XXVII: How the Defender of the Faith Protected the Interests of the Christians explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Hypocrisy and Deception

  Justinian feigns horror at the murder he himself ordered, and accepts bribes to reinstate a convicted bishop, revealing his duplicity.

• Corruption and Tyranny

  Justinian sells ecclesiastical offices and pardons crimes for money, demonstrating systemic corruption and tyrannical rule.

• Injustice and Lawlessness

  The murder of Psoes, the crucifixion of Arsenius without charge, and the reversal of Faustin's exile show flagrant disregard for justice.

Characters to notice

• Justinian

  Dissembles and disregards God, priests, laws, and loyal subjects; appoints Paul as bishop of Alexandria; orders Rhodon to serve Paul; later expresses horror at the murder of Psoes; accepts a bribe from Paul to reinstate him; annuls Faustin's exile after receiving money.

• Theodora

  Pretends to disagree with Justinian in religious matters; instigates Justinian's horror at Paul's actions; orders Liberius to crucify Arsenius.

• Paul

  Appointed bishop of Alexandria by Justinian; hands over deacon Psoes to be put to death; convicted of murder and removed from bishopric; later offers Justinian seven gold centenaries for reinstatement.

• Rhodon

  Governor of Alexandria; ordered by Justinian to serve Paul; scourges Psoes to death; flees to Constantinople and is beheaded by Justinian.

• Arsenius

  Samaritan turned nominal Christian; intimate of Theodora; goes to Alexandria to assist Paul; crucified by Liberius at Theodora's order.

• Liberius

  Patrician from Rome; appointed Governor of Alexandria; crucifies Arsenius at Theodora's order.

• Pelagius

  Archdeacon of Rome; commissioned by Pope Vigilius as legate; investigates the murder of Psoes; his decision not annulled by Vigilius.

• Pope Vigilius

  In Constantinople; refuses to annul Pelagius's decision regarding Paul's reinstatement.

Key passages

• “The deeds of Justinian were such that all eternity would not be long enough in which to describe them adequately.”

  Justinian's actions are so numerous and wicked that no amount of time could fully recount them.

  Procopius sets the tone for the chapter, emphasizing the vastness of Justinian's misdeeds.

• “He had no shame at all, either when he brought destruction on the State or at any misdeed; he did not bother to try to excuse his actions, and his only care was how he might get sole possession of all the wealth of the world.”

  Justinian felt no shame for ruining the state or committing any crime; he didn't even bother to justify himself, caring only about amassing all the world's wealth.

  Procopius characterizes Justinian as utterly shameless and greed-driven.

• “Justinian genially took the money, treated the man with great respect, and agreed to make him Bishop of Alexandria again very soon, though another now held the office; as if he did not know that he himself had put to death Paul’s friends and helpers, and had confiscated their estates.”

  Justinian cheerfully accepted the bribe, showed Paul great respect, and promised to reinstate him as bishop, ignoring that he had killed Paul's associates and seized their property.

  Highlights Justinian's hypocrisy and willingness to overlook murder for financial gain.

• “Now in what way Justinian protected the true interests of the Christians may clearly be seen in these instances, few of them as I have had time to give.”

  These few examples clearly show how Justinian supposedly defended Christian interests.

  Procopius sarcastically concludes that Justinian's actions reveal his true, corrupt nature.