The Secret History of the Court of Justinian by Procopius
QR code
"The Secret History of the Court of Justinian" by Procopius is a historical account likely written in the 6th century. This work offers a revealing and scandalous look into the reign of Emperor Justinian I and his wife, Theodora, as well as the intrigues of the Byzantine court, encapsulating its political machinations and personal scandals. The author, Procopius, having served under Justinian's general Belisarius, provides a critical perspective on the events and
characters of this tumultuous era. The opening of the text sets the stage for a deep dive into the Byzantine court's dark and often sordid dynamics. Procopius introduces himself and outlines his dual role as a historian—one who has previously documented the wars and triumphs of the empire while now intending to expose the hidden corruptions and atrocities committed by its leaders. He sketches the character of key figures like Justinian, portrayed as an inept tyrant, and Theodora, depicted as a cunning manipulator, alongside other notable figures caught in a web of deceit, such as Belisarius and his wife Antonina. The beginning establishes a narrative tone that blends personal accounts with a broader critique of the political state of the empire, hinting at the chaos that ensues from the blend of ambition, desire, and treachery within the imperial household. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
Kindle → Use Send-to-Kindle
Kobo, Nook etc → Transfer via USB
Phone, tablet or computer → Open in a reading app
Other formats & older devices
There may be more files related to this item.
About this eBook
| Author | Procopius |
|---|---|
| Title | The Secret History of the Court of Justinian |
| Credits | Produced by Ted Garvin, Project Manager; Keith M. Eckrich, Post-Processor; the PG Online Distributed Proofreaders Team |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 46.2 (College-level). Difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | DF: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Greece |
| Subject | Byzantine Empire -- History -- Justinian I, 527-565 |
| Subject | Justinian I, Emperor of the East, 483?-565 |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 12916 |
| Release Date | Jul 16, 2004 |
| Last Update | Oct 28, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1026 downloads in the last 30 days. |
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!