- 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) Basil II
B) Constantine the Great
C) Justinian I
D) Heraclius
- 2. Why did Procopius keep 'The Secret History' hidden during his lifetime?
A) It was written in a secret code
B) Fear of execution for criticizing the emperor
C) It was an unfinished draft
D) It contained military secrets
- 3. What major pandemic occurred during Justinian's reign that Procopius documented?
A) The Black Death
B) The Spanish Flu
C) The Plague of Justinian
D) The Antonine Plague
- 4. Procopius accuses Justinian and Theodora of being:
A) Demons in human form
B) Foreign agents
C) Illiterate rulers
D) Religious heretics
- 5. How does Procopius describe Justinian's tax policies?
A) Ruthless and impoverishing
B) Fair and balanced
C) Generous to the poor
D) Non-existent
- 6. Which famous Byzantine general's wife does Procopius criticize for adultery?
A) Irene
B) Sophia
C) Theodora
D) Antonina (wife of Belisarius)
- 7. What was the original language of 'The Secret History'?
A) Greek
B) Syriac
C) Arabic
D) Latin
- 8. When was 'The Secret History' first discovered and published?
A) In the 19th century
B) 17th century in the Vatican Library
C) During Procopius' lifetime
D) In the Renaissance
- 9. Procopius served as an advisor to which famous general?
A) Narses
B) Justinian
C) Constantine
D) Belisarius
- 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) Plutarch
C) Thucydides
D) Procopius
- 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) Biography
B) Eulogy
C) Exposé
D) Chronicle
- 14. What was Procopius's main criticism of Justinian's tax policies?
A) Foreign control of taxes
B) Too little taxation
C) Unequal taxation
D) Excessive taxation
- 15. What supernatural explanation does Procopius suggest for Justinian's behavior?
A) That he was a demon
B) That he was divinely inspired
C) That he was possessed
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) The Theodosian Walls
B) The Great Palace
C) The Hippodrome
D) Hagia Sophia
- 17. Which modern historian's discovery brought 'The Secret History' to prominence in the 17th century?
A) Niccolò Alamanni
B) Jacob Burckhardt
C) Edward Gibbon
D) Theodor Mommsen
- 18. What personal vice does Procopius frequently attribute to Theodora?
A) Lust
B) Gluttony
C) Sloth
D) Greed
- 19. Which legal reform of Justinian does Procopius acknowledge in other works but criticize in 'The Secret History'?
A) The Codex Gregorianus
B) The Theodosian Code
C) The Edict of Milan
D) The Corpus Juris Civilis
- 20. What genre best describes 'The Secret History' by Procopius?
A) Epic poetry
B) Historical invective
C) Philosophical dialogue
D) Romantic tragedy
- 21. What religious controversy dominated Justinian's reign?
A) Monophysite controversy
B) Arian controversy
C) Great Schism
D) Iconoclasm
- 22. Which Vandal kingdom did Belisarius conquer for Justinian?
A) North Africa
B) Gaul
C) Spain
D) Britain
- 23. What was the Nika Revolt that Procopius documents?
A) A peasant rebellion
B) A military coup attempt
C) A major chariot racing faction uprising
D) A religious uprising
- 24. Which Italian city did Belisarius recapture from the Ostrogoths?
A) Florence
B) Venice
C) Rome
D) Milan
- 25. What personal vice does Procopius attribute to Theodora?
A) Insatiable sexual appetite
B) Greed for jewels
C) Gluttony
D) Alcoholism
- 26. How does 'The Secret History' contrast with Procopius's public works?
A) It ignores the same events
B) It reinforces their accounts
C) It contradicts their positive portrayal
D) It focuses on different periods
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