Editing Christianization (section)

==== Christianization with coercion under Justinian I ====
{{Main|Justinian I}}
[[File:Mosaic of Justinianus I - Basilica San Vitale (Ravenna).jpg|thumb|Mosaic of Justinian I in the Basilica San Vitale in Ravenna|alt=photo of a mosaic of Justinianus I from the Basilica San Vitale]]
The religious policy of the Eastern emperor Justinian I (527 to 565) reflected his conviction that a unified Empire presupposed unity of faith.{{sfn|Irmscher|1988|p=165}}{{sfn|Anastos|1967|pp=13–41}} Justinian's efforts at requiring and enforcing this have led [[Anthony Kaldellis]] to write that Justinian is often seen as a tyrant and despot.{{sfn|Kaldellis|2012|pp=1–3}} Unlike Constantine, Justinian did purge the bureaucracy of those who disagreed with him.{{sfn|Kaldellis|2012|p=2}}{{sfn|Stern|1998|p=151}} He sought to centralize imperial government, became increasingly autocratic, and according to the historian [[Giovanni Domenico Mansi|Giovanni Mansi]], "nothing could be done", not even in the Church, that was contrary to the emperor's will and command.{{sfn|Mansi|1762|p=970B}} In Kaldellis' estimation, "Few emperors had started so many wars or tried to enforce cultural and religious uniformity with such zeal".{{sfn|Kaldellis|2012|p=3}}{{sfn|Irmscher|1988|p=166}}{{sfn|Lichtenberger|Raja|2018|pp=85–98}}
[[File:Justinien 527-565.svg|thumb|The extent of the Byzantine Empire under Justinian's uncle Justin I is shown in the darker color. The lighter color shows the conquests of his successor, Justinian I also known as Justinian the Great|alt=this is a map showing the area that Justinian I conquered]]