# III: Showing the Danger of Interfering with a Woman’s Intrigues, Especially When the Woman Is the Friend of an Empress explained — The Secret History

> Chapter companion for The Secret History by Procopius.

## What happens

Theodora protects Antonina by hiding Theodosius in the palace and torturing Photius and Belisarius's friends. Photius escapes twice but is recaptured, eventually fleeing to Jerusalem. Belisarius fails in his campaign against Chosroes, and Theodora forces him to reconcile with Antonina. Theodosius dies of dysentery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Abuse of Power

Theodora tortures Photius and Belisarius's friends, violates sanctuary, and forces reconciliation.

### Injustice and Lawlessness

Innocent men are tortured and exiled for their association with Photius and Belisarius.

### Suffering of the Common People

The senator Theodosius is tortured and driven mad; Photius suffers brutal treatment.

## Character check-ins

### Theodora

Hides Theodosius, tortures Photius and Belisarius's friends, forces Belisarius to reconcile with Antonina.

### Antonina

Reunited with Theodosius by Theodora, expresses gratitude.

### Theodosius

Hidden by Theodora, dies of dysentery.

### Photius

Tortured by Theodora, escapes to Jerusalem, becomes a monk.

### Belisarius

Forced to reconcile with Antonina; his campaign against Chosroes fails.

### Calligonus

Captured by Photius, confesses secrets under torture, later handed over to Antonina by Theodora.

### Chosroes

Invades Roman territory, captures Callinicus.

## Key lines

> Thereafter, the Empress kept Theodosius in the palace, wrapping him in every luxury, and declared she would even make him general of all the Roman forces before long. Justice, however, intervened. Carried off by a dysentery, he disappeared from the world of men.

Theodora pampered Theodosius and promised him a high military command, but he died of dysentery.

_Theodosius's death ends Theodora's plan to promote him._

> Now in Theodora’s palace were certain secret dungeon rooms: dark, unknown, and remote, wherein there was no difference between day and night. In one of these Photius languished for a long time.

Theodora kept Photius in a hidden, lightless dungeon for years.

_Illustrates Theodora's cruel imprisonment methods._

> The only difference between him and an ass, was that he could not bray.

The senator Theodosius was treated like a beast, forced to stand at a manger with a tight noose.

_Graphic depiction of torture and dehumanization._

## Links

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