The Secret History of Procopius (Historical Texts Series)

The Secret History of Procopius, translated by Richard Atwater, is one of the most startling and revealing works to survive from the Byzantine era. Written by the historian Procopius, who also authored official accounts of Emperor Justinian's reign, this "secret" chronicle offers a shocking contrast to his public works. In it, Procopius exposes the darker side of the imperial court-depicting Justinian as a tyrant driven by greed and cruelty, and his wife, Empress Theodora, as ruthless, ambitious, and manipulative. Through scandalous anecdotes and biting commentary, the text unveils the corruption, hypocrisy, and intrigue that lay beneath the polished image of the Byzantine Empire's golden age. Atwater's translation preserves the intensity and irony of Procopius's voice, giving modern readers access to one of history's earliest and most fearless exposés. Beyond its sensational tales, The Secret History provides a rare glimpse into the tensions between public propaganda and private truth, power and morality. It challenges the idea of imperial perfection and reveals how history can be shaped by both reverence and resentment. A bold and unsettling work, The Secret History of Procopius remains an essential document for understanding the complexities and contradictions of the Byzantine world.