Emperor That Was Not Alone
… or how to build a great team if you want to attempt the greatest restructuring project in history
Introduction
Decline of Roman Empire and its transformation into what we later called Byzantine Empire is one of the greatest restructuring stories in our history. The attempts to restructure were many (Diocletian’s reforms, Constantine’s changes, Theodosius’s split and finally even fall of Western Roman Empire was a sort of restructuring). But in my opinion, the most daring and notable restructuring attempt was the one of emperor Justinian in the early 6th century. He tried to get back all of the territories lost in centuries before (western half) and tried to return the ancient glory to the empire. But one cannot make up in one generation what has been continuously slipping away for centuries. So yes, he did not succeed in his attempt in a longer run, but still the endeavor is more than impressive.
The Value of a Team
To complete any rather complex task, and especially as complex as restructurings are, you need a great team. As I have written before, restructuring is a complex endeavor. Sure, cosmetic changes are easy, but the true commitment takes time and effort.
As written many times before, one can always accomplish much more with a well-organized team. I’d dare saying, only with well-organized and dedicated team.
Justinian’s Team
Without any diminishment or arrogance, allow me to tell an aspect of a story of Justinian and his attempt to reorganize and restore one of the largest organizations in history of our time. Restauration of Roman Empire.
This is not historical article, but rather using this story as a metaphor to illustrate the importance of a great team cooperation. On the mention of Justinian, we often see this picture:
But the great thing about this picture is the fact that it is a part of a larger one. It is a part of beautiful mosaic in Basilica San Vitale in Ravena. It is a part of this picture:
Most of the pictures we have of other Roman emperors are either from statues or from coins. And there, we can usually see only one person: the emperor himself. Here, on this mosaic, we can see that Justinian is not alone. There are others with him. Although we do not know for sure (except for the Justinian) who the others are, we can tell that it was his team and that he felt important to be pictured not alone, but together with them, his team.
Why Justinian Needed a Team
One of the main differences between Roman Empire in its early stages and the empire in time of Justinian was a lack of stability of complex structures of governance the empire possessed in 2nd century AD (after continuous crisis that started at the beginning of 3rd century AD, empire never really recovered). It was much harder to rule during Justinian’s times than it was in the first two centuries of the first millennium. In the second century AD, structures of government were in place for ruling large area (see map of Roman Empire in 2nd AD on the following picture).
By the times of Justinian (beginning of 6th century AD) most of those structure either deteriorated, changed significantly or collapsed. He could not rely on those structures for one of the biggest restoring projects of all time: Restauration of Western Roman Empire.
So, he focused on building his team. Emperor needed to build something that would resemble a board, a government even if you will.
Strength of A Leader
Of course, first of all, to even attempt organizing a team, leader alone needs to be equipped with his own strengths: knowledge, persistence, etc.
It has been said about Justinian that he was the emperor who never sleeps. He was well educated in law, theology and very important — in history. Hence, he knew what was going on before. He studied moves of his predecessors and he was trying to find a new way. A new way adapted to new times that were upon him. So, he decided to choose efficient administrators, commanders and allies.
It would be unfair to say that other emperors did not build teams, but this difference of existence of structures during early empire and of the chaotic times of late antiquity is so significant that having a great team at these times meant much more. Governing in the second century was a maintenance of “established organization”, and this was an attempt of restauration.
Emperor That Has Never Left Palace
One more important fact to illustrate the difference of existing structures and governance between Justinian’s time and times of stabile empire: while emperor Hadrian (ruled 117–138 AD) was almost never in Rome in the palace (he traveled all over the empire), Justinian never left his palace in Constantinople. Justinian had to rely on others to lead his military campaigns and all of the affairs in the distant parts of the empire. This was partly because he had to remain in the palace which was a symbol of emperor’s power. He had to manage all of the palace power games and the new social constructs (more power to feudal lords) that was in the making.
The Team
So, who were the members of Justinian’s team?
His number one man was Belisarius. His most trusted general that did majority of work regarding military campaigns. He conquered Africa and Italy. Most of what was reconquered by Justinian in his efforts to restore the Western Roman Empire was done by Belisarius. Belisarius was loyal to Justinian almost all of his life. Even with one episode where he was accused of conspiring against Justinian. He was even found guilty and put to prison, but soon he was pardoned by Justinian and their friendship was restored. We speculate that one of the characters depicted on famous mosaic in Basilica of San Vitale represents Belisarius (see picture).
Then there was Narses — also military commander. Justinian used Narses to manipulate power between Belisarius and him. So, when he wanted to show who was in charge, he would recall Belisarius and send Narses in his place. Narses was a eunuch, a much older and experienced man. We also speculate that one of the characters on the famous mosaic is him (see picture).
Then there was Liberius, an 80 year of man who was a praetorian prefect (a minister of police we could say) that helped Justinian reconquer south of Iberian Peninsula.
Justinian had in his team not only soldiers, but also skilled administrators, such as Tribonian. Tribonian was legal advisor. Yes, we may think of emperor as someone with absolute powers, but that was not the case in neither Roman nor Byzantine times. The rule of law was important and one needed to be skilled in interpreting it and using it.
Justinian needed large investments in order to finance all of the military campaigns and his attempt of restauration of the empire. So, naturally in his team he needed a “finance minister”, someone to collect all the taxes needed. For that, he had John the Cappadocian and Peter Barsymes.
Justinian’s empire was large, but he did have many neighbors (of which some he later conquered). And if state has neighbors, it needs to have diplomacy. Justinian’s diplomat was Peter the Patrician.
And last, but in no circumstances the least. Some would say the most important member of his team was his wife, Theodora. Theodora has the whole side of one wall in Basilica San Vitale made just for her (and her entourage — see picture). But her, being so important, deserves the whole another story.
There were many others who participated in Justinian’s endeavor, but these were just some of the most important I wanted to point out to emphasize the importance and existence of this team, as often when we mention historical figures, we mention a leader only. And a leader is “the leader” only because he/she can create a great team that leaves the impact that is felt even after so many centuries.
When we see the rooster, who actually participated in Justinian’s project and who was helping him, and when we see the results — we can surely conclude that a team can do much more than one man.
What’s Missing
What is missing in Justinian’s story to be truly great, was that he has not created a system, or a culture if you will, for choosing and building great teams for the future generations (unlike emperors from second century AD did). Gains he accomplished did not last long. We do judge leaders by the leaders they create and leaders and teams they leave behind.
Conclusion
Although we cannot compare today’s world and organizations with what Justinian had to go through, the message is still rather clear. He was born in a very turbulent times and had ambition to make things better. At least in his point of view. He tried to bring back all the good things from “before” (and late antiquity and Middle Ages are really one of the rare periods in the human history when “before” was actually better). He was really trying to accomplish almost impossible task. And that could only be accomplished by being surrounded by a great team.
