# Peter Barsyames — The Secret History character guide

> Peter Barsyames in The Secret History by Procopius.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Peter, Barsyames

**First appearance:** 0002-the-secret-history

## Snapshot

A plundering treasurer whom Theodora adores for his cruelty, sorcery, and talent for robbing the poor on the emperor's behalf.

## Who they are

Peter survives Justinian's attempt to dismiss him only because Theodora prizes his wickedness and his devotion to magicians and demons. Promoted to chief of the treasurers over the gentle John, he embezzles the dole set aside for the poor and debases the coinage, sharing the take with the emperor. He embodies how the regime rewards its worst servants, and his career shows the reader exactly how corruption travels from the throne down to the beggar's bowl.

## Relationships

### [Theodora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/characters/theodora)

_professional_

Peter Barsyames is a corrupt official and treasurer who serves as Theodora's loyal and ruthless instrument.

## In the story

### [XVI: What Happened to Those Who Fell Out of Favor with Theodora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xvi-what-happened-to-those-who-fell-out-of-favor-with-theodora)

Sent as ambassador to Italy, he persuades Theodatus to kill Amalasuntha and is rewarded with the rank of Master of Offices.

### [XXII: Further Corruption in High Places](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxii-further-corruption-in-high-places)

Syrian banker turned pretorian guard, appointed to high office for his thievery and cruelty, sells offices and embezzles grain funds.

### [XXIII: How Landowners Were Ruined](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxiii-how-landowners-were-ruined)

Cited as one who dared the outrage of 'cooperative buying' along with the Cappadocian and successors.

### [XXIV: Unjust Treatment of the Soldiers, and How Justinian Tricked the “Students” Out of Their Pay by Threatening to Send Them to War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxiv-unjust-treatment-of-the-soldiers-and-how-justinian-tricked-the-students-out-of-their-pay-by-threatening-to-send-them-to-war)

As Master of Offices, he daily extorts money from the Student Corps with unheard-of thefts; also implicated in the murder of Amasalontha.

### [XXV: How He Robbed His Own Officials, Merchants, Sailors, Workmen, and Everybody Else](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxv-how-he-robbed-his-own-officials-merchants-sailors-workmen-and-everybody-else)

As imperial treasurer, becomes the sole silk merchant, selling at inflated prices and enriching himself at public expense.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/characters/peter_barsyames
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/characters