<p>> Justinian (and Theodora) never actually set foot there</p><p>No, but they ruled later, during the 6th century, when Constantinople was the only capital.<br />Justinian I expended huge resources trying to regain as much of the West he could.<br />According to modern historians, that was ruinous for the Empire; I don't know whether there is consensus on this, but in all cases the history is very instructive.</p><p>At the time these mosaics were made, most of Italy was under the control of Constantinople.</p><p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@shriramk" class="u-url mention">@<span>shriramk</span></a></span></p>
