Procopius
Procopius, H. B. Dewing (Translator)
History of the Wars by the Byzantine historian Procopius (late fifth century to after 558 CE) consists largely of sixth century CE military history, with much information about peoples, places, and special events. Powerful description complements careful narration. Procopius is just to the empire's enemies and boldly criticises emperor Justinian. Procopius, born at Caesarea in Palestine late in the 5th century, became a lawyer. In 527 CE he was made legal adviser and secretary of Belisarius, commander against the Persians, and went with Belisarius again in 533 against the Vandals and in 535 against the Ostrogoths. Sometime after 540 he returned to Constantinople. He may have been that Procopius who was prefect of Constantinople in 562, but the date of his death (after 558) is unknown. Procopius's History of the Wars in 8 books recounts the Persian Wars of emperors Justinus and Justinian down to 550 (2 books); the Vandalic War and after-events in Africa 532-546 (2 books); the Gothic War against the Ostrogoths in Sicily and Italy 536-552 (3 books); and a sketch of events to 554 (1 book). The whole consists largely of military history, with much information about peoples and places as well, and about special events. He was a diligent, careful, judicious narrator of facts and developments and shows good powers of description. He is just to the empire's enemies and boldly criticises emperor Justinian. Other works by Procopius are the Anecdota or Secret History--vehement attacks on Justinian, Theodora, and others; and The Buildings of Justinian (down to 558 CE) including roads and bridges as well as churches, forts, hospitals, and so on in various parts of the empire. The Loeb Classical Library edition of Procopius is in seven volumes
Print Book, Ancient Greek, 1914-1954
W. Heinemann ; The Macmillan Co., London, New York, 1914-1954
History
7 volumes : frontispiece, portrait, folded maps, folded plan ; 17 cm.
9780674991194, 0674991192
3117236
I. History of the wars, books I and II. The Persian war
II. History of the wars, books III and IV. The Vandalic war
III-V. History of the wars, books V[-VIII] The Gothic war
VI. The Anecdota, or Secret history
VII. Buildings. General index to Procopius
Greek and English on opposite pages
Vols. 2-5 have imprint: London, W. Heinemann; New York, G.P. Putnam's sons, v. 6 has imprint: London, W. Heinemann ltd.; Cambridge, Mass., Harvard university press
Greek and English on opposite pages