Procopius and the Sixth Century

by Averil Cameron

In this new evaluation of Procopius, Professor Cameron emphasises the essential unity of the three works and, startin with the `minor' ones, deomstrates their intimate connection with the Wars .

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ancient History

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Dame Averil Millicent Cameron, Professor of Late Antique and Byzantine History at the University of Oxford.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this in one long stint in the library. My goodness! I don't think I've ever disagreed with a book more. I practically ruined the book by scrawling arguments upon arguments all over it. In short, Cameron firmly believes Procopius to be the author of the notorious Secret History, and gives many examples of it being firmly in line with his prejudices, genre, style of writings, and objects of ire. Unfortunately, there were about three dozen counter arguments I (as someone who knows incredibly little about Procopius) was able to come up with off the top of my head, much too many to list here. A few: Justinian allowed criticism of himself and his reign, but Procopius (despite criticising him in other books) had to secretly hide a diatribe against the Emperor until well after his death. Procopius was a pagan, yet his Secret History was undeniably Christian. Procopius never finished his Secret History because, despite being a court historian for decades, nine years after Theodora died meant her reign was ancient history and could be forgotten.

Procopius may well have written that scandalous book, but there's still plenty of room for doubt. Cameron's book will entertain no disagreement. Counter-arguments receive a line to argue their point and then paragraphs of scorn. Her opinion of Justinian is equally unbalanced, and Procopius and Justinian (who both deserve nuanced takes that look at their good and their bad) are instead reduced to flat characters with little subtlety or refinement offered.

Cameron writes very well, but I'm not sure her arguments are entirely fair or entirely convincing.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prof. Cameron successfully argues that one needs to read Procopius in light of his times, his choice of genre, his status, and the order in which he wrote them. She claims that it is wrong to blindly rely on his “rationality” and account of the events. All three of Procopius’ works must be read together in order to get his full view. One must also bear in mind that his major work, Wars, is heavily influenced by his choice of genre and his training in rhetoric, and therefore focuses exclusively on wars, politics, foreign policy, speeches, and events. He offers little if any analysis of the events or policy. He also writes from the position of the senatorial, landed elite, whom Justinian were alienating and pushing out of power. Procopius is definitely Christian, believes in the imperial policy of reconquest but just not how it was carried out, and had a noticeable change in opinion of Belisarius and the wars as he continued to write. This has a great bibliography, convincing argument, and a wondeful foundation for a deeper study of the Age of Justinian.

[Jack Lupo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone trying to understand Procopius & the age of Justinian.