Showing results for "procopius"

A scandalous and vengeful cult favorite of the Byzantine Empire.Procopius held a position of esteem in Justinian’s empire as an advisor to the military commander Belisarius. He even wrote the official histories of Justinian’s military conquests, lauding both the emperor and his commander. But secretly… Procopius hated them both, so he wrote Anecdota, later known as Secret History, in private.Published a thousand years after it was written,...

It will be evident that no more important or mightier deeds are to be found in history than those which have been enacted in these wars,—provided one wishes to base his judgment on the truth. For in them more remarkable feats have been performed than in any other wars with which we are acquainted; unless, indeed, any reader of this narrative should give the place of honour to antiquity, and consider contemporary achievements unworthy to be counted remarkable. There are those, for example, ...

Procopius, from Palaestina Prima, or modern-day Israel, is an important firsthand source for the history of the 6th century, especially concerning the Emperor Justinian. Procopius was an incredibly learned man, having received a classical education, possibly from the famed School of Gaza. He would become a legal adviser for Belisarius, Justinian's chief military commander and accompany him to the war front, an experience he would document in his "Wars of Justinian". The ancient scholar's m...

In "History of the Wars: The Gothic War," Procopius intricately weaves a narrative rich in detail and political intrigue, chronicling the protracted conflicts between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Goths during the 6th century. Written in a sophisticated prose style that reflects classical historiography, this work is notable for its vivid descriptions and critical perspectives, showcasing Procopius's dual role as both a court historian and an astute observer of the tumultuous events of ...

History of three wars from the reign of Justinian, Byzantine emperor -- The Persian War, The Vandalic War, and The Gothic War. According to Wikipedia: "Procopius of Caesarea (Latin: Procopius Caesarensis, c. AD 500 c. AD 565) was a prominent Byzantine scholar from Palestine. Accompanying the general Belisarius in the wars of the Emperor Justinian I, he became the principal historian of the 6th century, writing the Wars of Justinian, the Buildings of Justinian and the celebrated Secret Hist...

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 ...

I have thus described the fortunes of the Romans in their wars up to the present day, as far as possible assigning the description of events to their proper times and places. What follows will not be arranged with the same exactness, but everything shall be written down as it took place throughout the whole extent of the Roman empire. My reason for this is, that it would not have been expedient for me to describe these events fully while those who were their authors were still alive; for, ...

According to Wikipedia: "Procopius of Caesarea (Latin: Procopius Caesarensis, c. AD 500 c. AD 565) was a prominent Byzantine scholar from Palestine. Accompanying the general Belisarius in the wars of the Emperor Justinian I, he became the principal historian of the 6th century, writing the Wars of Justinian, the Buildings of Justinian and the celebrated Secret History. He is commonly held to be the last major historian of the ancient world."

Procopius' 'History of the Wars' is an insightful and detailed account of the wars fought on behalf of the Eastern Roman Empire during the 6th century. Written in a straightforward and factual style, Procopius provides a wealth of information about military campaigns, political intrigues, and the lives of important historical figures. His work is considered a primary source for historians studying this period of Byzantine history. The book offers a window into the society, politics, and wa...

A unique insight into the reign of the imperial couple Justinian and Theodora is presented. The private and public life of the emperors their deceit and destruction and its consequences are depicted. The book reveals secrets and gives voice to that age's common men. It is an essential landmark in the history of individual legal rights.

Books I and II of Procopius' History of the Wars recount Justinian's eastern campaigns against Sasanian Persia, from the reign of Anastasius through the uneasy "Eternal Peace" of 532. Combining military narrative, ethnographic observation, diplomatic analysis, and set-piece speeches in the classical historiographical manner, Procopius writes under the shadow of Thucydides and Herodotus while preserving the immediacy of an eyewitness close to command. His prose is lucid, severe, and often i...

Procopius'Äôs "Of the Buildings of Justinian" offers a compelling historical account that meticulously chronicles the architectural and urban achievements of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. Written in a prose style that is both descriptive and intricate, this work presents not merely a list of constructions but delves into the significance of these edifices in the context of Roman imperial aspirations. Procopius'Äôs text stands as a testament to the monumental legacy of Justinian'Äôs re...