The Secret History · Chapter
II: How Belated Jealousy Affected Belisarius’s Military Judgment, to the Joy of the Enemy explained
Belisarius, consumed by jealousy over Antonina's affair with Theodosius, prioritizes personal vengeance over military duty.
What happens
Belisarius, consumed by jealousy over Antonina's affair with Theodosius, prioritizes personal vengeance over military duty. He takes Photius into his confidence, swears oaths of mutual loyalty, and plans to capture Theodosius. This obsession leads him to prematurely withdraw from the Persian campaign after capturing Sisauranum, failing to cross the Tigris and rescue Roman captives. Meanwhile, Chosroes, facing mutiny in Lazica, uses a letter from Theodora to Zaberganes to calm his troops and retreats unopposed, blaming Belisarius's absence for his safe return.
Themes in this chapter
Abuse of Power
Belisarius prioritizes personal jealousy over military duty, withdrawing the army and abandoning strategic objectives, while Antonina uses her influence to slander her son.
Hypocrisy and Deception
Antonina deceives John the Cappadocian with oaths, and Belisarius swears sacred oaths to Photius while still loving his wife, planning revenge but not harm to her.
Injustice and Lawlessness
Chosroes is accused by his own nobles of breaking his plighted word by invading in peacetime, and the Roman army suffers from Belisarius's neglect of duty.
Characters to notice
- Belisarius
Consumed by jealousy over Antonina's affair, he prioritizes personal revenge over military strategy, prematurely withdrawing from the Persian campaign.
- Antonina
Remains behind to facilitate her affair with Theodosius, bribes guards to slander Photius, and writes letters denouncing him to Belisarius.
- Photius
Reveals the affair to Belisarius, swears oaths of loyalty, and agrees to capture Theodosius in Ephesus.
- Theodosius
Antonina's lover, sent to Ephesus for safety while she travels to the East.
- Chosroes
Facing mutiny in Lazica, he reads a letter from Theodora to calm his troops and retreats unopposed due to Belisarius's absence.
- Theodora
Wrote a letter to Zaberganes expressing esteem and suggesting peace, which Chosroes uses to quell mutiny.
- John the Cappadocian
Mentioned in connection with previous events where Antonina deceived him and his daughter.
- Zaberganes
Recipient of Theodora's letter, used by Chosroes to calm the Persian army.
Key passages
“For soon Belisarius went off to war on Chosroes, and he took Photius with him; but Antonina remained behind, though this was contrary to her usual habit.”
Belisarius departed for war against Chosroes, bringing Photius along, while Antonina stayed behind—unlike her usual practice.
Highlights Antonina's unusual absence, hinting at her affair.
“When Belisarius heard it, he became passionately angry, fell at Photius’s feet, kissed them, and begged him to revenge one who had been so wronged by those who should least have treated him thus.”
Upon hearing the news, Belisarius was furious, prostrated himself before Photius, kissed his feet, and implored him to avenge the wrong done by those who should have been most loyal.
Shows Belisarius's emotional breakdown and desperation.
“Yet if he had been willing in the beginning to cross the Tigris with his entire army, I believe he could have taken all the plunder in the land of Assyria, and marched as far as the city of Ctesiphon, with none to hinder him.”
Had Belisarius initially crossed the Tigris with his full force, he could have plundered Assyria and reached Ctesiphon unopposed.
Criticizes Belisarius's missed strategic opportunity due to personal distraction.
“Chosroes read this aloud, and asked the Persian leaders if they thought this was an Empire which a woman managed. Thus he calmed their nervousness.”
Chosroes read the letter publicly and asked the Persian commanders if they believed an empire run by a woman could be formidable, thereby soothing their fears.
Chosroes uses Theodora's letter to manipulate his troops and restore morale.
