# How does The Secret History develop the theme of Moral Decadence?

> The Secret History by Procopius

## Answer

The Secret History by Procopius develops Moral Decadence across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Theodora's early life as a courtesan and her later depraved actions, along with the general licentiousness of the court, illustrate a theme of moral decay at the highest levels of society.

The open adultery, lack of shame, and brutal murders within the household of a great general highlight the moral decay among the elite of the Byzantine court.

Belisarius, a great conqueror, is reduced to licking his wife's feet and declaring himself her slave, illustrating the corruption of personal honor.

Belisarius's subservience to Antonina, his broken oaths, and the public mockery highlight moral decay among the elite.

## Evidence

- [i-how-the-great-general-belisarius-was-hoodwinked-by-his-wife-whose-lover-became-a-monk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/i-how-the-great-general-belisarius-was-hoodwinked-by-his-wife-whose-lover-became-a-monk.md): The open adultery, lack of shame, and brutal murders within the household of a great general highlight the moral decay among the elite of the Byzantine court.
- [iv-how-theodora-revenging-her-dear-antonina-humiliated-the-conqueror-of-africa-and-italy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/iv-how-theodora-revenging-her-dear-antonina-humiliated-the-conqueror-of-africa-and-italy.md): Belisarius, a great conqueror, is reduced to licking his wife's feet and declaring himself her slave, illustrating the corruption of personal honor.
- [v-how-theodora-tricked-the-general-s-daughter-into-a-liaison-with-the-empress-s-nephew-and-belisarius-became-a-public-laughing-stock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/v-how-theodora-tricked-the-general-s-daughter-into-a-liaison-with-the-empress-s-nephew-and-belisarius-became-a-public-laughing-stock.md): Belisarius's subservience to Antonina, his broken oaths, and the public mockery highlight moral decay among the elite.
- [ix-and-how-theodora-most-depraved-of-all-courtesans-won-his-love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/ix-and-how-theodora-most-depraved-of-all-courtesans-won-his-love.md): Theodora's shameless behavior on and off the stage exemplifies the moral decay of the era.
- [x-how-justinian-created-a-new-law-permitting-him-to-marry-a-courtesan-on-her-promise-to-repent-her-past-and-the-truth-about-the-apparent-quarrels-of-a-happy-pair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/x-how-justinian-created-a-new-law-permitting-him-to-marry-a-courtesan-on-her-promise-to-repent-her-past-and-the-truth-about-the-apparent-quarrels-of-a-happy-pair.md): The marriage of a senator to a courtesan, and the shamelessness of the imperial couple, exemplify moral decay.
- [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.md): The chapter portrays Justinian and Theodora as demonic entities, indulging in greed, lust, and supernatural corruption, reflecting moral decay.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/questions/how-moral-decadence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se
- All questions: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/questions