Justinian Encourages The Arts

Under the leadership of the emperor Justinian, the arts flourished in the Byzantine Empire. He encouraged music, art, and drama. Justinian also was a masterful builder. He commissioned new roads, bridges, aqueducts, baths, and a variety of other public works. One of his greatest building projects was a church in the heart of Constantinople which he named Hagia Sophia. This massive cathedral still stands today, as one of the largest churches in the world.