02429cam a22003133u 4500 12916 UtSlPG 20260610133315.0 m cr n 260607r2004||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 DF Procopius The Secret History of the Court of Justinian Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2004 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2004-07-16 Produced by Ted Garvin, Project Manager; Keith M. Eckrich, Post-Processor; the PG Online Distributed Proofreaders Team "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.) Original publication data not identified Byzantine Empire -- History -- Justinian I, 527-565 Justinian I, Emperor of the East, 483?-565 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12916 54310 54310