o The other side of the coin was that the emperor was the
supreme benefactor of the church, enacting its decisions (when
it agreed with him) and, as the Codex indicates, providing legal
support for ecclesiastical policies.Mixed Results of Justinian’s Reign
• As remarkable as the reign of Justinian was, the results of his efforts
were mixed.
• Certainly, his goal of restoration fell short: The expanded empire
shrank back in size after brief success in the west. Further, the
policies of Justinian set some bad precedents.
o The system of taxation was efficient but also oppressive and,
ultimately, not a real economic plan; as conquests failed and
crops were poor, the resources of the empire were steadily
drained over time.o The increased use of mercenaries in the imperial army made
the empire reliant on others and was incredibly expensive,
another drain on the imperial treasury.o Finally, the policy of pacifying enemies through tribute
was shortsighted: It won temporary relief but could not be a
permanent solution.• Even more devastating was the blow struck at the empire and
Justinian himself by the “Plague of Justinian,” a health disaster
that was unparalleled until the Black Death hit Europe in the 14th
century. The plague was probably carried by rats on grain boats
from Egypt. Its height in Constantinople occurred in 541–543,
when it killed, according to Procopius, as many as 5,000 people
a day.• Despite these negatives, Justinian’s lengthy and brilliant reign
established an empire of great stability and endurance, within which
the Christian religion continued to play a critical role to the end.