Byzantine Empire: Justinian and Theodora - From Swineherd to Emperor - Extra History - #1

Support us on Patreon! Watch the Justinian and Theodora series! Subscribe for new episodes every Saturday! Follow us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Follow us on Twitch! http://bit.y/ECTwitch ____________ Justinian arose from humble roots, the nephew of an illiterate pig farmer named Justin. Justin joined the army and rose to become leader of the palace guard, then took his nephew under his wing and made sure that he was well educated. When Emperor Anastasius died, Justin used his position (and his standing army inside Constantinople) to claim the crown for himself. His nephew guided the early years of his reign, helping Justin secure support both in the capitol and abroad. When Justin died, rule of the Byzantine Empire passed to the young Justinian, who had grand ambitions to restore its waning glory. It also freed him to marry Theodora, a fa