The Secret History

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.

"Procopius was a trusted member of the Byzantine establishment whose official works glorify the deeds of the Emperor Justinian. Yet all the while, the dutiful scribe was working on a book that could never be published during his lifetime - The Secret History, a sustained assault exposing the horrific tyranny and corruption of the Emperor´s regime. Here, Justinian is a demon king capable of any evil deeds, while his wife, Empress Theodora, is a bloodthirsty monster of depravity and cruelty, and the celebrated general Belisarius is the foolish dupe of his scheming wife, Antonina. Magnificently vitriolic and startlingly original, The Secret History is a work of explosive energy, depicting holy Byzantium as a hell of murder and misrule." "This revised edition of G. A. Williamson´s lively translation includes an introduction by Peter Sarris discussing Procopius´ life and the versatility and craftsmanship of his writings. This volume also includes further reading, a chronology, a genealogy, maps and notes."