# The Secret History — Themes

> Major themes in The Secret History by Procopius.

## Corruption and Tyranny

The book systematically details the pervasive corruption, greed, and tyrannical rule of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, who manipulate laws, sell offices, and plunder their subjects for personal gain.

### Where it surfaces

- [Foreword by the Historian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/foreword-by-the-historian): The foreword sets up the exposure of Justinian and Theodora's depravity, warning future generations about the dangers of tyrannical rule.
- [The Secret History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/the-secret-history): Justinian and Theodora's systematic corruption of offices, confiscation of property, and tyrannical rule over the empire.
- [Ignorance of the Emperor Justin, and His Stencilled Signature, and How His Nephew Justinian Was the Virtual Ruler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/vi-ignorance-of-the-emperor-justin-and-his-stencilled-signature-and-how-his-nephew-justinian-was-the-virtual-ruler): Justinian's rule is depicted as a second pestilence, corrupting all noble traditions and bringing ruin through murder and seizure of property.
- [VII: Outrages of the Blues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/vii-outrages-of-the-blues): Justinian uses the Blues faction to destabilize the state, turning the government into a tool for oppression and lawlessness.
- [Character and Appearance of Justinian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/viii-character-and-appearance-of-justinian): The Emperor's rule is characterized by corruption, including spending public money recklessly, accepting bribes, and driving universal poverty through confiscation.
- [XI: How the Defender of the Faith Ruined His Subjects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xi-how-the-defender-of-the-faith-ruined-his-subjects): Justinian abolishes established laws and offices, renames everything after himself, and loots the wealthy for personal gain.

## Hypocrisy and Deception

Procopius exposes the hypocrisy of Justinian and Theodora, who publicly pose as pious and just rulers while privately engaging in deceit, broken oaths, and calculated cruelty to maintain power.

### Where it surfaces

- [Foreword by the Historian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/foreword-by-the-historian): Procopius admits he had to hide the truth in his earlier works due to fear, highlighting the deception required to survive under a tyrannical regime.
- [The Secret History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/the-secret-history): The gap between public piety and private depravity, as seen in the court's moral hypocrisy and secret machinations.
- [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): Antonina's elaborate lies and Belisarius's willful blindness exemplify the theme of deception, as the general prefers to distrust his own eyes rather than confront his wife's infidelity.
- [II: How Belated Jealousy Affected Belisarius’s Military Judgment, to the Joy of the Enemy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/ii-how-belated-jealousy-affected-belisarius-s-military-judgment-to-the-joy-of-the-enemy): Antonina deceives John the Cappadocian with oaths, and Belisarius swears sacred oaths to Photius while still loving his wife, planning revenge but not harm to her.
- [Character and Appearance of Justinian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/viii-character-and-appearance-of-justinian): Justinian is portrayed as deceitful, false, hypocritical, and two-faced, never truthful and skilled in dissembling his thoughts.
- [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): Justinian and Theodora feign opposition to each other to manipulate public opinion and consolidate power.

## Abuse of Power

The narrative shows how those in authority, from the imperial couple to appointed magistrates, exploit their positions to murder, confiscate property, and terrorize citizens without fear of accountability.

### Where it surfaces

- [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): Antonina uses her influence over Belisarius to murder witnesses and even Constantine, demonstrating how personal power can be abused for revenge and to cover up crimes.
- [II: How Belated Jealousy Affected Belisarius’s Military Judgment, to the Joy of the Enemy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/ii-how-belated-jealousy-affected-belisarius-s-military-judgment-to-the-joy-of-the-enemy): Belisarius prioritizes personal jealousy over military duty, withdrawing the army and abandoning strategic objectives, while Antonina uses her influence to slander her son.
- [III: Showing the Danger of Interfering with a Woman’s Intrigues, Especially When the Woman Is the Friend of an Empress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/iii-showing-the-danger-of-interfering-with-a-woman-s-intrigues-especially-when-the-woman-is-the-friend-of-an-empress): Theodora tortures Photius and Belisarius's friends, violates sanctuary, and forces reconciliation.
- [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): Theodora uses her imperial authority to imprison Buzes without trial, strip Belisarius of command, and confiscate his wealth for personal revenge.
- [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): Theodora forces a young girl into a sexual liaison to secure wealth, and protects Sergius despite his crimes, showing imperial abuse.
- [Ignorance of the Emperor Justin, and His Stencilled Signature, and How His Nephew Justinian Was the Virtual Ruler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/vi-ignorance-of-the-emperor-justin-and-his-stencilled-signature-and-how-his-nephew-justinian-was-the-virtual-ruler): Justin's inability to govern led to the stenciled signature system, while Justinian abused his virtual rule to kill rivals and destroy the Roman state.

## Moral Decadence

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.

### Where it surfaces

- [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): 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.
- [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): Belisarius, a great conqueror, is reduced to licking his wife's feet and declaring himself her slave, illustrating the corruption of personal honor.
- [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): 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): 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): 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): The chapter portrays Justinian and Theodora as demonic entities, indulging in greed, lust, and supernatural corruption, reflecting moral decay.

## Injustice and Lawlessness

The book highlights the systematic dismantling of legal protections, where trials are rigged, laws are retroactively changed for profit, and the innocent are punished while the guilty go free.

### Where it surfaces

- [II: How Belated Jealousy Affected Belisarius’s Military Judgment, to the Joy of the Enemy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/ii-how-belated-jealousy-affected-belisarius-s-military-judgment-to-the-joy-of-the-enemy): Chosroes is accused by his own nobles of breaking his plighted word by invading in peacetime, and the Roman army suffers from Belisarius's neglect of duty.
- [III: Showing the Danger of Interfering with a Woman’s Intrigues, Especially When the Woman Is the Friend of an Empress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/iii-showing-the-danger-of-interfering-with-a-woman-s-intrigues-especially-when-the-woman-is-the-friend-of-an-empress): Innocent men are tortured and exiled for their association with Photius and Belisarius.
- [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): Belisarius is condemned without proof, his property seized on false pretexts, and his life spared only through his wife's intervention.
- [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): Sergius murders ambassadors under safe conduct, and Solomon kills his rescuer Pegasius, yet both escape justice through imperial favor.
- [Ignorance of the Emperor Justin, and His Stencilled Signature, and How His Nephew Justinian Was the Virtual Ruler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/vi-ignorance-of-the-emperor-justin-and-his-stencilled-signature-and-how-his-nephew-justinian-was-the-virtual-ruler): Justinian murdered Amantius on a flimsy charge and killed Vitalian despite sacred pledges, showing complete disregard for justice.
- [VII: Outrages of the Blues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/vii-outrages-of-the-blues): Murders and robberies go unpunished, judges rule out of fear, and the legal system collapses under the weight of factional violence.

## Historical Truth vs. Propaganda

Procopius frames his work as a corrective to his earlier official histories, revealing the hidden motives and true events that were suppressed during the reign of Justinian and Theodora.

### Where it surfaces

- [Foreword by the Historian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/foreword-by-the-historian): Procopius contrasts his earlier public chronicle with this secret history, emphasizing the need to reveal what really happened behind the official narrative.

## Suffering of the Common People

The text repeatedly emphasizes the immense hardship inflicted on ordinary citizens, soldiers, and the poor through excessive taxation, monopolies, military neglect, and violent factionalism.

### Where it surfaces

- [III: Showing the Danger of Interfering with a Woman’s Intrigues, Especially When the Woman Is the Friend of an Empress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/iii-showing-the-danger-of-interfering-with-a-woman-s-intrigues-especially-when-the-woman-is-the-friend-of-an-empress): The senator Theodosius is tortured and driven mad; Photius suffers brutal treatment.
- [VII: Outrages of the Blues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/vii-outrages-of-the-blues): Citizens live in constant fear, are robbed, killed, or forced into submission, with no hope of justice or redress.
- [XI: How the Defender of the Faith Ruined His Subjects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xi-how-the-defender-of-the-faith-ruined-his-subjects): Massacres, forced conversions, loss of livelihoods, and mass emigration due to Justinian's policies.
- [XVIII: How Justinian Killed a Trillion People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xviii-how-justinian-killed-a-trillion-people): The chapter emphasizes the immense suffering and death of ordinary Romans, barbarians, and provincials due to war, famine, disease, and civil strife.
- [XIX: How He Seized All the Wealth of the Romans and Threw It Away in the Sea and on the Barbarians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xix-how-he-seized-all-the-wealth-of-the-romans-and-threw-it-away-in-the-sea-and-on-the-barbarians): Roman subjects are pillaged and their wealth given to barbarians, causing widespread suffering.
- [XXI: The Sky Tax, the Selling of All Offices, and How Border Armies Were Forbidden to Punish Invading Barbarians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxi-the-sky-tax-the-selling-of-all-offices-and-how-border-armies-were-forbidden-to-punish-invading-barbarians): Subjects were robbed by corrupt magistrates, enslaved by Huns, and even punished when they tried to rescue their families from barbarian raiders.

HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/themes