The Secret History · Chapter
XV: How an Roman Citizens Became Slaves, and a Complaining Patrician Was Ribaldly Mocked by Theodora’s Eunuchs explained
The chapter details Theodora's unyielding cruelty and her absolute control over the Roman court, contrasting her harshness with Justinian's false geniality.
What happens
The chapter details Theodora's unyielding cruelty and her absolute control over the Roman court, contrasting her harshness with Justinian's false geniality. It describes how she manipulated justice, destroyed enemies, and mocked a patrician who came to her for help, turning his plea into a theatrical jest with her eunuchs. The chapter also highlights the corruption and servility that pervaded Roman society under their rule.
Themes in this chapter
Corruption and Tyranny
Theodora and Justinian's joint rule is characterized by arbitrary justice, confiscation of property, and the subjugation of even high-ranking citizens.
Hypocrisy and Deception
Justinian's false geniality and Theodora's harshness are both forms of deceit; they are described as 'liars of the first water.'
Abuse of Power
Theodora uses her position to destroy enemies, fabricate charges, and mock a patrician seeking justice, turning state matters into a jest.
Characters to notice
- Theodora
Depicted as inhuman, vengeful, and tyrannical; she mocks a patrician and controls the court with cruelty.
- Justinian
Described as calm but deceitful, entrusting business to Theodora and sharing her avarice and bloodthirstiness.
- Procopius
The narrator, who refrains from naming the patrician to avoid eternal ridicule.
Key passages
“For her spirit was over ready to be kindled to the destruction of men, while cure for her fever there was none.”
Her temper flared easily, leading to the ruin of many, and nothing could calm her rage.
Describes Theodora's relentless and unforgiving nature.
“Not civility, but servility was now the rule, and Theodora was the slave driver.”
The court was governed by subservience rather than politeness, with Theodora acting as the enforcer.
Highlights the degradation of Roman society under Theodora's rule.
“Highness, it is hard for a patrician to ask for money. For what in other men brings sympathy and pity, in one of my rank is considered disgraceful.”
Your Majesty, it is shameful for a patrician to beg for money, as it brings disgrace rather than sympathy.
The patrician's plea reveals the social stigma attached to poverty among the elite.