Editing Justin II (section)

=== Accession ===
Justinian I died childless on 14 November 565. {{Interlanguage link|Callinicus (eunuch)|pl|3=Kallinik (eunuch)|lt=Callinicus}}, the ''[[praepositus sacri cubiculi]]'', seems to have been the only witness to his dying moments, and claimed that Justinian had designated Justin, his nephew, as his heir in a deathbed decision.<ref>{{harvnb|Corippus|Cameron|1976|pp=89–90}}: ''In laudem lustini Augusti minoris'' 1.110–154</ref> This sidelined another relative and candidate for the throne, also named [[Justin (consul 540)|Justin]], who was son of [[Germanus (cousin of Justinian I)|Germanus]], cousin of Justinian. Modern historians suspect Callinicus may have fabricated the last words of Justinian to secure the succession for his political ally.{{sfn|Evans|1996|pp=263–264}} As historian [[Robert Browning (Byzantinist)|Robert Browning]] observed: "Did Justinian really bring himself in the end to make a choice, or did Callinicus make it for him? Only Callinicus knew."{{sfn|Browning|2003|p=165}}

In any case, Callinicus started alerting those most interested in the succession, originally various members of the [[Byzantine Senate|Senate]]. Then they jointly informed Justin and Sophia, offering the throne. Justin accepted after the traditional token show of reluctance, and with his wife Sophia, he was escorted to the [[Great Palace of Constantinople]].<ref>{{harvnb|Corippus|Cameron|1976|pp=89–91}}: ''In laudem lustini Augusti minoris'' 1.155–200</ref> The [[Excubitors]] blocked the palace entrances during the night, and early in the morning, [[John Scholasticus]], [[List of Constantinople patriarchs|Patriarch of Constantinople]], crowned the new ''[[Augustus (title)|Augustus]]''. Only then was the death of Justinian and the succession of Justin publicly announced in the [[Hippodrome of Constantinople]].{{sfn|Evans|1996|p=264}} Justin's [[Coronation of the Byzantine emperor#Ceremonial of the 5th–6th centuries |coronation]] was written in detail by [[Corippus]] in his panegyric ''In laudem lustini Augusti minoris (In praise of Justin the Younger)''.{{sfn|Corippus|Cameron|1976}}

Both the Patriarch and [[Tiberius II Constantine|Tiberius]], [[Excubitors#Known commanders of the Excubitors|commander of the Excubitors]], had been recently appointed, with Justin having played a part in their respective appointments, in his role as Justinian's ''curopalates''. It is thus seen that they were willing to elevate their patron and ally to the throne.{{sfn|Evans|1996|p=264}}

Justin's first address to the senate contained criticisms of Justinian: "Let the world rejoice that whatever was not done or put into practice because of our father's old age has been corrected in the time of Justin." In the speech, he vowed to repay debts, restore the emptied treasury and promised not to confiscate senatorial properties.<ref>{{harvnb|Corippus|Cameron|1976|pp=99}}: ''In laudem lustini Augusti minoris'' 2.255–275</ref>