# Corruption and Tyranny in The Secret History

> Theme guide for The Secret History by Procopius.

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.
- [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): Justinian and Theodora systematically corrupt the legal system, forge wills, and bribe servants to confiscate wealth, demonstrating absolute tyranny.
- [XIII: Deceptive Affability and Piety of a Tyrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xiii-deceptive-affability-and-piety-of-a-tyrant): The emperor's decisions are driven by bribes and personal gain, and he systematically ruins his subjects through illegal means.
- [XIV: Justice for Sale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xiv-justice-for-sale): Justinian's personal sale of justice and disregard for legal procedure exemplify systemic corruption and autocratic rule.
- [XV: How an Roman Citizens Became Slaves, and a Complaining Patrician Was Ribaldly Mocked by Theodora’s Eunuchs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xv-how-an-roman-citizens-became-slaves-and-a-complaining-patrician-was-ribaldly-mocked-by-theodora-s-eunuchs): Theodora and Justinian's joint rule is characterized by arbitrary justice, confiscation of property, and the subjugation of even high-ranking citizens.
- [XVIII: How Justinian Killed a Trillion People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xviii-how-justinian-killed-a-trillion-people): Justinian is depicted as a tyrannical ruler who plunders provinces, imposes unjust taxes, and recalls loyal generals out of paranoia.
- [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): Justinian's arbitrary confiscation of estates through false accusations exemplifies tyrannical abuse of power.
- [XX: Debasing of the Quaestorship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xx-debasing-of-the-quaestorship): Justinian debases the Quaestorship by appointing ignorant and greedy officials who sell decrees and plunder the state, while creating new offices to extort money and destroy innocents.
- [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): Justinian institutionalized corruption by selling offices to the worst scoundrels, who then plundered the populace, only to have their ill-gotten gains confiscated by the emperor.
- [XXII: Further Corruption in High Places](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxii-further-corruption-in-high-places): Systematic sale of offices, embezzlement of grain and soldier pay, and protection of corrupt officials by the imperial couple.
- [XXIII: How Landowners Were Ruined](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxiii-how-landowners-were-ruined): The emperor is described as a 'more bitter foe than all the barbarians,' imposing ruinous taxes and ignoring the plight of his subjects.
- [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): Justinian's systematic extortion of soldiers through fraudulent commissions, paymaster schemes, and threats of active duty exemplifies the corruption at the heart of his rule.
- [XXVI: How He Spoiled the Beauty of the Cities and Plundered the Poor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxvi-how-he-spoiled-the-beauty-of-the-cities-and-plundered-the-poor): Justinian's arbitrary seizure of municipal funds, imposition of monopolies, and approval of oppressive governors like Alexander and Hephaestus exemplify tyrannical corruption.
- [XXVII: How the Defender of the Faith Protected the Interests of the Christians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxvii-how-the-defender-of-the-faith-protected-the-interests-of-the-christians): Justinian sells ecclesiastical offices and pardons crimes for money, demonstrating systemic corruption and tyrannical rule.
- [XXVIII: His Violation of the Laws of the Romans, and How Jews Were Fined for Eating Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxviii-his-violation-of-the-laws-of-the-romans-and-how-jews-were-fined-for-eating-lamb): Justinian uses his legislative power to enable a fraudulent scheme against innocent citizens for monetary gain.
- [XXIX: Other Incidents Revealing Him as a Liar and a Hypocrite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxix-other-incidents-revealing-him-as-a-liar-and-a-hypocrite): Justinian's greed and disregard for legal heirs demonstrate tyrannical rule.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/themes/corruption_and_tyranny
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/themes