Justinian

While Justinian I controlled the Eastern Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire) from 526 to 565 AD, the Western Roman Empire had already succumbed to the barbarians by the year 476 AD.

Justinian aimed to restore the empire's glory and retake the western half during his rule. Many areas of the empire were retaken by his two great generals, Belisarius and Narses, including Rome itself. Justinian has been referred to in modern history as "the last Roman" due to his efforts to restore the Roman Empire.

The Justinian Code, which was founded on a compilation of already existing Roman laws, is well recognized as Justinian's creation of a single, comprehensive code of law. All legal systems in the Western world have since adopted this code as their foundation.

In addition, Justinian oversaw the construction of several impressive structures in his capital city of Constantinople, the most notable of which was the Church of Hagia Sophia, which went on to serve as the long-lasting epicenter of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. But then, in the early 540s,s a terrible bubonic plague outbreak ultimately signaled the irreversible phase of Roman collapse.

Lifespan: 482 AD - 14 November, 565 AD