The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · Character
Justinian II
Also known as Justinian Rhinotmetus, Justinian the Second
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 212
A young emperor whose mutilated features immediately mark him as one who has suffered violence, yet whose bearing still carries the weight of imperial authority. There's something unsettling about the combination of youth and evident suffering.
- Gender
- male
- Age
- Young adult
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 212
- Books
- 1
Justinian II ascended as a boy emperor, inheriting the throne as son of Constans II, only to face the brutal amputation of his nose—a punishment that would earn him the epithet 'Rhinotmetus.' His subsequent reign would be characterized by such tyrannical behavior that it would ultimately disable effective Greek resistance to Arab expansion. Though briefly restored after exile, his rule would leave a legacy of instability and weakened imperial authority.
Description
A young man bearing the distinctive disfigurement of a mutilated nose, his features otherwise showing the youth of one who came to power early. Despite his injuries, he maintains the imperial bearing expected of a Byzantine emperor, wearing the appropriate robes of office. The combination of his youth and evident suffering creates a haunting presence that speaks to both vulnerability and the harsh realities of Byzantine politics.
Story so far
BOOK 1The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire / Table of Contents with links in the HTML file to the two Project Gutenberg editions (12 volumes)
Appearances
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