Book a secret history procopius anecdota

Harvard university press, 1935, vol vi of the seven volume loeb translation, which includes the buildings and the wars in parallel greek and english texts. The ancient scholars most famous work however is the secret history, which tells a more intimate and revealing history of emperor justinian and his wife, empress theodora, as well as belisarius, and his wife antonina. The secret historyintroduction wikisource, the free. It was the intention of procopius to write a book on the subject of the doctrines of christianity and the long and often bitter debates in the course of which these were formulated, as definitely stated in chap. Like thucydides and athens, the name of procopius is inextricably linked with constantinople. The secret history of the court of justinian by procopius free ebook. I have the opportunity to tour istanbul this fall, so i read procopius secret history as a start toward getting grounded in the history of the area. In this case book 5 and part of book 6 of the work called the wars.

The secret history of the court of justinian by procopius free ebook project gutenberg. Procopius, born at caesarea in palestine late in th. Procopius of caesarea was a prominent byzantine scholar from palestine. Procopius was an ancient byzantine writer, contemporaneous with the emperor couple. People tend not to appreciate procopius as much as i think they should. The main characters described by procopius are the emperor justinian, the emperess theodora, the general belisarius, and his wife antonia. The secret history quotes showing 12 of 2 for the miserable find comfort in the philosophy that not on them alone has evil fallen. The text was written in the 32nd year of justinian, which various. Procopius, the anecdota or secret history loeb classical library. Includes indexes accessrestricteditem true addeddate. Procopius s pen is particularly sharp in portraying theodoras lewdness. The loeb classical library edition of procopius is in seven volumes. This site transcribes the english translation of procopius work by henry bronson dewing as printed in vol.

Parts are so vitriolic, not to say pornographic, that for some time. Secret history internet history sourcebooks fordham university. His history of the wars of the emperor justinian and his general belisarius is our primary source and often our only source for events during the middle. For a long time procopius anecdota or secret history so. Other works by procopius are the anecdota or secret history vehement attacks on justinian, theodora, and others. Procopiuss now famous anecdota also known as secret history. In secret history, the byzantine historian procopius late fifth century to after 558 ce. Other works by procopius are the anecdota or secret history. Church considers justinian a saint, so youll either love or hate this book.

This fascinating document of imperialism is brutal in its honesty, often portraying its subjects in an unflattering light. In this case the section is about the start of the gothic war. The secret history was written by procopius, but not published in the west until about a millennium after it was written. The secret history was written by procopius, and emperor. Accompanying the general belisarius in the wars of the emperor justinian i. For me, by far the most interesting thing about the anecdota or secret history is that it exists at all. Secret history, translated by richard atwater, new york. As it was a venomous pamphlet of dubious merit, the secret history is hardly a reliable historical source. The anecdota or secret history loeb classical library, no. Internet archive contributor internet archive language english. The original title of this work was anecdota, which means as far as i can tell things not. A trusted member of the byzantine establishment, procopius was the empires official chronicler, and his history of the wars of justinian proclaimed the strength and wisdom of the emperors reign. The secret history of the court of justinian by procopius. The secret history purports to be a supplement to the wars, containing explanations and additions that the author could not insert into the latter work for fear of justinian and theodora.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. Procopiuss history of the wars in 8 books recounts the persian wars of emperors justinus and justinian down to 550 2 books. The story of the three wars against the persians, the vandals and the goths had almost been completed when the author, in seeming disgust, decided to regale a safely removed future age with the backstage gossip that had been current while justinian and theodora. The anecdota, or secret history, is undoubtedly the most colourful contemporary source of byzantine history. The secret history of procopius is a strange companion for the histories and the buildings by the same author. A trusted member of the byzantine establishment, procopius was the empires official chronicler, and his history of the wars of justinian proclaimed the.

Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Wars 8 books, buildings 6 books, and secret history. This text flays justinian and theodora as corrupt, immoral, and just plain evil. The secret history of procopius index sacred texts. He wrote a number of official histories, including on the wars in eight books polemon. 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. His book anecdota gives a crushing verdict to the reign. Gordon for a long time procopius anecdota or secret history so offended the moral susceptibilities of scholars, and particularly those who revered justinian for his judicial publications, that attempts were made to deny that it could be the work of procopius or of any other. It was proving to be more gruesome than game of thrones we already had a man flayed and his skin turned into a bag which was hung of a tree with chaff inside. In secret history, the byzantine historian procopius late fifth century to after 558 ce attacks the sixth century ce emperor justinian and empress theodora and alleges their ruinous effect on the roman empire. The original title of this work was anecdota, which means as far as i can tell things not given over, withheld. The secret history of procopius is a strange companion for the. The text was written in the 32nd year of justinian, which various scholars translate as between 524 and 550 dewing.

It is a vehement invective against these sovereigns, with attacks on belisarius and his wife. Secret history 6 by procopius 1935, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Other works by procopius are the history of the wars in 8 books here. Procopius of caesarea was a prominent late antique byzantine greek. Procopius, byzantine historian whose works are an indispensable source for his period and contain much geographical information. The secret history by procopius 2007, paperback, revised. The anecdota or secret history procopius harvard university. Vol 3 of the haurywirth version contains the secret history. Etermining when procopius of caesarea wrote his various works, the two installments of the. Confusing doesnt describe the book but the fact it is not listed as volume 3 of the loeb translation of the works of procopius. He is just to the empires enemies and boldly criticises emperor justinian. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. He wrote a number of official histories, including the buildings and on the wars. Lacuscurtius the anecdota of procopius introduction.