The Secret History - Softcover

Procopius Caesariensis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140441824 ISBN 13: 9780140441826

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 1981

Synopsis

A trusted member of the Byzantine establishment, Procopius was the Empire's official chronicler, and his History of the Wars of Justinian proclaimed the strength and wisdom of the Emperor's reign. Yet all the while the dutiful scribe was working on a very different - and dangerous - history to be published only once its author was safely in his grave. The Secret History portrays the 'great lawgiver' Justinian as a rampant king of corruption and tyranny, the Empress Theodora as a sorceress and whore, and the brilliant general Belisarius as the pliable dupe of his scheming wife Antonina. Magnificently hyperbolic and highly opinionated, The Secret History is a work of explosive energy, depicting holy Byzantium as a hell of murder and misrule.

About this title

About the Author:

Very little is known about Procopius. He was born in Palestine around AD 500 and fought for the Byzantine Empire in Persia, Africa and Italy.
G.A. Williamson has translated Eusebius and Josephus for the Penguin Classics.

Synopsis:

A first century Byzantine historian offers portraits of the emperor Justinian, the empress Theodora, and the brilliant general Belisarius, describing the injustices of Justinian's reign.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 1981
• ISBN 10: 0140441824
• ISBN 13: 9780140441826
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176