- 1. The Secret History by Procopius is a remarkable historical text that provides a unique and deeply critical perspective on the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and his influential wife, Theodora. Written in the 6th century, the work serves as a stark contrast to Procopius's earlier writings, such as 'The Wars of Justinian,' where he adhered to a more official narrative. In The Secret History, Procopius unveils what he perceives to be the hidden truths behind the facade of Justinian's reign, detailing the alleged corruption, tyranny, and moral decay of the imperial court. Through a combination of sharp wit and scathing commentary, he reveals his disdain for the ruling class, painting them as deeply flawed individuals driven by greed and ambition. The text is rich with anecdotes and accounts that offer insight into the political intrigues and personal rivalries of the time, making it both an invaluable historical record and a penetrating analysis of power dynamics in the Byzantine Empire. The Secret History stands out not only for its content but also for its literary style, characterized by its use of vivid imagery and powerful rhetoric, making it a compelling read for historians and literary enthusiasts alike.
Which Byzantine emperor is most harshly criticized in 'The Secret History'?
A) Constantine the Great
B) Justinian I
C) Basil II
D) Heraclius
- 2. Why did Procopius keep 'The Secret History' hidden during his lifetime?
A) Fear of execution for criticizing the emperor
B) It contained military secrets
C) It was an unfinished draft
D) It was written in a secret code
- 3. What major pandemic occurred during Justinian's reign that Procopius documented?
A) The Plague of Justinian
B) The Antonine Plague
C) The Spanish Flu
D) The Black Death
- 4. Procopius accuses Justinian and Theodora of being:
A) Foreign agents
B) Illiterate rulers
C) Religious heretics
D) Demons in human form
- 5. How does Procopius describe Justinian's tax policies?
A) Generous to the poor
B) Non-existent
C) Ruthless and impoverishing
D) Fair and balanced
- 6. Which famous Byzantine general's wife does Procopius criticize for adultery?
A) Irene
B) Theodora
C) Sophia
D) Antonina (wife of Belisarius)
- 7. What was the original language of 'The Secret History'?
A) Syriac
B) Greek
C) Arabic
D) Latin
- 8. When was 'The Secret History' first discovered and published?
A) During Procopius' lifetime
B) 17th century in the Vatican Library
C) In the 19th century
D) In the Renaissance
- 9. Procopius served as an advisor to which famous general?
A) Justinian
B) Belisarius
C) Constantine
D) Narses
- 10. What does Procopius claim about Theodora's treatment of political enemies?
A) She ignored them completely
B) She forgave them generously
C) She exiled them peacefully
D) She tortured and imprisoned them
- 11. Who is the author of 'The Secret History'?
A) Herodotus
B) Thucydides
C) Procopius
D) Plutarch
- 12. Which empress is viciously attacked in 'The Secret History'?
A) Irene
B) Sophia
C) Theodora
D) Eudocia
- 13. Which modern term describes the scandalous revelations in 'The Secret History'?
A) Eulogy
B) Exposé
C) Biography
D) Chronicle
- 14. What was Procopius's main criticism of Justinian's tax policies?
A) Foreign control of taxes
B) Excessive taxation
C) Too little taxation
D) Unequal taxation
- 15. What supernatural explanation does Procopius suggest for Justinian's behavior?
A) That he was a demon
B) That he was possessed
C) That he was divinely inspired
D) That he was a sorcerer
- 16. What architectural achievement of Justinian does Procopius praise in other works but ignore in 'The Secret History'?
A) Hagia Sophia
B) The Great Palace
C) The Theodosian Walls
D) The Hippodrome
- 17. Which modern historian's discovery brought 'The Secret History' to prominence in the 17th century?
A) Niccolò Alamanni
B) Jacob Burckhardt
C) Theodor Mommsen
D) Edward Gibbon
- 18. What personal vice does Procopius frequently attribute to Theodora?
A) Lust
B) Greed
C) Sloth
D) Gluttony
- 19. Which legal reform of Justinian does Procopius acknowledge in other works but criticize in 'The Secret History'?
A) The Corpus Juris Civilis
B) The Edict of Milan
C) The Codex Gregorianus
D) The Theodosian Code
- 20. What genre best describes 'The Secret History' by Procopius?
A) Historical invective
B) Romantic tragedy
C) Epic poetry
D) Philosophical dialogue
- 21. What religious controversy dominated Justinian's reign?
A) Monophysite controversy
B) Iconoclasm
C) Arian controversy
D) Great Schism
- 22. Which Vandal kingdom did Belisarius conquer for Justinian?
A) Britain
B) North Africa
C) Spain
D) Gaul
- 23. What was the Nika Revolt that Procopius documents?
A) A religious uprising
B) A major chariot racing faction uprising
C) A peasant rebellion
D) A military coup attempt
- 24. Which Italian city did Belisarius recapture from the Ostrogoths?
A) Rome
B) Milan
C) Venice
D) Florence
- 25. What personal vice does Procopius attribute to Theodora?
A) Alcoholism
B) Greed for jewels
C) Insatiable sexual appetite
D) Gluttony
- 26. How does 'The Secret History' contrast with Procopius's public works?
A) It contradicts their positive portrayal
B) It reinforces their accounts
C) It ignores the same events
D) It focuses on different periods
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