Definition: The Excubitors (excubitores) were a palace guard corps, organized by the Emperor Leo to counterbalance the influence of Germans in the imperial army. Although the imperial guard is not well understood, the excubitors are significant because it is ithrough them (indirectly) that the important emperor Justinian was able to come to power.
Emperor Justin and the Excubitores
Justinian's uncle Justin (and two other Illyrians from Macedonia)
migrated to Constantinople where they were enrolled by Justin in the Excubitors. Under the emperor Anastasius, Justin rose through the ranks to become the commander of the Excubitors. When Anastasius died childless, Justin was able to take over as emperor.
Justin's Successor
The emperor Justin was also childless, but since he had brought his family from Macedonia to Constantinople, the succession was kept within the family. Justinian succeeded his uncle Justin as emperor.
Source (and for more information): "Justinian and the Historian Procopius," by J.A.S. Evans Greece and Rome 2nd Series Vol 17 No 2 p.218.
