Favourite Period of Byzantine History

Originally posted by Knights Me personally, I think that the 476AD-640AD period in Byzantine history is very fascinating, and possibly my favourite. The campaigns of Narses and Belisarius are very interesting, but not to be outdone later on in this period by the antics of Heraclius (namely his Sassanian Wars). Various legal, civil and economic achievements also take my interest, such as the rebuilding of the Hagia Sophia under Justinian I in the 530's and the revision of the ancient roman law code, the corpus juris civilis. The era of Basil II is probably equally favourable to me - because of the fact that the Byzantines were probably at their peak under his rule - however I can only vote for one period

I completely agree the reign of Justinian is probably (in my opinion) the most interesting in Byzantine History (and that's saying something) so many interesting events/personalities are crammed into his reign such as the Nika Riot, Empress Theodora, Belisarius and Smugling silk! Then there's the epic struggle between the Byzantine and Sassanid empires, culminating in the brilliant campaigns of Heraclius. my second choice would be the time of the Byzantine counter-offensive and apogee under such emperors as Nicephorus Phocas II ("pale death of the saracens"), John Tzimisces and Basil the II (Bulgar slayer) a great deal of military campaigns, political intrigues and Constantinople at its true peak. In other words I agree completely with Knights but just wanted to share my opinion and and the reasons why this is so.