Justinian (novel)

Justinian (ISBN 0-8125-4527-3), was published in 1998 by Tor Books. It is a novel by American writer Harry Turtledove writing under the pseudonym H. N. Turteltaub, a name he used when writing historical fiction for a time.

Plot summary
The book centers around Byzantine Emperor Justinian II. It is presented as the emperor's autobiography, as it is being read to one of his faithful aids, the blind soldier Myakes. The book follows Justinian's time before and after taking the throne, as well as his overthrow, mutilation and exile in the Crimea his subsequent return to power (following a possibly aprocyphal nose-job), his insane quests for revenge, and finally being unseated a second time and executed.

Historical Accuracy
H. N. "Harry Turtledove" Turteltaub has a doctorate in Byzantine history, and most of what's in the book is historically accurate. The parts that are pure conjecture, such as certain names and the way Justinian's mutilation was taken care of, are mentioned as being conjecture in the Author's Note.

Major themes
The central theme of the book seems to be "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely", but this is not necessarily the case. Justinian is a man who believes he can do no wrong. After all, he's on the throne because God wants him to be there. If he's acting in the name of God, how can he be doing evil?

Another central theme of the book is the importance of religion in the 700s. Justinian's father is shown convening a synod, and both Justinian and his father lead battles against the newly arisen Muslim faith. The Popes, who are considered by many in Constantinople to be merely the Bishop of Rome, are shown as not having as much influence then as they would have in later centuries.