Procopius
Procopius was a prominent historian born around 500 CE in Caesarea, within the eastern portion of the Roman Empire. Educated as a rhetor and sophist, he was well-versed in Greek literature and rhetoric, likely receiving a classical education typical of the upper class. He served as a legal advisor to the renowned military commander Flavius Belisarius during the reign of Emperor Justinian, witnessing significant historical events, including the Nika riots and various military campaigns throughout the empire. Procopius is best known for his work "Wars of Justinian," a comprehensive series that details military operations and challenges faced by the empire, which remains a vital resource for historians studying this period.
In addition to "Wars of Justinian," Procopius authored "Secret History," a controversial account that offers a critical view of Justinian and his wife, Theodora, revealing an unflattering picture of their leadership. His final work, "Buildings of Justinian," documents the emperor's construction endeavors but has raised questions about its accuracy, suggesting potential collaboration with Justinian himself. Although the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, Procopius' writings have had a lasting impact on the understanding of Byzantine history and governance.
Procopius
Author, historian
- Born: c. 500 CE
- Birthplace: Place of birth: Caesarea, Eastern Roman Empire
- Died: c. 560 CE
- Place of death: Place of death: unknown
Significance:Procopius, who was in the employ of the chief military advisor for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (c. 482 – 565), is considered the premier source of historical information on Justinian’s reign.
Background
Procopius was born around the year 500 CE in Caesarea in the province of Palaestina Prima in what was then the eastern portion of the Roman Empire. Little is known of his early life; in fact, most of what is known about him is derived from his own writings and a large volume of Byzantine history written in the tenth century called the Suda. He is not related to the fourth century saint and martyr Procopius, who died in Caesarea Maritima in 303.
In the terminology of his time, Procopius was trained as a rhetor and sophist, or a speaker and teacher who specializes in philosophy and persuasive discussions. He most likely received the education typical of the upper class in the region, which meant he studied the classic literature of Greece as well as the techniques of rhetoric. His writings indicate that he also studied Latin. Later, he may have attended a law school, such as the ones that were located in what is now Beirut, Lebanon, or Constantinople because he spent his adult life as a barrister, or a legal counsel, for government officials.
When Justinian became the Eastern Roman Emperor in 527, he secured the services of Flavius Belisarius (c. 500 or 505 – 565) as his military commander. Belisarius, who had been part of Justinian’s personal protection force, was made general when he was only about 25 years old. Upon his appointment, he made Procopius his legal advisor, a position he held for about fifteen years.
Life’s Work
During his service to Justinian’s top military leader, Procopius was present at or near the scene of all military activity in which Belisarius participated in along the eastern portion of the large empire. He also witnessed a number of other events of historical significance to Justinian and the empire he ruled.
One of the first of these was the Nika riots in the Hippodrome, a large sporting arena that hosted chariot races and other events in the early part of the year 532. When fans of two competing factions in a chariot race turned their aggression toward the emperor, Belisarius and another general were forced to quell a mob that attacked the palace and nearly drove Justinian into exile. Procopius wrote about this in his book History of Wars, which is part of his seven-book series Wars of Justinian, compiled about 545. This large series appears to have been revised at least once between that date and 551 before it was formally published a short time later.
The Wars of Justinian series also included volumes that recounted Belisarius’ victory against the vandals in Northern Africa in 533, as well as the general’s efforts to regain control of Italy from the Ostrogoths, which included the Byzantine resistance to the sieges of Rome and Naples.
In 544, Belisarius returned to Italy when the battle between the emperor’s forces and the Goths reignited, but Procopius’ writings about this time period seem to indicate that he was no longer the general’s advisor. Procopius would later write the eighth volume of the empire’s history, published after the first seven and including events as late as 552 or 553.
While the Wars of Justinian is likely Procopius’ most historically relevant work, Secret History is his most famous. This work covers most of the same time period as its more formal predecessor, Wars of Justinian, but Secret History is believed to have been written sometime after Wars, perhaps as late as 562. In it, Procopius provides what amounts to a behind-the-scenes look at the government and does not portray Justinian or his wife, Theodora (c. 500 – 548), in a flattering light.
According to Secret History, Justinian was a mean-spirited, inadequate leader, and his wife was immoral and domineering. Most historians take this book as an indication that Procopius neither liked nor approved of the Emperor and his wife and sought to privately discredit them. Secret History was not widely published during Procopius’ lifetime, although it is mentioned in the Suda. The full text was found in the Vatican Library and published in 1623.
Procopius also wrote Buildings of Justinian, which catalogs the Emperor’s construction projects. Historians scrutinizing this work have discovered some discrepancies between it and other sources from the same time period. There is some indication that Procopius wrote this with Justinian’s input. For example, the book includes a section praising the beauty of Theodora, who had died by the time it was written. Scholars believe that, for some reason, Justinian wanted this incorrect information in the book.
The date and place of Procopius’ death is unknown. He may have died as early as 554, but some believe he may have been made a prefect and could be the same prefect who oversaw a conspiracy against Belisarius in 562.
Impact
Procopius’ eight-volume Wars of Justinian is considered one of the most historically significant sources of information available to scholars about the reign of Justinian and the forces that sought to conquer him. In addition, if taken at face value, his Secret History provides a unique glimpse into the life and practices of the ruling class during the Byzantine Empire.
Bibliography
Cantor, Norman F. The Civilization of the Middle Ages. New York: Harper Perennial, 1994, 128 -129. Print.
Halsall, Paul. "Introduction--Medieval Sourcebook: Procopius of Caesarea: The Secret History." Fordham University, n.d.. Web. 18 June 2016.
Hollister, C. Warren and Judith M. Bennett. Medieval Europe: A Short History, 9th Edition. New York: McGraw Hill, 2002. 57 – 59. Print.
Kaldellis, Anthony..Procopius of Caesarea: Tyranny, History, and Philosophy at the End of Antiquity. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2004. Web. 18 Jun. 2016. Procopius. On Buildings. General Index. Translated by H. B. Dewing, Glanville Downey. Classical Library 343. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1940. Web. 18 June 2016.
"Procopius on the Slavs." University of Florida, n.d. Web. 18 June 2016.
"Procopius." Suda Online: A Byzantine Lexicography. Web. 18 June 2016.