Justin II
Justin II: emperor of the East-Roman (Byzantine) empire (r.565-578).
Dates:
- c.510: born
- 15 November 565: recognized as emperor
- 5 October 578: natural death
Successor of: Justinian
Relatives:
- mother: Vigilantia, sister of Justinian
- married to: Sophia
Main deeds:
- 552: becomes an important courtier (cura palatii) and de facto co-regent of Justinian
- 568: Langobards invade Italy; the Visigoths in Spain start to attack Byzantine possessions in Andalusia
- 569/570: Death of the Ghassanid leader Harith; he is succeeded by Mundhir
- 572: Outbreak of war against the Sasanian Persians
- 573, November: Persians seize Dara on the Tigris
- 574: Justin starts to suffer from a mental illness: he rushes in terror through the palace, crying like a wild beast, biting his servants, hides himself under his bed or covers himself with pillows, and even tries to throw himself out of the window.note The empire is governed by the empress and Justin's eventual successor, Tiberius II
- 578: Natural death
Buildings:
- Constantinople: Orphanage of Saint Paul, repairs to Aqueduct of Valens
Contemporary events:
- 565 Corippus writes a laudatory poem on Justin's accession
Succeeded by: Tiberius II