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Justin was born about the year 450 in the province of Dardania which was part of the diocese of Dacia. Dacia, with Macedonia, made up the prefecture of Illyricum, an area that suffered under attacks by Huns and Ostrogoths. He was of peasant origin, born in a village in Naissus (modern Nis in South Serbia). As a teenager he fled the border warfare and took refuge in Constantinople where he joined the army.
He arrived in Constantinople at the time emperor Leo I was organizing a new corps of palace guards, the ''Excubitors''. Apparently showing great competence Justin rose to be the commander of the ''Excubitors'' at the time emperor Anastastius [[Flavius Anastasius|Anastasius]] died on [[July 8]], 518. Commanding the only forces in Constantinople at the time of Anastastius’ Anastasius’ death, and by spreading some gifts of money, Justin was able to win election as emperor and was presented to the people at the Hippodrome on [[July 9]].
On ascending the throne, and recognizing his lack of knowledge of statecraft, Justin surrounded himself with knowledgeable and trusted advisors. Among these was his nephew Flavius Petrus Sabbatius whom he adopted as his son with the name Iustinianus (Justinian). Throughout the reign of his adoptive father, Justinian worked closely with Justin in what came to appear as a seamless transition upon Justin’s death on [[August 1]], 527 although Justin formally named Justinian his co-emperor and successor on [[April 1]], 527, only four months before his death.
