Byzantine Emperor. He was born in AD 520. When the Emperor Justinian died in AD 596, Justin was made Emperor by a group of court officials who claimed that the dying Emperor had named him as his successor. He immediately paid off Justinian's debts and declared a policy of universal religious toleration. He also ended Justinian's policy of buying off potential enemies, but this soon led to an invasion by the Avars which was only halted when his successor, Tiberius, paid them a subsidy of sixty thousand silver pieces. When he also refused to pay tribute to the Persians they retaliated by forming an alliance with the Turks and overrunning Byzantine territories in Syria. The defeat caused him to lose his mind, and he appointed the General Tiberius as Caesar in AD 574 and withdrew from public life. His mental state continued to deteriorate throughout his final years, and he was often to be seen being pulled through the palace on a wheeled throne, biting his servants as he passed, while organ music was played in an attempt to calm him. He died in AD 578 and was succeeded as Emperor by Tiberius.
Byzantine Emperor. He was born in AD 520. When the Emperor Justinian died in AD 596, Justin was made Emperor by a group of court officials who claimed that the dying Emperor had named him as his successor. He immediately paid off Justinian's debts and declared a policy of universal religious toleration. He also ended Justinian's policy of buying off potential enemies, but this soon led to an invasion by the Avars which was only halted when his successor, Tiberius, paid them a subsidy of sixty thousand silver pieces. When he also refused to pay tribute to the Persians they retaliated by forming an alliance with the Turks and overrunning Byzantine territories in Syria. The defeat caused him to lose his mind, and he appointed the General Tiberius as Caesar in AD 574 and withdrew from public life. His mental state continued to deteriorate throughout his final years, and he was often to be seen being pulled through the palace on a wheeled throne, biting his servants as he passed, while organ music was played in an attempt to calm him. He died in AD 578 and was succeeded as Emperor by Tiberius.
Bio by: js
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