How did Justinian bring back the Roman Empire?

Short Answer: He Didn't When Justinian ascended the throne the Byzantine/Eastern Roman Empire was the last remaining citadel of Roman values and traditions. read more

Justinian still held on to the idea of a grand Roman Empire, wishing to bring back the glory to the fallen empire, and become an Augustus, an emperor over the entire Roman Empire. Thus began the grace period of the 530s, where Justinian successfully invaded and conquered several kingdoms like the Ostrogoths and the Vandals. read more

The war effort to take back the western part of the empire forced Justinian to raise taxes on the people of the Byzantine Empire. The Roman citizens were angry with Justinian about the high taxes for the war effort, and he was becoming unpopular. read more