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Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian
A unique look at a powerful marriage in the celebrated age of Justinian
Belisarius and Antonina were titans in the Roman world some 1,500 years ago. Belisarius was the most well-known general of his age, victor over the Persians, conqueror of the Vandals and the Goths, and as if this were not enough, wealthy beyond imagination. His wife, Antonina, was an impressive person in her own right. She made a name for herself by traveling with Belisarius on his military campaigns, deposing a pope, and scheming to disgrace important Roman officials. Together, the pair were extremely influential, and arguably wielded more power in the late Roman world than anyone except the emperor Justinian and empress Theodora themselves. This unadulterated power and wealth did not mean that Belisarius and Antonina were universally successful in all that they undertook. They occasionally stumbled militarily, politically, and personally - in their marriage and with their children. These failures knock them from their lofty perch, humanize them, and make them even more relatable and
intriguing to us today.
Belisarius & Antonina is the first modern portrait of this unique partnership. They were not merely husband and wife but also partners in power. This is a paradigm which might seem strange to us, as we reflexively imagine that marriages in the ancient world were staunchly traditional, relegating wives to the domestic sphere only. But Antonina was not a reserved housewife, and Belisarius showed no desire for Antonina to remain in the home. Their private and public lives blended as they traveled together, sometimes bringing their children, and worked side-by-side. Theirs was without a doubt the most important nonroyal marriage of the late Roman world, and one of the very few from all of antiquity that speaks directly to contemporary readers.
Belisarius and Antonina were titans in the Roman world some 1,500 years ago. Belisarius was the most well-known general of his age, victor over the Persians, conqueror of the Vandals and the Goths, and as if this were not enough, wealthy beyond imagination. His wife, Antonina, was an impressive person in her own right. She made a name for herself by traveling with Belisarius on his military campaigns, deposing a pope, and scheming to disgrace important Roman officials. Together, the pair were extremely influential, and arguably wielded more power in the late Roman world than anyone except the emperor Justinian and empress Theodora themselves. This unadulterated power and wealth did not mean that Belisarius and Antonina were universally successful in all that they undertook. They occasionally stumbled militarily, politically, and personally - in their marriage and with their children. These failures knock them from their lofty perch, humanize them, and make them even more relatable and
intriguing to us today.
Belisarius & Antonina is the first modern portrait of this unique partnership. They were not merely husband and wife but also partners in power. This is a paradigm which might seem strange to us, as we reflexively imagine that marriages in the ancient world were staunchly traditional, relegating wives to the domestic sphere only. But Antonina was not a reserved housewife, and Belisarius showed no desire for Antonina to remain in the home. Their private and public lives blended as they traveled together, sometimes bringing their children, and worked side-by-side. Theirs was without a doubt the most important nonroyal marriage of the late Roman world, and one of the very few from all of antiquity that speaks directly to contemporary readers.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
272 pages, Hardcover
Published June 16, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book for several reasons: it is a more social approach to military history, the storytelling is excellent and accessible, and I like the method of the author in general.
Belisarius and Antonina become more relatable and human historical figures, with their flaws and struggles beside their fame. It is a well-constructed image that emerges from a critical sources analysis that looks closer into Procopius’ Wars and Secret History, but also compared to other sources like Agathias, Marcellinus and Menander.
The insights really surprised me, and many as far as I know, have not appeared in other (general/mainstream) studies. The “witch” trope for Antonina may indicate that she was acquainted with herbal medicine (explaining how she prevented the water from spoiling). The accusations that Antonina and Theodosios had a scandalous affair may have been the product of a rivalry between Photios and Theodosios about the inheritance of the incredibly rich couple. Both children sided with each parent, leading to tension and ultimately the collapse of the family.
Belisarius’ succes was largely reliant on the capable people that aided him in his endeavours; thanks to Parnell’s prosopographical approach we get to know the officers that were part of his household. The wars and the loss of his most capable aides certainly had their toll on him: the correspondence with the emperor and Belisarius’ strategy for the second Italian campaign contrast starkly with his earlier campaigns which were much more favourable.
Despite the hardships, and occasional errors (such as political blundering and the allowing themselves to be tangled up in conspiracies), the active partnership of Belisarius and Antonina, alongside their connections to an equally powerful couple - the emperor Justinian and the empress Theodora - survived and dominated the power game in the early sixth century.
Some of these are non military factors that still had a profound impact on their lives during an era fraught with conflict. And above all, it demonstrates the remarkable active partnership the two shared.
Belisarius and Antonina become more relatable and human historical figures, with their flaws and struggles beside their fame. It is a well-constructed image that emerges from a critical sources analysis that looks closer into Procopius’ Wars and Secret History, but also compared to other sources like Agathias, Marcellinus and Menander.
The insights really surprised me, and many as far as I know, have not appeared in other (general/mainstream) studies. The “witch” trope for Antonina may indicate that she was acquainted with herbal medicine (explaining how she prevented the water from spoiling). The accusations that Antonina and Theodosios had a scandalous affair may have been the product of a rivalry between Photios and Theodosios about the inheritance of the incredibly rich couple. Both children sided with each parent, leading to tension and ultimately the collapse of the family.
Belisarius’ succes was largely reliant on the capable people that aided him in his endeavours; thanks to Parnell’s prosopographical approach we get to know the officers that were part of his household. The wars and the loss of his most capable aides certainly had their toll on him: the correspondence with the emperor and Belisarius’ strategy for the second Italian campaign contrast starkly with his earlier campaigns which were much more favourable.
Despite the hardships, and occasional errors (such as political blundering and the allowing themselves to be tangled up in conspiracies), the active partnership of Belisarius and Antonina, alongside their connections to an equally powerful couple - the emperor Justinian and the empress Theodora - survived and dominated the power game in the early sixth century.
Some of these are non military factors that still had a profound impact on their lives during an era fraught with conflict. And above all, it demonstrates the remarkable active partnership the two shared.
October 21, 2023
Excellent recounting of what's known about the lives of Belisarius and Antonina - the power couple of the 6th century, second only to Justinian and Theodora. Most of it relies on Procopios's "Wars" and "Secret History" but there are a few other contemporary or near contemporary historians included. The author tries to tease out the truths of what Procopios wrote from the stories that would have been appropriate in the 6th century's version of The National Enquirer. I found it especially interesting how he sort of debunks the whole story of Antonina having an affair with their adopted son, Theodosios.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
December 25, 2024
A enjoyable and interesting read. This book had two interesting approaches, firstly looking at how a couple operated in the time, and secondly tried to seek out the truth or near enough it between ‘The Wars’ and ‘The Secret History’.
I very much enjoyed the author’s attempt to use logic and reasoning to get to this latter truth, and I think he was very successful in coming to a more likely, and often less salacious conclusion than ‘The Secret History’.
However, there was alot of repetition in the book, often only a paragraph away from the first instance. It is also difficult to be very definitive on much as there are limited sources and the two main sources contradict each other.
I very much enjoyed the author’s attempt to use logic and reasoning to get to this latter truth, and I think he was very successful in coming to a more likely, and often less salacious conclusion than ‘The Secret History’.
However, there was alot of repetition in the book, often only a paragraph away from the first instance. It is also difficult to be very definitive on much as there are limited sources and the two main sources contradict each other.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews