Justinian was an outsider who became the ultimate insider thanks to family connections and steely political acumen. During the decade of his uncle’s rule, Justinian patiently and persistently elevated himself in power and dignity. He collected titles and honors, wooed supporters, strengthened his network, and initiated building projects. Already at the inception of his reign in 527 he articulated a competitive desire to outshine and elevate himself above his imperial predecessors. Encountering the Theodosian city must have convinced Justinian of the significance of Constantinople’s spaces of display and public stages for the commemoration of power. His intense competition for glory began before he ascended to the throne. The church of SS. Sergius and Bacchus foreshadowed his crowning achievements – Hagia Sophia and his triumphal column. These would transcend his lifespan, keep generations spellbound, and exercise powerful agency far beyond the boundaries of the empire.