Justinian was a great builder and a great leader. Maybe he did not succeed in what he dreamed of, but he shore did som great difference to the history!
Yes, Justinian weakened and overextended the state so much, that in nearly fell to the Persian in the next generation... until Heraclius rose and saved the empire.
Heraclius is a great omission in your list, btw. I settled with Basil II, as he was even more succesful. The other really succesful Byzantine Emperor was Alexios I Comnenus and in such a poll I would be obliged to include the names of John Comnenus and Nicephorus Phokas.
I'd have to go with Justinian largely because of his efforts in
rebuilding the Roman empire and how his general Belisarus was able to
return the favor to the Vandals (who sacked Rome under their king
Genseric and were able to maintain control of Carthage throughout his
reign). Though ultimately doomed, he did surround himself with
people like Belisarus that achieved much of what he wanted.
"There you go again!"
-- President Ronald W. Reagan (directed towards reporters at a White House press conference, mid-1980s)
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