Reviews

The Anecdota or Secret History by Procopius

bartimaeus2002's review against another edition

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3.0

Well, now we know one of the sources of GRRM's inspiration for GoT (minus the dragons of course)

szkafen's review against another edition

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4.0

Procopio previamente había parido dos obras casi panegíricas sobre Justiniano, y en esta Historia secreta saca a la luz sus verdaderos colores. Decir que les tenía tirria a emperador y emperatriz es quedarse corto. Me ha hecho mucha gracia lo mucho que despotrica y vocifea contra el matrimonio real y sus seguidores. Especial mención al capítulo sobre "Cómo Justiniano mató a un trillón de personas" (sic).

chaptainblood's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

cebec's review against another edition

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5.0

Finally uncovering the truth of the Byzantine empire from the first hand account of the * incomparable * Procopius. I had no idea that Justinian was not only a tyrant but a “vampire” and murderer of “trillions” as deemed by the poet himself. 11/10 game of thrones could never

lmcdonnell's review against another edition

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4.0

I preferred the parts about the demonic nature of women, but overall so funny and informative

auspea's review against another edition

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3.0

It's TMZ of the Roman Empire.

bleaklypositive's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.0

mdumont's review against another edition

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4.0

I LOVED this book. I've always loved medieval books that talk about scandal. Or rather, books the emperor would kill you for writing :). Procopius definitely disliked Justinian and Theodora. It gives me no end of amusement to read his real thoughts about them (and the general and his wife). This book is just so much fun.

jamiezakian's review against another edition

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5.0

Absolutely amazing. I can see so many similarities with the politics of then and the way things are run now. It's chilling, and enlightening.

darwin8u's review

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3.0

Doesn't quite rank with Herodotus, and definitely not close to Thucydides, etc. To be fair to Procopius, however, I probably should have read [b:History of the Wars|268692|History of the Wars, Volume I Books 1-2. (Persian War)|Procopius Of Caesarea|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173291058s/268692.jpg|1198219] first. This book reminds me of a score-settling memoir Dick Morris/Rumsfiled would write if either was serving Belisarius. Anyway, it was interesting even if a bit uneven and biased. It is amazing what you can still glean about a culture and time from this type of history.