Turkey / Byzantium: Justin I (450 - 527), Byzantine emperor, from the book Romanorvm imperatorvm effigies: elogijs ex diuersis scriptoribus per Thomam Treteru S. Mariae Transtyberim canonicum collectis, c. 1583

Justin I (450 - 527) was a peasant and swineherd by birth, and after fleeing to Constantinople from a barbaric invasion, joined the army. His ability and skill saw him rise through the ranks to eventually become a general under Emperor Anastasius I. Justin I became so close to the emperor that by the time of his death in 518, Justin had become commander of the Excubitors, the palace guard.

When Anastasius died in 518, Justin was able to secure election as emperor due to his position and carefully placed bribes to the troops in the city. He wisely surorunded himself with trusted advisors, due to his inexperience with statecraft. One of his closest advisors was his nephew, the future Justinian I.

His latter ruling years were marked by constant attacks from the Ostrogoths and Persians, as well as the destruction of Antioch by an earthquake. Justin's health began to decline and he formally named Justinian his co-emperor in 527, dying later in the same year and making Justinian sole ruler. He founded the Justinian Dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire for almost 100 years.

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