COMPARISON OF THE REIGNS OF JUSTINIAN AND CHARLEMAGNE

 

            The origins of Western Civilization are deeply rooted in Europe. Both the reigns of Justinian and Charlemagne made contributions to this civilization. Despite their reigns being centuries apart, both these rulers shared some visions. They also had their differences. Based on the number and significance of the contributions, Justinian’s reign made the most significant contributions to Western Civilization.

            These men share several similarities. They were both Roman Emperors. Justinian (r. 527-565) was the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire.[1] Charlemagne started as the King of Franks, but was crowned as the Roman Emperor in 800.[2] They also sought to expand their reigns over Europe and the Mediterranean. Justinian  expanded the Roman Empire to the West by conquering the Ostrogoth.[3] Charlemagne also expanded his reign to almost all of Western Europe.[4]

Given their conquests, these were powerful rulers who changed the course of history. However,  it is essential to look beyond large armies at their contributions to society. Charlemagne is said to have spent nearly all his reign leading his troops to battle.[5] Justinian, on the other hand, is described as deceitful, hypocritical, and cruel to his subjects.[6] How, then, did such men contribute to the rise of Western Civilization?

Christianity was at the heart of both Charlemagne’s and Justinian’s reigns. Without these two rulers, Christianity might not have been widespread as it is today. Justinian was not a godly man due to his devious ways.[7] However, he demonstrated his closeness to the Church by building the Hagia Sophia cathedral.[8] Although parts of the Byzantine state later fell under Islamic rule, Justinian’s gestures increased the popularity of Christianity in Europe.[9] Charlemagne retained close ties with the Pope[10]  after he restored the Pope’s seat in Lateran Palace.[11] He forced newly conquered populations to convert to Christianity. such as the Saxons of Central Europe.[12]

In terms of art and architecture, Justinian aimed to show his greatness by sponsoring the constructions of many buildings.[13] By doing so, a new age in architecture was born, which went ahead to inspire most of western civilization. The Hagia Sophia cathedral proved to be a great inspiration to architects.[14] Charlemagne also made architectural achievements through works such as the Basilica of the Holy Mother of God.[15] His care for sacred edifices is also notable. These architectural contributions, however, do not exceed those of Justinian. This is because Justinian focused on the buildings to demonstrate his greatness, while Charlemagne’s focus was on conquering foreigners.

One of Justinian’s significant contributions is the Body of Civil Law, also known as the Justinian Code.[16] This law laid the foundation for European law, making it a basis of Western Civilization as we know it.[17] Despite this immense contribution, Justinian’s laws also laid the foundation for discrimination against non-Christians.[18] Some of the groups who suffered greatly from such laws are the Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans. In contrast, Charlemagne issued legislative and administrative decrees known as capitularies.[19] These were, however, not always implemented.

Another contribution to Western Civilization by the two Roman Emperors lay in education. During Justinian’s reign, the Byzantine army moved to defeat the Ostrogothic kingdom and restore the Roman rule in Italy.[20] However, owing to heavy defenses by the Ostrogoth, Italy was heavily damaged. This set in motion a series of events that lead to low literacy levels as citizens ran away from war to rural areas.[21] Charlemagne is known to have remedied this situation. He achieved this by centering his focus on schools and centers of book production, also known as scriptoria.[22] He worked closely with English and Irish monks to supervise the high-quality schools and improve learning.[23] The books copied through the scriptoria, both Christian and secular, served as the basis of school curricula in Western Europe.[24]

Charlemagne’s focus on army conquests prevented him from making many significant contributions. His most important cultural contribution  was the Carolingian Renaissance.[25] It was characterized by efforts in learning and taken forward by his successors. Justinian, on the other hand, made significant contributions to Christianity, architecture, and law. Hence, the most significant contributions to Western Civilization came from Emperor Justinian.

Both Charlemagne and Justinian were prolific rulers who contributed immensely to the origin of Western Civilization as seen today, including  popularizing Christianity. Architecture was at the heart of Justinian’s reign. Charlemagne also accomplished several works of architecture that later on inspired generations. The foundation for European law is credited to Emperor Justinian. The most significant contribution to Western Civilization from Charlemagne is the educational systems put in place during the Carolingian renaissance. This reform in education set the basis for school curriculums in Western Europe. However, Justinian’s reign made the most significant contributions to Western Civilization, considering their widespread nature and influence upon later movements.

Bibliography

Berger, Eugene, George Israel, Charlotte Miller, Brian Parkinson, Andrew Reeves, and Nadejda Williams. World History: Cultures, States, and Societies to 1500. Dahlonega: University of North Georgia Press, 2016. https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/history-textbooks/2/

Einhard. “Medieval Sourcebook: Einhard: The Life of Charlemagne.” Internet History Sourcebooks. Paul Halsall, August 1996. https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/einhard.asp#Personal.

Procopius. “Medieval Sourcebook: Procopius: Secret History, Extracts.” Internet History Sourcebooks Project. Paul Halsall, March 1996. https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/procop-anec1.asp.

[1]. Berger, Eugene, George Israel, Charlotte Miller, Brian Parkinson, Andrew Reeves, and Nadejda Williams. World History: Cultures, States, and Societies to 1500 (Dahlonega: University of North Georgia Press, 2016), 272.

 

[2]. Ibid., 282.

[3]. Ibid., 274.

[4]. Ibid., 282.

[5]. Ibid.

[6]. Procopius. “Medieval Sourcebook: Procopius: Secret History, Extracts.” (Internet History Sourcebooks Project. Paul Halsall, March 1996), 2

[7]. Ibid.

[8]. Eugene, World History: Cultures, States, and Societies to 1500, 272.

[9]. Ibid., 274.

[10]. Ibid., 282.

[11]. Ibid.

[12]. Ibid.

[13]. Ibid., 272.

[14]. Ibid., 273.

[15]. Einhard. “Medieval Sourcebook: Einhard: The Life of Charlemagne.” (Internet History Sourcebooks. Paul Halsall, August 1996), 12

[16]. Eugene, World History: Cultures, States, and Societies to 1500, 273.

[17]. Ibid.

[18]. Procopius. “Medieval Sourcebook: Procopius: Secret History, Extracts.” 5

[19]. Eugene, World History: Cultures, States, and Societies to 1500, 283.

[20]. Ibid., 274.

[21]. Ibid., 275.

[22]. Ibid., 285.

[23]. Ibid.

[24]. Ibid.

[25]. Ibid., 284