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Why did Justinian I’s government collect high taxes?

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Mosaic detail of Emperor Justinian I with a jeweled crown and halo, wearing ornate robes, from the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. — Justinian I Justinian I, detail of a mosaic in the Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy.

Justinian I’s government collected high taxes primarily to fund the immense costs associated with his ambitious military campaigns, particularly his efforts to regain former Roman provinces in the West, such as Italy and North Africa.12

Beyond military operations, significant revenue was required for:
* Subsidies: Payments made to foreign powers and barbarian rulers to maintain peace or secure borders.12
* Building Programs: Extensive state-sponsored construction, including fortifications, aqueducts, and iconic religious structures like the Hagia Sophia.1
* Disaster Recovery: The costs of rebuilding cities devastated by recurring earthquakes.1

To ensure these funds were available, Justinian employed capable finance ministers, such as John of Cappadocia and Peter Barsymes, who implemented efficient tax collection, audited accounts, and established lucrative state monopolies, such as the trade in silk fabrics. These rigorous financial exactions were often unpopular, as they placed a heavy burden on both the rich and the poor across the empire.12