Page "Justinian I" Paragraph 15

Theodora would become very influential in the politics of the Empire, and later emperors would follow Justinian's precedent in marrying outside the aristocratic class.

The marriage caused a scandal, but Theodora would prove to be very intelligent, " street smart ", a good judge of character and Justinian's greatest supporter.

Other talented individuals included Tribonian, his legal adviser ; Peter the Patrician, the diplomat and longtime head of the palace bureaucracy ; his finance ministers John the Cappadocian and Peter Barsymes, who managed to collect taxes more efficiently than any before, thereby funding Justinian's wars ; and finally, his prodigiously talented generals Belisarius and Narses.