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What other public works did Justinian I build besides churches?
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Justinian I
Justinian I, detail of a mosaic in the Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy.
Beyond his extensive church-building program, Justinian I commissioned a wide array of public works designed to support the infrastructure and defense of the Byzantine Empire. His efforts included:
- Essential Infrastructure: He oversaw the construction of aqueducts and bridges to improve connectivity and water supply.1
- Urban Reconstruction: He was responsible for rebuilding entire cities that had been devastated by earthquakes, which was a recurring necessity throughout his reign.1
- Defensive Fortifications: He invested heavily in essential fortifications and defenses along the empire's extensive frontiers to protect against external threats.1
- Social and Charitable Facilities: His building program included the establishment of monasteries, orphanages, and hostels to support the welfare of his subjects.1
These projects, detailed in the work On Buildings (De aedificiis) by the historian Procopius, were part of a broader effort to maintain the strength and stability of the state, even as his military campaigns and administrative reforms placed significant pressure on the imperial treasury.1