# Moral Decadence in The Secret History

> Theme guide for The Secret History by Procopius.

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.

## Links

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