Of the Buildings of Justinian

by Procopius

Translated by Aubrey Stewart. This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1888 edition published in London.

Genres: History, Architecture, Nonfiction, Art

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Procopius of Caesarea was born in the latter years of the fifth century at Caesarea in Palestine. He originated from the land-owning provincial upper class and, like Zosimus, became a civil servant. As early as A.D. 527, before the emperor Justin's death, Procopius became counsellor, assessor, and secretary to Belisarius, whose fortunes and campaigns he followed for the next twelve or fifteen years. Small wonder he became very knowledgeable of military affairs through this service. He has long been respected as a historian of the emperor Justinian’s wars, and is reckoned the greatest of the later Greek historians. Procopius was finally raised to the dignity of an illustrius, and died not earlier than A.D. 562.

Reviews

[Diarmuid Angland · Rating 4 out of 5]

If one was to believe this account of the buildings of Justinian by Procopius, every fort/city in the Empire was rebuilt to be impregnable, it was garrisoned with many troops and settlers were placed there so that it was now prosperous.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less exciting that "The Wars" books by far, unless you are very into architecture. That said, a must read for Byzantinists and the former!

[Mete Oguz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work is surprisingly more fun to read than the title suggests. Especially the 5th chapter, the 'buildings of Asia' was interesting for me because hidden in Procopius' descriptions are some very valuable information on the 6th century countryside and peasant life. He frequently refers to marshy boggy areas which are dried up and paved with stone for transportation, or how uncrossable rivers are bridged over etc. The whole text is one big chain of flattery for Justinian and Theodora, which also made me laugh occasionally as I had just previously read the 'Secret History', and certain vivid scenes do to with Theodora especially kept coming back to me.

Having read all of Procopius' works, I feel that he has a very creative mind, and appears dedicated and intellectual at the same time. His true feelings are a mystery, and I really wish I could've met him, I want to get into that brain.