The Works of Procopius: The Secret History and the Wars of Justinian

by Procopius

Overview

THE WORKS OF PROCOPIUS includes two important histories from late antiquity, THE SECRET HISTORY AND THE WARS OF JUSTINIAN. In THE SECRET HISTORY, Procopius exposes the private lives of Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great and his dancer-turned-wife and empress, Theodora. Written around 558, THE SECRET HISTORY portrays the emperor and his inner circle as cruel, incompetent, vicious, and corrupt. Unpublished during Procopius' lifetime, it was discovered in the Vatican Library and first published in 1623.

THE WARS OF JUSTINIAN is Procopius' most important work. Finished by the early 550s, the work discusses the wars of Justinian's reign against the Persians, Gothic, Vandals, the Nika Riots, and wars against other nations. Procopius witnessed the Nika Riots and was journeyed with Justinian's general Belisarius on several of his campaigns to recapture parts of the crumbling Roman Empire.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013492905
Publisher:	Halcyon Press Ltd.
Publication date:	11/18/2011
Series:	Halcyon Classics , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Procopius of Caesarea (c. 500-c.565 AD) was an important Byzantine historian, often considered to be the last historian from the ancient world. Procopius was an eyewitness to a number of important historical events, including the campaigns of Belisarius. He is also an important source of information on life in the 6th century and provides intimate detail of the lives of Justinian and his wife Theodora, as well as the Byzantine court. Born in Caesarea in modern Israel, Procopius received a classical education and became a barrister to Belisaurius.