"Is the Orb's Distinguished Father Alive or Dead?" The Death of Emperor Justinian (565), According to the Panegyric of Justin II of Corippus (566 - 568).

Abstract

The Late Antiquity was marked by important and intense transformations, both the ancient occidental roman territories, as well as the Eastern Roman Empire. From the several emperors that overtook the massive Eastern Roman Empire, Justinian I was, indeed, the one that obtained a larger projection in the history of the late Mediterranean throughout the 6th century. Originator of several civil initiatives and reformulations, to him we attributed the last grand effort of developing a hegemony over the occidental Mediterranean since Constantinople and tried to regain the prestige and greatness of the imperial authority, named by historiography as Renouatio Imperii. Measured by failures and victories, the reign of Justinian I (527-565) is considered as the inflection point of an Eastern Roman Empire that began to lose its spark and strength. Nevertheless, its importance and legacy appeared prominently in the Panegyric dedicated to its successor Justin II (565-578), redacted by Flavius Cresconius Corippus, on which the death of Justinian I and its funerals are described as an authentic ritual dedicated to the imperator sacratissimus. On this study, we will analyze its political details and significance, both cultural and social presented by Corippus at Justinian´s funeral.

Keywords:
Late Antiquity; Eastern Roman Empire; Justinian; Panegyric to Justin II; Imperial funeral