History of the Byzantine Empire. Volume 1, Period II

The second part of the encyclopedic work of the great Russian historian examines the turbulent period of the rise of the Byzantine Empire as a conquering and creative force between 518 and 610, following the death of Emperor Anastasius and the accession of Justinian I to the throne.

The entire reign of this remarkable Byzantine ruler is imbued with his aspiration to restore the Roman Empire. He remains in history also for his extensive building activity; not only the jewel “Hagia Sophia” in Constantinople, but a number of other structures are regarded as architectural marvels. His efforts to codify the existing Roman law in his “Corpus Iuris Civilis,” which continues to be used by scholarship to this day, are also highlighted. His стремеж to centralize the vast empire led to the creation of a land cadastre, the taxation of land, and the introduction of the system of hereditary lease. All of this was subordinated to the main goal: unifying the extensive and diverse empire through the imposition of unity of faith and law.

Uspensky also presents the strong influence of Justinian’s wife—Empress Theodora—accompanied by interesting details and contradictory assessments, paying special attention to the accounts of the emperor’s historian, Procopius of Caesarea.

The Russian scholar does not overlook the flourishing of trade and Byzantium’s connections with the East, the manifestations of the so-called circus factions and the “Nika” revolt, as well as the establishment of the disgraceful and oppressive rule of Phocas until the accession of Heraclius, when a new era in the development of the powerful state began.

"History of the Byzantine Empire" is published in Bulgarian in five volumes, with the first volume divided into two parts.

• Volume 1, Period I
  Period I (up to 527). Elements of the formation of Byzantinism
• Volume 1, Period II
  Period II (518–610). From Justinian I to Heraclius
• Volume 2, Periods III–IV
  Period III (610–716). Heraclius and his successors. Period of Iconoclasm (717–867)
• Volume 3, Period V
  Period of the Macedonian dynasty (867–1057)
• Volume 4, Periods VI–VII
  Period VI. Komnenoi (1057–1185). Period VII. Disintegration of the Empire (1185–1204)
• Volume 5, Periods VIII–IX
  Laskarids (1204–1261). Palaiologoi (1261–1453)