The Secret History

The Secret History offers a scathing critique of Emperor Justinian I and his court, revealing the author's disillusionment with their public personas and private lives. Procopius, once a loyal historian and companion to Belisarius, exposes the cruelty, corruption, and incompetence of Justinian, alongside the lascivious and manipulative nature of Empress Theodora. Through vivid anecdotes, the work uncovers the hidden motivations behind their actions, providing a stark contrast to the glorified images presented in official histories.