Procopio de Cesarea es venerado como el historiador preeminente de las guerras del emperador Justiniano, un cronista cuyos relatos detallados ofrecen una visión sin precedentes de una era crucial. Su experiencia personal acompañando al general Belisario le proporcionó un conocimiento íntimo de las campañas militares y las intrigas políticas. A través de su servicio, adquirió una profunda comprensión de los eventos que documentaría más tarde. Procopio es reconocido como el más grande de los historiadores griegos tardíos, y su obra sigue siendo un recurso esencial para comprender la antigüedad tardía.
Set against the backdrop of the 6th century Byzantine Empire, the narrative provides a critical view of Emperor Justinian I's reign, contrasting with Procopius' more flattering accounts. As an advisor to General Belisarius, Procopius reveals the political intrigues, power struggles, and corruption within the imperial court. This work exposes the darker aspects of this historical period, showcasing scandals that affected key figures and inviting readers to explore the complexities of Byzantine politics and society during a transformative era.
Procopius of Caesarea (c. 500-c. 565) was a prominent Eastern Roman scholar of the family Procopius. He is commonly held to be the last major ancient historian. The writings of Procopius are the primary source of information for the rule of the Roman emperor Justinian. He was the author of a history in eight books of the wars fought by Justinian I, a panegyric on Justinian's public works throughout the empire, and a book known as The Secret History of the Court of Justinian that claims to report the scandals that Procopius could not include in his published history. Although it is not as famous as The Secret History of the Court of Justinian, Procopius' History of the Wars is clearly his most important work. The first seven books, which were published as a unit, seem to have been largely completed by 545, but were updated to mid-century before publication, for the latest event mentioned belongs to early 551. Later, Procopius added an eighth book which brings the history to 552/553, when a Roman army led by the eunuch Narses finally destroyed the Ostrogothic kingdom.
Jetzt beim Akademie Verlag: Sammlung Tusculum - die berühmte zweisprachige Bibliothek der Antike! Die 1923 gegründete Sammlung Tusculum umfasst ca. 200 klassische Werke der griechischen und lateinischen Literatur des Altertums und bildet damit das Fundament der abendländischen Geistesgeschichte ab. Die Werke Ciceros, Ovids und Horaz’ gehören ebenso zum Programm wie die philosophischen Schriften Platons, die Dramen des Sophokles oder die enzyklopädische Naturgeschichte des Plinius. Die Reihe bietet die weltliterarisch bedeutenden Originaltexte zusammen mit exzellenten deutschen Übersetzungen und kurzen Sachkommentaren. Von renommierten Altphilologen betreut, präsentiert Tusculum zuverlässige Standardausgaben mit klassischer Einbandgestaltung für Wissenschaftler und Bibliotheken, Studenten und Lehrer sowie das allgemeine Publikum mit Interesse an antiker Dichtung und Philosophie. Der Name der Reihe geht auf die ehemalige Stadt Tusculum in Latium zurück, in der Cicero eine Villa besaß, die ihm als Refugium diente und in der er die Tuskulanen verfasste. Neben der hochwertig ausgestatteten Hauptreihe erscheinen in der Serie Tusculum Studienausgaben einschlägige Texte für Universität und Schule im Taschenbuch. Im Akademie Verlag startet die Reihe 2011 mit sieben wichtigen Neuerscheinungen.
Focusing on the life and works of Procopius, this book explores his significance as the last major ancient historian of Eastern Rome. It highlights his primary role as a source for understanding Emperor Justinian's reign through his comprehensive writings, including an eight-book account of the Gothic Wars and a detailed examination of Justinian's public works. Notably, the "Secret History" reveals scandals and controversies omitted from official narratives, offering a unique perspective on the period.
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.
History of the Wars by the Byzantine historian Procopius (late fifth century
to after 558 CE) consists largely of sixth century CE military history, with
much information about peoples, places, and special events. Powerful
description complements careful narration. Procopius is just to the empire s
enemies and boldly criticises emperor Justinian.
