Anastasius I Dicorus

Anastasius I fought a six-year war against the Isaurians, who had been a powerful faction in the empire. The war ended with the defeat of the Isaurian rebels and the removal of their influence from Constantinople. This strengthened Anastasius's control and reduced internal instability.

Anastasius I abolished the chrysargyron, a hated tax on trade and commerce that was collected every four years. The tax was widely resented for its harsh collection methods. Its abolition was celebrated by the population and improved economic conditions in the empire.

Anastasius I implemented a major monetary reform, introducing the follis, a large copper coin, and standardizing the bronze coinage. This reform stabilized the Byzantine economy, improved trade, and left the imperial treasury with a substantial surplus at his death.

Anastasius I ordered the construction of the Anastasian Wall, a long defensive wall stretching across the Thracian peninsula to protect Constantinople from barbarian invasions. The wall was 56 kilometers long and fortified with towers and forts, though it was later abandoned as impractical.