By exposing the perversion repression corruption & injustice at the heart of Justinian's regime Prokopios' The Secret History destroyed forever that emperor's reputation as the great & benevolent ruler of a vast Byzantine state Faithfully rendered here in blunt & idiomatic English Prokopios' tell-all is as shocking today as it was in the sixth century Kaldellis' substantial Introduction addresses among other topics the historical background to The Secret History ; Prokopios' literary style & major themes; & the relationships between Prokopios Justinian & Empress Theodora Maps genealogies a glossary & a selection of related texts (including excerpts from Prokopios' Wars & Buildings & several contemporary documents) enhance & support the reading of this scandalous & suspenseful book