Procopius of Caesarea (Prokopios of Caesarea) (?500-?562) wrote several histories in the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. His major work is the Wars (in eight volumes) which describes the campaigns of Justinian's attempt to reconquer the lands of the defunct western empire. One of Justinian's greatest generals in this effort was Belisarius, whom Procopius served as secretary and legal adviser from 527. He is an invaluable eyewitness since he accompanied his master on campaign until 540, and remained an informed observer afterwards, writing his histories in the 550s. Belisarius scored some brilliant successes in Africa, against the Vandals (533) and initially against the Ostrogoths in Italy (535-40). But during his second Italian campaign (544-50) Justinian grew impatient with his general and replaced him. Although he is inclined to stereotype the ‘barbarian’ adversaries that the Byzantines faced, Procopius has a good eye for detail. He provides some clear descriptions of battles, sieges, tactics, weapons, and equipment as well as an essential narrative chronology. His translated works are still in print in Loeb translations and provide profound insights into the warfare of his age.
Bibliography
- Cameron, Avril, Procopius and the 6th Century (Berkeley, 1985).
- Procopius of Caesarea, History of the Wars, trans. H. B. Dewing (Cambridge, Mass., 1935-40)
— Matthew Bennett
The Oxford Companion to Military History. Copyright © 2001, 2004 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
