Justinian: The Last of the Romans

The episode explores the extraordinary reign of Justinian I, the Byzantine emperor whose ambition to restore Rome’s former glory reshaped the ancient world. It traces his rise from humble origins to the throne, highlighting his sweeping legal reforms that culminated in the Corpus Juris Civilis, the foundation of much modern law. The program examines Justinian’s military campaigns to reclaim lost western territories, his grand architectural achievements—most notably the Hagia Sophia—and the devastating challenges he faced, including the Nika riots and the plague that ravaged his empire. Through expert commentary and vivid reenactments, the episode also illuminates the powerful influence of his wife, Theodora, whose intelligence and resolve helped steer the empire through crisis. Justinian emerges as a determined, complex ruler—one whose vision earned him the title “the last of the Romans.”