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The Byzantine empress Ariadne

The Byzantine empress Ariadne, who married Anastasius. Now in the Louvre museum in Paris

Anastasius becomes Roman Emperor

When the Roman Emperor Zeno died in 491 AD, his widow Ariadne chose one of Zeno’s advisors, Anastasius, to become the new emperor (and she married him too).

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Zeno left the Empire in good shape, with plenty of money in the treasury. Anastasius was an older man when he became emperor, in his early sixties. He was very careful with money. So the Roman treasury did very well under Anastasius as well, though he got a reputation for being a skin-flint (a miser).

Anastasius fights the Sassanians

Anastasius fought a long war with the Sassanians. The war finally ended after three years. Both sides were so tired out that they agreed to just give back whatever they had conquered. They left everything the way it was before the war began.

Who were the Sassanians?
Sassanian rulers of the 400s AD

Anastasius I on a gold coin

Anastasius I on a gold coin

Justin becomes Roman emperor

Anastasius lived to be very old – nearly ninety! He had a long reign and a long marriage to Ariadne. Ariadne died in 515 AD, and Anastasius followed her three years later in 518 AD, without any sons. Justin, who was the captain of Anastasius’ bodyguards, made himself emperor. He announced that he had been Anastasius’ choice, though that’s probably not true.

A gold coin of Justin I

A gold coin of Justin I: can you find where it says IVSTINVS for Justin?

Justin, like Anastasius, was also an old man when he got into power. He was about 70 years old when Anastasius died. Because he had always been a soldier, people said, he didn’t know how to read or write. Justin didn’t know much about running an empire. So he depended on his advisers, who luckily did a good job.

Justinian becomes Roman emperor

One of Justin’s main advisers was his nephew Justinian. When Justin got sick, in April of 527, he named Justinian as his successor. Justin died in August of the same year, and Justinian became emperor.

Learn by doing: painting icons
More about Justinian

Bibliography and further reading about Anastasius and Justin:

Oxford Children’s History of the World, by Neil Grant (2000). A general history of the world for kids. Good place to start.

Early Medieval Europe, 300-1000, by Roger Collins (1991, 2nd edition 1999). Accurate and well-written.

History of Byzantium: 306-1453, by Timothy Gregory (2005). Also for adults, but more up to date.

Constantinople: The Forgotten Empire, by Isaac Asimov (1967). This book for kids got many future Byzantinists started on their path. It’s out of print, but you can get it used.

More Byzantine emperors – Justinian
More Medieval Europe
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