, translated by G. A. Williamson. A first-century Byzantine historian describes the injustices of Justinian's reign. Justinian, the great law-giver, is portrayed as a hateful tyrant, married to ex-prostitute, Theodora.

History of the Wars by Procopius. First-hand accounts of Byzantine campaigns against Persians, Vandals, and Goths. Available from Alibris.

On Buildings by Procopius. About buildings erected by Justinian the Great.

Procopius and the Sixth Century by Averil Cameron. An assessment of the major historian of early Byzantium, by one of today's leading historians of late antiquity.

Hagia Sophia

Books About Hagia Sophia
More Books About Byzantine Art & Architecture

Justinian & Roman Law

The Civil Law edited by S. P. Scott. Complete English translation of the Corpus Iuris Civilis. Seven volumes.

The Institutes of Justinian. Justinian's Corpus Juris Civilis (Body of Civil Law) was made up of four parts. The shortest part, the Institutes, is an introduction to all of Roman law. Available from Alibris.

Digest of Roman Law: Theft, Rapine, Damage and Insult by Justinian, translated by C.F. Kolbert. The cases discussed in this selection from Justinian's code are concerned with everyday events, and provide a vivid picture of ordinary Roman life.

Age of Justinian

The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Justinian edited by Michael Maas. Twenty specialists explore the mechanics of empire, warfare, urbanism, the economy, and the great plague.

The Age of Justinian: The Circumstances of Imperial Power by J. A. S. Evans. Looks at the social structure of sixth-century Byzantium and the neighbors that surrounded the empire.

Justinian's Flea: Plague, Empire, and the Birth of Europe by William Rosen. Justinian seemingly restoring Rome's fortunes, but in the summer of 542 he encountered a flea. The ensuing outbreak of bubonic plague killed 5,000 people a day in Constantinople and nearly killed Justinian himself.

Constantinople in the Age of Justinian by Glanville Downey. From Alibris.

Emperor Maurice

The History of Menander the Guardsman edited by R. C. Blockley. The Greek historian Menander Protector wrote during the reign of the emperor Maurice (582-602). His work is a major source for the end of Justinian's reign and those of his successors, Justin II and Tiberius II. This book includes an introductory essay, text, translation, and historiographical notes.

Maurice's Strategikon: Handbook of Byzantine Military Strategy by Maurice, edited by George T. Dennis. The Byzantine emperor Maurice (582-602 AD) compiled an influential handbook for the field commander. This first complete English translation describes in detail weaponry and armor, daily life in the army, clothing, food, medical care, military law.

History of Theophylact Simocatta translated by Michael and Mary Whitby. Theophylactus Simocattes was a secretary to 7th century emperor Heraclius. This book is a history of the reign of Emperor Maurice, who succeeded Tiberius II. From Alibris.

Emperor Phocas

The Politics of Usurpation in the Seventh Century: Rhetoric and Revolution in Byzantium by David Michael Olster. About Phocas, last emperor of the Justin dynasty, who was succeeded by Heraclius.

Books About Other Byzantine Emperors

Novels About Justinian I and Justinian II

Justinian and Theodora by Robert Browning. The story of the peasant's son and actress who became emperor and empress.

Mysteries

One for Sorrow by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer. A mystery novel set at Justinian's court in Constantinople.

Two for Joy by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer. John the Eunuch, Lord Chamberlain to the Emperor Justinian, returns to solve another mystery.

Three for a Letter by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer. When an entertainment for Theodora results in the death of a royal hostage and the disappearance of the empress's favorite dwarf, John the Eunuch is once again charged with ferreting out the truth.

Four for a Boy by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer. More murder and mystery in Constantinople.

More Fiction About the Byzantine Empire

---

On DVD

These DVDs are formatted for North American audiences.

Justinian: The Last of the Romans. Born a peasant, he became emperor of the Roman world. But his was an empire in decline, and despite his valiant efforts, he is known as "the last of the Romans." Sometimes available from Amazon.

Documentary About the Byzantine Empire
Videos & DVDs About the Roman Empire
Videos & DVDs About World Royalty

Back to Top of Page