# Zeno — The Secret History character guide

> Zeno in The Secret History by Procopius.

**Role:** minor

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

## Who they are

Previous emperor, father of Longinus.

## In the story

### [XII: Proving That Justinian and Theodora Were Actually Fiends in Human Form](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xii-proving-that-justinian-and-theodora-were-actually-fiends-in-human-form)

Grandson of former Emperor Anthamius, appointed Governor of Egypt; his ship was set on fire and his valuables stolen, and after his sudden death, Justinian and Theodora claimed his estate via a forged will.

### [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)

His reign marked the point when the Scholarian guard became open to any cowardly or poor soldier.

## Links

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