The Secret History of Procopius  (Paperback, Richard Atwater)

"The Secret History," Procopius portrays Justinian and Theodora as tyrannical, deceitful, and morally corrupt figures, revealing their alleged wrongdoings and excesses. The work is filled with accusations of cruelty, immorality, and corruption at the imperial court, and it provides a stark contrast to the more positive image of Justinian found in Procopius's other writings. The reasons behind Procopius's decision to write such a damning account in "The Secret History" remain a subject of scholarly debate. Some historians suggest that the work might have been a private and cathartic release for Procopius, allowing him to express his true feelings about the imperial regime without fear of reprisal. Others propose that the work might have been intended for a select audience or written after Procopius's death.