Justinian and Theodora: The Byzantine power couple – BBC REEL

Emperor Justinian I and Empress Theodora were the 6th Century golden couple of the Byzantine Empire. Think Jay-Z and Beyonce - but with a lot more chariots.

Script and narration by Emma Nagouse, University of Sheffield
Animation by Peter Caires

Find out more about Justinian I and Theodora's extraordinary legacy by downloading the original You’re Dead To Me podcast.

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#bbc #bbcreel #bbcnews

[TurtleShroom]

That picture of Jay-Z and Beyonce in Byzantine regalia is one of the most cursed images that I have ever seen...

[ninjogo]

How in the world is there not a movie or tv series on this Couple?!?

[tdyd]

Jay Z and Beyoncé are entertainers. Chickenheaded comparison.

[cyrusspitama]

"Byezantyne" What is that pronunciation lmfao

[zippyparakeet]

Sadly Justin II- Justinian's successor- was nowhere near as capable as his venerable predecessor. He was eventually deposed by Tiberius II who, while not a particularly great Emperor either, was still at least better than Justin.

Justinian's presence is still felt to this day. His policies directly resulted in the eventual fall of the Balkans to the slavic migrations due to the Empire being overstretched in its ambition to reconquer the old Western Roman Empire. Italy would soon fall to the Lombards.

While Tiberius' successor- Maurice- a highly competent emperor did a lot to stabilize both Italy and th4 Danube frontier of the Empire to avoid a complete collapse of Roman defenses here, he was murdered in a coup and soon these two theatres would fall. The slavs would breach the Danube frontier completely in the early 7th century and large sections of Italy would collapse to the Lombards and while pockets of Roman resistance would hold out- especially in the cities of Ravenna, Venice and Naples, they too would eventually fall (Venice continued to remain under Byzantine surzerainty but it was only in lip service).

In the East, the Persian King of Kings would launch a massive invasion of the Empire to avenge the death of Maurice by the usurpers since Maurice was his friend and had saved his life. This led to a 30 year war between the two superpowers that led to a huge amount of death and destruction with no territorial changes, leaving both Empires severely weakened and open to the invasion of a new power from Arabia- Islam.

[Eazy-ERyder]

Justinian THE GREAT (and Theodora) is one to be admired. Between him and the 'sword of Rome', the Renovatio Imperii was a truly Herculean accomplishment. Justinian and Belisarius were a legendary tandem whose legacy still thrives in many parts of the world today.

[farber]

First major plague outbreak, 541, he got sick but survived.

[danielfatfingahs]

You should've explained that no Greek, nor Turk, nor German, nor Arab of the time considered it Byzantine.

[GabrielKerygma]

Thinking about making him my patron saint at baptism..

[lorofcb]

Please pronounce Byzantine correctly next time, it icks me …a lot.

[thedrinkinggamemaker]

I don't remember Bey-Z trying to restore the glory of Rome

[texassteaks]

There is no Byzantine empire it’s the Eastern Roman Empire

[urusledge]

That is a wild way to pronounce “Byzantine”

[Cromwell]

Come on Bbc wake up Justinian was not “Black” he was Macedonian

[happinessisnotaduty]

The hell is this comparison with pop culture musicians? Α ΣΤΑ ΔΙΑΛΑ

[WilfChadwick]

420000 subs, 150 likes. Who said that xenophiles can't be funny. Bbc fifth columnists, Best fifth columnists. Can't wait for the 'magical' Crown jewel story.

[AlexYorim]

Ngl, I'd love Emperor JayZtinian and Empress Beyadora

[alexandralibin]

So sick of AI miss pronouncing common words. Byzantine, is an important name, which is part of world history. Get it right!

[Steelhard-jjwu]

Hmmm I wonder why they didn't mention Empress Theodora's

[alphahawk]

Back me up in my claim to be Emperor of North America! I will do great things for you all!