The Secret History · Chapter
Endnotes explained
This chapter provides endnotes that clarify and expand upon various historical figures, events, and terms mentioned in the main text, including Belisarius's origins, the fates of Silverius, John of Cappadocia, Constantine, Photius, Theodosi
What happens
This chapter provides endnotes that clarify and expand upon various historical figures, events, and terms mentioned in the main text, including Belisarius's origins, the fates of Silverius, John of Cappadocia, Constantine, Photius, Theodosius, and others, as well as notes on currency, geography, and Gibbon's interpretations.
Themes in this chapter
Abuse of Power
Justinian's refusal to remove John of Cappadocia despite his cruelties, and Theodora's use of Antonina to entrap John, exemplify the abuse of imperial authority.
Hypocrisy and Deception
Theodora's plot to lure John of Cappadocia under the guise of discussing a rebellion, and the marriage law ostensibly for 'glorious repentance' but enabling senatorial-courtesan unions, highlight hypocrisy.
Injustice and Lawlessness
The execution of Constantine for mutiny, the murder of Amasalontha, and the discredited fable of Belisarius's unjust punishment reflect lawlessness and injustice.
Characters to notice
- Belisarius
Noted as possibly of Slavonic origin ('White Prince') and from Germania on the border of Thrace and Illyria; his end is mentioned in a discredited fable of being blinded and begging.
- John the Cappadocian
Highly unpopular praetorian prefect; lured by Antonina into an ambush on Theodora's orders, escaped but was disgraced and became a priest.
- Antonina
Lured John of Cappadocia into a nocturnal assignation on Theodora's orders; noted as being sixty years old, with Gibbon suggesting a different chronology.
- Theodora
Plotted against John of Cappadocia using Antonina; suffered from cancer and feared death; her nephew Anastasius is discussed; performed a burlesque of Leda and the Swan.
- Photius
Son of Antonina by a former marriage; his manhood in 536 is referenced in Gibbon's chronology.
- Constantine
An officer under Belisarius; despoiled Presidius of daggers, drew his sword on Belisarius, and was executed for mutiny.
- Theodosius
His death is noted; Gibbon prefers a romantic end involving an amorous interview.
- Justinian
Refused to remove John of Cappadocia from office; accused Belisarius of conspiracy in a discredited fable; associated with the Blues faction and Athanasian orthodoxy.
Key passages
“Belisarius, according to one learned guess, is a Latin transliteration of the Slavonic “Beli-Tsar,” or “White Prince.””
Some scholars believe Belisarius's name comes from a Slavic term meaning 'White Prince.'
Etymology of Belisarius's name.
“Discovering he was plotting to make the Emperor distrustful of her, Theodora had Belisarius’s wife, Antonina, lure John into a nocturnal assignation “to discuss a rebellion.””
Theodora, learning that John was trying to turn Justinian against her, used Antonina to trick John into a nighttime meeting under the pretense of plotting a revolt.
Theodora's scheme against John of Cappadocia.
“Gibbon nicely prefers a more romantic end than the Greek allows: “Theodosius expired in the first fatigues of an amorous interview”!”
Gibbon favors a romanticized version of Theodosius's death, suggesting he died during a passionate encounter.
Gibbon's interpretation of Theodosius's death.
“A picturesque but discredited later fable tells how the ungrateful Justinian finally accused Belisarius of a conspiracy against his life, stripped him of his possessions and put out his eyes, so that he was forced to beg in the streets, “Give a penny to Belisarius the general!””
A later, unreliable story claims that Justinian falsely accused Belisarius of conspiracy, blinded him, and left him begging for coins.
Fable of Belisarius's downfall.
