The Secret History · Chapter
XXIX: Other Incidents Revealing Him as a Liar and a Hypocrite explained
Procopius details further examples of Justinian's deceit, hypocrisy, and greed, including his betrayal of the Blues, his contradictory letters regarding Liberius's office, and his seizure of estates from legal heirs under the guise of piety
What happens
Procopius details further examples of Justinian's deceit, hypocrisy, and greed, including his betrayal of the Blues, his contradictory letters regarding Liberius's office, and his seizure of estates from legal heirs under the guise of piety.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Deception
Justinian's contradictory letters and false promises reveal his systematic deceit.
Abuse of Power
The Emperor seizes estates arbitrarily, changes laws retroactively, and accepts bribes to drop investigations.
Injustice and Lawlessness
The Senate acquits Liberius but Justinian fines him privately; the Blues' murder attempt goes unpunished.
Corruption and Tyranny
Justinian's greed and disregard for legal heirs demonstrate tyrannical rule.
Characters to notice
- Justinian
Revealed as a liar and hypocrite through contradictory letters, bribery, and seizure of estates.
- Liberius
Removed from office by Justinian's deceit, later acquitted by the Senate but fined by the Emperor.
- Pelagius
Friend of Liberius who inquired about the appointment and received a false denial from Justinian.
- Eudemon
Uncle of John Laxarion; his estate was seized by Justinian after his death.
- John the Cappadocian
Appointed as governor but killed in a conflict with Liberius's guards.
- Anatolius
Senator of Ascalon whose estate was targeted by Justinian's new law; his daughter was left with a daily stater.
- Mammian
Son-in-law of Anatolius; his estate was seized by Justinian after his death.
- Emperor Leo
Referendar whose son-in-law Malthanes caused turmoil in Tarsus; bribed Justinian to stop the inquiry.
Key passages
“for it is my custom to do what is holy and pious.”
Justinian claimed he was acting out of religious piety while robbing an old woman of her inheritance.
Highlights the hypocrisy of using piety as a pretext for theft.
“Who would not call that state most miserable, in which the Emperor accepts bribes to leave an inquiry unfinished, and in which factionists, while the Emperor is in the palace, dare to mutiny against one of their own magistrates and lift violent hands against him?”
Procopius condemns a state where the Emperor is bribed to drop investigations and faction members riot in the palace with impunity.
Shows the breakdown of law and order under Justinian.
“This shows Justinian’s love of truth and how he kept his word.”
Procopius sarcastically remarks that the incident reveals Justinian's dishonesty and unreliability.
Ironic commentary on Justinian's character.
“Such was the respect for law and the kinsmen of his friends that this Emperor had.”
Justinian showed no regard for legal inheritance or the families of his associates.
Emphasizes Justinian's arbitrary confiscations.
