The Secret History · Chapter
XVIII: How Justinian Killed a Trillion People explained
Procopius accuses Justinian of being a demon in human form who caused the deaths of a trillion people through devastating wars, oppressive taxation, neglect of soldiers, religious persecution, civil strife, and natural disasters.
What happens
Procopius accuses Justinian of being a demon in human form who caused the deaths of a trillion people through devastating wars, oppressive taxation, neglect of soldiers, religious persecution, civil strife, and natural disasters. He details the depopulation of Libya, Italy, Illyria, Thrace, and the East, blaming Justinian's greed, incompetence, and bloodthirstiness for the ruin of the Roman Empire.
Themes in this chapter
Corruption and Tyranny
Justinian is depicted as a tyrannical ruler who plunders provinces, imposes unjust taxes, and recalls loyal generals out of paranoia.
Suffering of the Common People
The chapter emphasizes the immense suffering and death of ordinary Romans, barbarians, and provincials due to war, famine, disease, and civil strife.
Injustice and Lawlessness
Procopius highlights the lack of impartial punishment, the persecution of religious minorities, and the chaos of factional violence.
Characters to notice
- Justinian
Portrayed as a demonic figure responsible for the deaths of countless people through war, taxation, and mismanagement.
- Belisarius
Recalled from Libya after Justinian falsely suspected him of seeking kingship.
- Chosroes
Led Persian invasions that devastated Roman territory, though Procopius notes Justinian provoked the wars.
Key passages
“For in the monstrousness of his actions the power of a fiend is manifest.”
The sheer enormity of his deeds reveals that he was possessed by demonic power.
Procopius frames Justinian's rule as supernaturally evil.
“Sooner could one number, I fancy, the sands of the sea than the men this Emperor murdered.”
The number of people Justinian killed is beyond counting, like grains of sand.
Hyperbolic condemnation of Justinian's responsibility for mass death.
“For he was never able to abide by established customs, but naturally threw everything into confusion and disturbance.”
Justinian could not follow tradition and instead caused chaos in all his affairs.
Critique of Justinian's disruptive and untraditional governance.