Emperor Justinian I's policy towards barbarian raids on the northern borders of the Byzantine Empire (550-562 AD)

Abstract

    This research examines the policy pursued by Emperor Justinian I regarding the repeated raids and attacks carried out by groups of barbarian peoples living beyond the Danube River, which represented the northern border of the Byzantine Empire. The research sheds light on the difficulties faced by Emperor Justinian I, primarily the raids of the Slavic and Avar tribes, in addition to his wars with the Ostrogoths and their exploitation and incitement to war against the Emperor. The research also reviewed a series of alliances concluded by the Emperor with those peoples, sometimes with them and other times against each other, such as his alliance with the Lombards against the Gepids and the Avars against the Slavs. It became clear to us through this that the Emperor somewhat succeeded in following this policy to reduce the dangers of these peoples to his empire