Middle Ages Regents Practice

What is an achievement of Byzantine Emperor Justinian?

1. Establishing a direct trade route with Ghana

2. Bringing Roman Catholicism to his empire

3. Defending the empire against the spread of Islam

4. Preserving and transmitting Greek and Roman culture

The correct answer is: Preserving and transmitting Greek and Roman culture

The achievement of Byzantine Emperor Justinian that stands out is his role in preserving and transmitting Greek and Roman culture. Justinian is often remembered for his ambitious efforts to compile and systematize Roman law, culminating in the "Corpus Juris Civilis" or the "Body of Civil Law," which laid the foundation for legal systems in many modern nations. This codification not only organized existing legal principles but also ensured that the intellectual heritage of Rome was accessible and influential for future generations. In addition to his legal reforms, Justinian commissioned numerous building projects, including the Hagia Sophia, which exemplified the architectural accomplishments of the period and served as a bastion of Christian faith, embodying the cultural synthesis of both Roman and Byzantine elements. His reign is also marked by efforts to recover lost territories of the Western Roman Empire, further showcasing a revival of classical learning and culture as he aimed to restore the past glory of Rome. Thus, the impact of Justinian’s reign on the preservation of Greek and Roman culture remains a pivotal achievement in history, illustrating the continuation of classical thought and governance in the Byzantine Empire long after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.