The Secret History · Chapter
Ignorance of the Emperor Justin, and His Stencilled Signature, and How His Nephew Justinian Was the Virtual Ruler explained
This chapter details the rise of Justin, an illiterate Illyrian farmer who became Roman Emperor through military power, and the de facto rule of his nephew Justinian, who is portrayed as a corrupt and destructive force.
What happens
This chapter details the rise of Justin, an illiterate Illyrian farmer who became Roman Emperor through military power, and the de facto rule of his nephew Justinian, who is portrayed as a corrupt and destructive force. It describes Justin's inability to read or write, his use of a stenciled signature, and his wife Lupicina's background. Justinian is depicted as a ruthless ruler who murdered rivals like Amantius and Vitalian, seized property, and brought calamity upon the Roman state.
Themes in this chapter
Corruption and Tyranny
Justinian's rule is depicted as a second pestilence, corrupting all noble traditions and bringing ruin through murder and seizure of property.
Abuse of Power
Justin's inability to govern led to the stenciled signature system, while Justinian abused his virtual rule to kill rivals and destroy the Roman state.
Injustice and Lawlessness
Justinian murdered Amantius on a flimsy charge and killed Vitalian despite sacred pledges, showing complete disregard for justice.
Characters to notice
- Justin
Illiterate Illyrian farmer who became Emperor; used a stenciled signature due to inability to read or write; simple and bucolic, unable to govern effectively.
- Justinian
Nephew of Justin and virtual ruler; portrayed as a corrupt, murderous tyrant who ruined the Roman state and killed rivals like Amantius and Vitalian.
- Proclus
Quaestor who assisted Justin and invented the stenciled signature device to manage state business.
- Emperor Leo
Emperor during the time when Justin and his fellow farmers first joined the army.
- Anastasius
Emperor who succeeded Leo; appointed Justin Count of the palace guard and sent an army against the Isaurians.
- John the Hunchback
General who imprisoned Justin and was warned by a vision to release him.
- Vitalian
Rebel leader who was murdered by Justinian at a banquet after receiving pledges of safety.
Key passages
“It was the custom for an Emperor to sign his edicts with his own hand, but he neither made decrees nor was able to understand the business of state at all.”
Although emperors traditionally signed decrees personally, Justin could not read or write and had no grasp of state affairs.
Highlights Justin's illiteracy and dependence on others.
“His nephew Justinian, while still a youth, was the virtual ruler, and the cause of more and worse calamities to the Romans than any one man in all their previous history that has come down to us.”
Justinian, though young, effectively ruled and brought more disasters to Rome than any previous leader.
Establishes Justinian as the central destructive figure.
“But this man, not one of all the Romans could escape; but as if he were a second pestilence sent from heaven, he fell on the nation and left no man quite untouched.”
Justinian afflicted every Roman, like a divine plague, leaving no one unharmed.
Metaphor comparing Justinian to a plague.
