This book can be interesting from the historical standpoint, and I learned a lot indeed about Byzantium, Justinian, and Theodora. But the litany of all the misdeeds committed by the emperor and the empress becomes tedious after a while. And besides: how to believe all what Procopius reports? When I compare it to the Justinian entry in my 10-volume Larousse encyclopaedy, it doesn't seem to be the same person. The Secret History is finally a puzzling book. ( )

This is an odd, odd little book. It's probably the strangest ancient work of history you will ever come across. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that Procopius is otherwise a respected author of sixth century Byzantine history, one would be inclined to dismiss this work as the work of someone who was more than a little biased, sex-crazed, and, well, insane.

As it is, it contrasts strangely with Procopius' other works, which are neutral-to-favourable on the subject of Justinian and Theodora, the rulers of the empire at the time he was writing. In The Secret History, however, Theodora is represented as a sex-crazed, infant-killing harlot, and Justinian, we are told, is quite literally the devil. No-one knows quite why this happened - was Procopius writing the real and unvarnished truth, in the hopes that his work would come down to posterity after his death? Is it a grudge-piece? Is it even written by Procopius?

Much of the work cannot be taken at face value; much of the rest of it has to be skimmed in distaste (I really don't want to read about Theodora servicing fifty men in one night, thank you so much). However, if that is taken into account, it is still a fascinating read for someone examining some of the political attitudes and social mores which permeated Byzantium at the time - even if one does not believe the accusations laid at the door of the imperial couple, the question of why these particular accusations were made against them is an interesting one to ask. Worthwhile reading if you have any interest in the late Roman empire or Byzantium. ( )

Procopius was the perfect civil servant, seemingly efficient and trustworthy and obsequious. He wrote fawning works in praise of The Emperor Justinian, and was evidently trusted as he advanced steadily when all around him were losing position, life or both. But on his death, he left this work; a scathing attack on Justinian and his wife Theodora. Their sex lives, their treachery and greed and their destruction of what remained of the Roman West are all detailed in the most over the top terms. This probably the most ruthless political hatchet job of all time. ( )

A book to be read with caution. It presents a scurrilous litany of scandal in the court of Justinian, but really, how seriously can we take a source, purportedly written by an otherwise sober-minded historian, which claims that Justinian was the spawn of a demon, that he was witnessed walking around the palace without a head, and that he was responsible for the death of a trillion people? Add to this the fact that the supposed author, Procopius, wrote a book praising Justinian *after* this one and the confusion really mounts.

My suggestion: read Procopius's non-secret histories before you read this one. Then, at the very least, you'll have a more well-rounded view of the time and the people. ( )

The story of the seamy underside of the reign of Justinian, and his empress Theodora.