 Justinian 's religious policy reflected the Imperial conviction that the unity of the Empire presupposed unity of faith , and it appeared to him obvious that this faith could only be the orthodox ( Nicaean ) . Those of a different belief were subjected to persecution , which imperial legislation had effected from the time of Constantius II and which would now vigorously continue . The Codex contained two statutes that decreed the total destruction of paganism , even in private life ; these provisions were zealously enforced . Contemporary sources ( John Malalas , Theophanes , John of Ephesus ) tell of severe persecutions , even of men in high position . In 529 , the Neoplatonic Academy of Athens was placed under state control as paganism , strangling this training school for this branch of Hellenistic philosophy .. 
