The Secret History · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Secret History by Procopius.

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Chapter 1
Foreword by the Historian
Procopius explains his shift from a formal chronicle of Roman wars to a secret history revealing the true, often scandalous, deeds of Justinian, Theodora, and Belisarius. He justifies his earlier omissions due to fear of spies and death, and now feels compelled to disclose the hidden motives and actions, hoping both to warn future generations and to show that tyrants face retribution.
Chapter 2
The Secret History
Procopius's secret chronicle exposes the corruption, hypocrisy, and tyranny of Justinian and Theodora's reign, detailing their abuses of power, moral decadence, and the suffering inflicted upon the Roman Empire.
Chapter 3
How the Great General Belisarius Was Hoodwinked by His Wife, Whose Lover Became a Monk
This chapter details the adulterous affair between Antonina, wife of the great general Belisarius, and Theodosius, a young Thracian whom Belisarius had adopted as a son. Despite being caught in the act, Belisarius is easily deceived by Antonina's lies. When a slave named Macedonia reveals the truth, Belisarius orders Theodosius killed, but the plan is betrayed by servants loyal to Antonina. Theodosius flees to Ephesus, but Antonina uses enchantments and caresses to convince Belisarius the charges are false. Theodosius returns, and Antonina brutally murders the witnesses. She later pressures Belisarius into killing Constantine for a remark against her. Eventually, Theodosius becomes a monk out of fear of exposure, but continues to secretly meet Antonina.
Chapter 4
II: How Belated Jealousy Affected Belisarius’s Military Judgment, to the Joy of the Enemy
Belisarius, consumed by jealousy over Antonina's affair with Theodosius, prioritizes personal vengeance over military duty. He takes Photius into his confidence, swears oaths of mutual loyalty, and plans to capture Theodosius. This obsession leads him to prematurely withdraw from the Persian campaign after capturing Sisauranum, failing to cross the Tigris and rescue Roman captives. Meanwhile, Chosroes, facing mutiny in Lazica, uses a letter from Theodora to Zaberganes to calm his troops and retreats unopposed, blaming Belisarius's absence for his safe return.
Chapter 5
III: Showing the Danger of Interfering with a Woman’s Intrigues, Especially When the Woman Is the Friend of an Empress
Theodora protects Antonina by hiding Theodosius in the palace and torturing Photius and Belisarius's friends. Photius escapes twice but is recaptured, eventually fleeing to Jerusalem. Belisarius fails in his campaign against Chosroes, and Theodora forces him to reconcile with Antonina. Theodosius dies of dysentery.

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Foreword by the Historian

The Secret History

How the Great General Belisarius Was Hoodwinked by His Wife, Whose Lover Became a Monk

II: How Belated Jealousy Affected Belisarius’s Military Judgment, to the Joy of the Enemy

III: Showing the Danger of Interfering with a Woman’s Intrigues, Especially When the Woman Is the Friend of an Empress