Editing Justinian I (section)

==Historical sources==

Contemporary sources include the writings of Procopius, John Malalas, [[John of Ephesus]], [[Agathias]], [[John the Lydian]], [[Menander Protector]], [[Evagrius Scholasticus]], [[Pseudo-Zacharias Rhetor]], [[Jordanes]], [[Marcellinus Comes]], [[Corippus]] and [[Victor of Tunnuna]]. The [[Paschal Chronicle]] and [[Theophanes the Confessor]] also provide accounts of his reign though written in a later period.

Procopius provides some of the primary sources for the history of Justinian's reign, but displays growing disillusionment (Justinian and the Later Roman Empire by John W. Barker) and bitterness towards Justinian and his empress Theodora. While he glorified Justinian's architectural achievements in his panegyric (''Buildings'') and provided a more lukewarm account in his history (''Wars''), Procopius also wrote a hostile account, [[Historia Arcana|''Anekdota'']] (the so-called ''Secret History''), in which Justinian is depicted as cruel, venal, incompetent and demonic. The [[Syriac language|Syriac]] chronicle of John of Ephesus, which survives partially, was used as a source for later chronicles, contributing many additional details of value. John Malalas' chronicle was another popular source that summarized the events of his reign.

Justinian is widely regarded as a [[saint]] by [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christians]]. In various Eastern Orthodox Churches, including the [[Orthodox Church in America]], Justinian and his empress Theodora are commemorated on the anniversary of his death, 14 November. Some denominations translate the [[Julian calendar]] date to 27 November on the [[Gregorian calendar]]. The [[Calendar of Saints (Lutheran)|Calendar of Saints]] of the [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]] and the [[Lutheran Church–Canada]] also commemorate Justinian on 14 November.