The Byzantine Empire reached its greatest extent under Justinian
I in 555 A.D. When Justinian began his reign, the empire included
the Balkans, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Northern Mesopotamia, Syria,
Palestine, and Egypt. Under his generals Belisarius and Narses,
Justinian reconquered North Africa, Dalmatia, Italy, Sicily,
Sardinia, Corsica, and the southern half of Spain.