WI: Justinian I Dies as a Child?

This is my first post after being a lurker for years, so yay.

As the title states, what if Justinian the Great dies as a peasant child in a convenient accident, let's say in the early 490's? In my opinion, Justinian was not so great, and i believe many of the hardships that the empire went through later on would be solved through the death of the famous emperor...before he became anything noteworthy.

Do you believe this would be good or bad for the Empire in the long run?
 
Welcome aboard!

It depends a lot of what happen next. Does Justinus had more than one possible heir? Would Anastasus I's nephews make a come back? Possibilities are a bit too open to really answer you.

n my opinion, Justinian was not so great, and i believe many of the hardships that the empire went through later on would be solved through the death of the famous emperor...before he became anything noteworthy.
It's being too harsh on Justinian, and going too far on what is an overall sane criticism of the hagiography around him. Corpus iuris civilis had a massive influence during all the Middle Ages, for exemple.
Granted, another could have taken the place, but this hypothetical would have done similar policies than Justinian.

For exemple, the African conquest may, if the Empire is spared succession troubles or conflict, happen as IOTL; the change of emperors having little to non influence on Vandalic policies and critically on the Maur raids and takeover of 533 that made Africano-Romans calling for Byzantine help.
(And if this happen, there's an important possibility for that Romans accept to "help" Visigothic faction against another one).

The big change may be Italy : maybe another emperor would be more interested on sattelizing Italy rather the conquering it trough the pro-roman faction (and that would have interesting changes on Western European geopolitics, making Franks less wanked)

The policy towards monophysites may be less conciliant, but I don't really believe it : they were deeply rooted in southern and eastern provinces, and the emperors needed to slow down on religious conflict in order to keep control of these wealthy regions.

But again, it depends a lot who and how would take power ITTL.
 
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