The Secret History

Procopius, Peter Sarris, G. Williamson

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English

Penguin
15 January 2008

Literature, Poetry & Criticism; Literary essays; European history; Ancient history: to c 500 CE; Penguin Black Classics

This edition contains a revision of the existing translation, revision of chronology and genealogy, and a new introduction of 4-6000 words, new notes and a new selection of further reading

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.

By: Procopius
Edited by: Peter Sarris
Translated by: G. Williamson
Imprint: Penguin
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 130mm, Spine: 11mm
Weight: 136g
ISBN: 9780140455281
ISBN 10: 0140455280
Pages: 176
Publication Date: 15 January 2008
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Very little is known about Procopius. He was born in Palestine around AD 500 and fought for the Byzantine Empire in Persia, Africa and Italy. G. A. Williamson (1895-1982) also translated Josephus: The Jewish Wars (1959) and Eusebius: The History of the Church (1965) for Penguin Classics. Peter Sarris is a University Lecturer in Early Medieval History and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.