Which statement explains how Justinian's Code was a turning point in the regulation of the Byzantine Empire? (1 point)
• Justinian's Code was added to the Byzantine Empire after his reign, when the empire started declining.
• Justinian's Code complicated the existing legal code of the time period.
• Justinian's Code codified Roman law and allowed Justinian to have greater control of his empire.
• Justinian's Code did not have an effect on the Byzantine Empire because the people considered traditional Roman law more important than new Byzantine laws
• Justinian's Code codified Roman law and allowed Justinian to have greater control of his empire.
The statement that explains how Justinian's Code was a turning point in the regulation of the Byzantine Empire is: "Justinian's Code codified Roman law and allowed Justinian to have greater control of his empire."
The correct statement that explains how Justinian's Code was a turning point in the regulation of the Byzantine Empire is the third option: Justinian's Code codified Roman law and allowed Justinian to have greater control of his empire.
To understand why this statement is correct, we need to explore the context and impact of Justinian's Code. Justinian I, also known as Justinian the Great, was the Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, he sought to centralize and strengthen the Byzantine Empire, both politically and culturally. One aspect of his efforts was the reform of the legal system.
Justinian's Code, also known as the Corpus Juris Civilis or "Body of Civil Law", was a comprehensive compilation of Roman laws and legal principles. It consisted of four main parts: the Codex Justinianus (a collection of imperial constitutions), the Digesta (an anthology of legal writings and jurists' opinions), the Institutiones (a textbook for law students), and the Novellae Constitutiones (later additions to the code).
By codifying Roman law, Justinian's Code created a unified legal system that replaced the fragmented and often contradictory laws that had evolved over centuries. This codification allowed for greater clarity and consistency in legal matters, enabling the Byzantine Empire to function more efficiently and providing a foundation for legal decisions.
Furthermore, Justinian's Code centralized legal authority in the hands of the emperor. It emphasized the emperor's role as the ultimate source of law and justice, strengthening imperial control and centralizing power. This consolidation of legal authority contributed to the stability and consolidation of the Byzantine Empire under Justinian's rule.
Therefore, the third statement accurately explains how Justinian's Code was a turning point in the regulation of the Byzantine Empire by codifying Roman law and allowing Justinian to have greater control of his empire.