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The Age of Justinian - CED00109C

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  • Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

Justinian ruled the Byzantine Empire from Constantinople for thirty-eight years from 527 to 565. His reign was marked by military campaigns to re-unite the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire, but its legacy is one of artistic excellence and legal reforms which would endure into modern times. Events of this period had influenced changes in political, economic and religious developments throughout the Middle Ages. This module will explore the textual sources as well as the art and architecture which have documented the age of Justinian. It will also explore secondary readings to assess the sources from different angles.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

The Age of Justinian is a major topic in Eastern Mediterranean history of the 6th century. Easily access to texts in translation and a wealth of visual evidence (Ravenna mosaics; buildings in Constantinople; Monastery of Mount Sinai) make this an attractive cross-disciplinary module to lifelong learning students.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the main events of the period
  • Analyse the main themes relevant to Justinian’s reign and their effects on the east and the west of the Empire
  • Assess and evaluate a range of historiographical approaches to the period
  • Critically analyse primary sources (in translation) relevant to the reign of Justinian
  • Analyse major works of art and architecture executed under the patronage of Justinian in terms of their iconography and symbolism.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.

The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.

Indicative reading

  • John Moorhead, Justinian (London: Longman, 1994)
  • Peter Sarris, Economy and Society in the Age of Justinian (Cambridge: CUP, 2006)
  • Michael Maas, The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Justinian (Cambridge: CUP, 2005).


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.