What did Procopius say about Theodora?
Her early days working in the circus as an actor are vividly portrayed; Procopius tells how Theodora was a prostitute in every possible way, who would even accept slaves as clients.
What did Procopius say about Justinian?
Procopius, in his Anecdota (better known as Secret History), condemns Justinian I’s reign as unjust and capricious, claiming he was controlled by his passions – and his wife Theodora – and strongly suggests God was displeased with him.
Is Procopius a reliable source?
Another respected scholar (Kaegi, “Procopius the Military Historian”, 67) insists that, despite his borrowings from Thucydides, Procopius remains the best and most reliable Byzantine military historian.
When was Procopius History of the Wars written?
His works were written in the middle of the 6th Century during the reign of Justinian when the Empire was once again on the rise. His books are about the wars to reconquer the Western Empire which had fallen in 476.
Why did Procopius not like Theodora?
Procopius, a high official, historian, and contemporary of Theodora, greatly disapproved of Theodora’s personality and background – she was smart and ruthless, and in her early life a prostitute and actress – blaming her for political and financial upheaval. Foss describes her as “less than saintly”.
Who was Procopius and why is he significant?
Procopius, (born probably between 490 and 507, Caesarea, Palestine [now in Israel]—died c. 565), Byzantine historian whose works are an indispensable source for his period and contain much geographical information.
Who was Procopius and why is he writing the Secret History?
The present translation by Richard Attwater is the only one to stand as a work of literature in its own right. Procopius was the greatest historian of the Later Roman Empire. He was the author of an account of the Persian, Vandal, and Gothic Wars called The History of the Wars, and of Buildings of Justinian.
Why did Procopius write about Justinian?
Procopius can be seen as depicting Justinian as essentially God’s vicegerent, making the case for buildings being a primarily religious panegyric. Procopius indicates that he planned to write an ecclesiastical history himself and, if he had, he would probably have followed the rules of that genre.
Was Procopius Pagan?
Bury, called him “at core, in the essence of his spirit, a pagan.”5 Others have labelled him variously a theist, a deist, or an agnostic with a fatalist outlook, attached to the philosophy of Pyrrho, or, to give modern examples, Spencer and Huxley.
Is the Secret History by Procopius true?
It is a vehement invective against these sovereigns, with attacks on Belisarius and his wife, Antonina, and on other noted officials. Owing to the ferocity of the attacks upon Justinian, the authenticity of the Secret History was questioned, but Procopius’s authorship is now generally recognized.
Why did Procopius think Justinian was a demon?
According to Procopius, the emperor Justinian who ruled the eastern Roman Empire in the 6th century was demonic in his cruelty – determined to do whatever it took to rebuild the empire – “yet in rebuilding it, he was destroying it.”
Why did Procopius write the history of Justinian?
What did Procopius do?
The Byzantine historian Procopius of Caesarea (ca. 500-ca. 565), the last of the great classical Greek historians, was an eyewitness to, and prime reporter of, events in the reign of Emperor Justinian I.
What can we infer from the fact that Procopius wrote the Secret History in addition to his glowing accounts of Justinian’s achievements?
What can we infer from the fact that Procopius wrote the Secret History, in addition to his glowing accounts of Justinian’s achievements? Procopius had opinions about Justinian that would have made the emperor furious if he knew.
Why did Procopius keep his secret history secret?
In fact, the Secret History was probably written because he could not openly criticize the Emperor. [11] Procopius may give some clues as to how to interpret his discussion of Justinian. On one hand, his desire is obvious and explicitly stated – to show what a horrible Emperor Justinian was.
What was the purpose of the Secret History by Procopius?
On the other hand, it has been argued that Procopius prepared the Secret History as an exaggerated document out of fear that a conspiracy might overthrow Justinian’s regime, which—as a kind of court historian—might be reckoned to include him.
Why did Procopius keep his Secret History secret?
Why is Procopius Secret History important?
Procopius of Caesarea (in Palestine) [born c. 490/507- died c. 560s] is the most important source for information about the reign of the emperor Justinian [born 482/3, ruled.
What made Constantinople so easy to defend?
What made Constantinople easy to defend? It was surrounded on three sides by water.
Why was Constantinople called the wonder of the world?
Constantinople was the wealthiest, most powerful, and most beautiful city in the world of Justinian’s day. It was rightly called “the wonder of the world.” Like Rome, Constantinople had majestic palaces, public buildings and baths, aqueducts, and bridges.