Procopius

The historian of Justinian's wars

c. AD 500 – c. AD 565

Greek Late Imperial

Procopius of Caesarea was born around 500 AD in Caesarea Maritima in Palestine. He was a trained lawyer who became legal advisor and secretary to Belisarius, the greatest general of Justinian.

His three surviving works present three radically different faces. The Wars (De Bellis) is a sober, Thucydidean narrative of Justinian's military campaigns — the most important historical source for the sixth century. The Buildings is a panegyric on Justinian's building programme. The Secret History (Historia Arcana) is an astonishing document of hatred: it depicts Justinian as a demon, Theodora as a monster, and Belisarius as a pathetic cuckold.

The contradictions between the three works have fascinated and troubled historians. Procopius was a brilliant writer in all three modes — respectful, flattering, and venomous.

Works (2)

1
De Bellis prose
Eight books on the wars of Justinian — against Persia, the Vandals, and the Goths. Procopius accompanied Belisarius on campaign and writes with the au...

8 books
7,240 lines
2
Historia Arcana prose
The Secret History. Procopius reveals what he dared not publish — Justinian as a demon, Theodora as a prostitute, Belisarius as a cuckold. The most sc...

30 books
1,019 lines

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