Free Procopius Take On Justinian’s Ambitions Essay Sample

Justinian I is an emperor commonly known as Justinian the Great tried to regain Rome’s former glory during his reign. He planned to do this by recapturing the Western half of which constitutes Rome’s former glory. There were also very numerous renovations and restorations which occur that make cultural and social ascensions. He also devised many formal and innovative civil laws which became the basis for much modern civil law in many states. His works and actions towards Rome’s restoration to its former glory made many historians call him the last Roman. Among the historians who wrote about the era of Justinian, the most prominent one is Procopius who wrote many revealing and enlightening part of the Justinian history. Procopius wrote several books even some which actually contradicts and disagrees with many other historical references. For me Procopius Secret History revealed his innermost and deepest hatred towards the reign of Justinian I. The messages he wants to send were commonly subliminal and it is logical to save himself from future destruction by allowing some reservation about the accusations and interpretations that Justinian I, his wife and Belisarius (Justinian’s overall officer in charge). Procopius for me seems to despise Justinian for all the actions he was trying to make even that with regards to Rome’s restoration even though it was critically acclaimed by many other historians as noble or impressive at the least. A standpoint coming from Procopius maybe will be further understood by thinking like a historian. Even if it can be said that a third person perspective with no bias inclining towards anyone or any idea would constitute a great narration of events in History, we can still appreciate that Procopius is shackled by the fact that there are greater powers overseeing his works and that his works must remain faithful to the well being of those greater powers which on this case is Justinian I. The repetitive suppression of ideas and the underwhelming flow of truth would definitely give off a negative feedback especially to the pride and dignity of Procopius. All these simultaneously happen and that may have caused Procopius to write a disillusioned version of the reign of Justinian I. This reaction of Procopius is what I believed most genuine ad free of limiting boundaries relative to all his works. And even though on this book Secret History he still made sure it cannot be used against him in the future, gives subliminal hint of a great foresight to a tragedy that may occur towards the end of Justinian I reign. Procopius think and firmly believes that Justinian I rule and empowerment will all end in a revolution or conspiracy and the fact that he believes this only show a great distrust.
There can be several interpretations and meaning to how Procopius might really think about Justinian I and all his actions towards the renovation and reclamation of Rome’s former glory. On one hand it can be that Procopius like many other historians revered and praise Justinian I nobility and valour in trying to regain a glory lost. But for me it is the other way around. I base my opinions and belief on the fact that a historian has his own pride and that there is always a deeper emotions and reservation to anything especially for intellectuals of great epoch like Procopius himself. He has written several books and many of those are considered great literature. I cannot picture Procopius as a plain and easy to read type of person and this all the more supports that he is more than plain sight. Ultimately he is someone of deep reservations and I interpret those as his genuine take on Justinian’s reign. And I believe he hated Justinian I and all the actions he made even with the noblest cause as a frame.