Search
Log in
  • Home

  • Categories

  • Audiobooks

  • E-books

  • For kids

  • Top lists

  • Help

  • Download app

  • Use campaign code

  • Redeem gift card

  • Try free now
  • Log in
  • Language

    🇫🇮 Suomi

    • FI
    • EN

    🇧🇪 Belgique

    • FR
    • EN

    🇩🇰 Danmark

    • DK
    • EN

    🇩🇪 Deutschland

    • DE
    • EN

    🇪🇸 España

    • ES
    • EN

    🇫🇷 France

    • FR
    • EN

    🇳🇱 Nederland

    • NL
    • EN

    🇳🇴 Norge

    • NO
    • EN

    🇦🇹 Österreich

    • AT
    • EN

    🇨🇭 Schweiz

    • DE
    • EN

    🇸🇪 Sverige

    • SE
    • EN
  1. Books
  2. Nonfiction
  3. History

Read and listen for free for 42 days!

Cancel anytime

Try free now
0.0(0)

The Secret History or The Anecdota

Procopius's 'The Secret History,' or 'The Anecdota,' stands as a trenchant exploration into the alluring underbelly of the Byzantine Empire during Emperor Justinian's reign, unmasking the iniquities concealed beneath the visage of imperial splendor. Diverging from the august depictions typical in contemporary historical accounts, Procopius delivers a caustic narrative rife with scandal and intrigue. His vitriolic prose, crafted with a style that oscillates between venomous condemnation and sardonic wit, creates a literary juxtaposition that vividly contrasts with his previous works on the same era. Skillfully weaving a tapestry of courtly vices, the book is emblematic of the perennial tension between public record and private reality, offering a unique window into the literary style of historical revisionism in antiquity.

Procopius himself, beyond being just a historian, was an entrenched participant in the Byzantine political arena, having served as the legal advisor and principal secretary to General Belisarius, Justinian's head military commander. His proximity to the epicenter of power granted him an unobstructed view into the imperial machinations, undoubtedly informing his sardonic exposé. The revelations within 'The Secret History'—whether exaggerated for dramatic effect or starkly truthful—crystallize Procopius's disillusionment with the administration he once served, translating his lived experience into an enduring work of historical criticism.

'The Secret History' is highly recommended to those intrigued by the convoluted undercurrents of power and the dichotomy of public and private personas among rulers. It appeals to enthusiasts of Byzantine studies, students of historical revisionism, and readers seeking an unvarnished account that challenges the sanitization of history. Procopius's candor and literary finesse make this text an essential read for understanding the complexities of governance and morality within one of history's most enigmatic empires.


Author:

  • Procopius

Format:

  • E-book

Duration:

  • 109 pages

Language:

English

Categories:

  • Nonfiction
  • History
  • Nonfiction
  • Climate, nature, and animals

More by Procopius

Skip the list
  1. History of the Wars (Books I & II)

    Procopius

    book
  2. The Secret History

    Procopius

    audiobook
  3. The Secret History or The Anecdota

    Procopius

    book
  4. History of the Wars by Procopius

    Procopius

    book
  5. The Secret History of the Court of Justinian

    Procopius

    book

Others have also read

Skip the list
  1. The Artist, the Philosopher, and the Warrior

    Paul Strathern

    audiobook
  2. Learn How to Survive in Fallout Shelter

    Game Ultımate

    book
  3. The American Way : A True Story of Nazi Escape, Superman, and Marilyn Monroe

    Helene Stapinski, Bonnie Siegler

    audiobookbook
  4. Black Liberation Through the Marketplace

    Marcus M. Witcher, Rachel S. Ferguson

    audiobook
  5. From Genghis Khan to Tamerlane

    Peter Jackson

    audiobook
  6. A History of Ancient Sparta

    Timothy B. Shutt

    audiobook
  7. The Believer: A Year in the Fly Fishing Life

    David Coggins

    audiobook
  8. Effective Copywriting Techniques : The Ads That Sell

    Anthony Ekanem

    book
  9. Killer Copywriting Reloaded : The Advanced Guide on How to Write Copy That Sells

    William Swain

    audiobook
  10. Your Next Five Moves : Master the Art of Business Strategy

    Patrick Bet-David

    audiobookbook
  11. The Five Rings: Miyamoto Musashi's Art of Strategy (Prometheus Classics)

    Miyamoto Musashi, Prometheus Classics

    book
  12. Sparta

    Philip Matyszak

    audiobook

Help and contact


About us

  • Our story
  • Career
  • Press
  • Accessibility
  • Partner with us
  • Investor relations
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Explore

  • Categories
  • Audiobooks
  • E-books
  • Magazines
  • For kids
  • Top lists

Popular categories

  • Crime
  • Biographies and reportage
  • Fiction
  • Feel-good and romance
  • Personal development
  • Children's books
  • True stories
  • Sleep and relaxation

Nextory

Copyright © 2025 Nextory AB

Privacy Policy · Terms ·
Excellent4.3 out of 5