# XVIII: How Justinian Killed a Trillion People explained — The Secret History

> Chapter companion for The Secret History by Procopius.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xviii-how-justinian-killed-a-trillion-people
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