The Secret History

The Secret History is a historical book written by Procopius of Caesarea, a Byzantine historian and scholar who lived in the 6th century AD. The book was written in Greek and was not intended for public consumption, as it contains scandalous and provocative information about the reign of Emperor Justinian I and his court.In the book, Procopius reveals the true character of Justinian I and his wife, Empress Theodora, as well as other members of the imperial court. He describes their excesses, corruption, and cruelty, painting a picture of a ruling class that was far from virtuous or just.The Secret History covers a wide range of topics, including the wars and conquests of Justinian I, the building of the Hagia Sophia, and the suppression of the Nika riots. It also delves into the personal lives of the emperor and empress, including their sexual exploits and their mistreatment of their subjects.Despite its scandalous content, The Secret History is considered an important historical document, providing valuable insights into the Byzantine Empire and the personalities of its rulers. It is also notable for its literary style, which is characterized by vivid descriptions, biting satire, and a sharp wit.Overall, The Secret History is a fascinating and controversial book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of Byzantine history. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the politics and culture of the ancient world.So Justinian and Theodora ascended the imperial throne three days before Easter, a time, indeed, when even making visits or greeting one's friends is forbidden. And not many days later Justin died of an illness, after a reign of nine years. Justinian was now sole monarch, together, of course, with Theodora.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

The last major ancient historian, Byzantine scholar PROCOPIUS OF CAESAREA (c. 500-565) traveled with the army of Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I as a military adviser, and published his accounts of the wars the emperor fought in his eight-volume History of the Wars.

But what was the real story of life with Justinian, his wife, Theodora, and Justinian's greatest general, Belisarius? Procopius' Secret History was so scandalous that he withheld it during his lifetime, and in fact, it was not published until 1623. In this 1927 translation by RICHARD ATWATER (1892-1998), considered the best available, Procopius gives us all the scoop on:

* how the great general Belisarius was hoodwinked by his wife * how Theodora humiliated the conqueror of Africa and Italy * how Justinian created a new law permitting him to marry a courtesan * Justinian and Theodora: fiends in human form * the deceptive affability and piety of a tyrant * what happened to those who fell out of favor with Theodora * and much more.

An enthralling read, this curio of ancient history will fascinate anyone interested in tales of royal intrigue.