What was the relationship between Belisarius and Procopius?

Procopius was a prominent 6th-century Greek scholar and historian who accompanied the Byzantine general Belisarius on his military campaigns. Serving as Belisarius's legal advisor, Procopius documented these wars and became the principal historian of the era. His writings, including the History of the Wars and the Secret History, provide the primary contemporary accounts of Belisarius's life and military career.

What we know

• Procopius accompanied the Byzantine general Belisarius during Emperor Justinian's wars. [3]
• Procopius served as a legal advisor to Belisarius. [5]
• Procopius wrote about Belisarius and his campaigns in works such as the History of the Wars, On Buildings, and the Secret History. [3]

Still open

• Scholars debate the reliability of Procopius's Secret History, particularly regarding his accounts of Belisarius's wife, Antonina.

Where to go next

• how we knowWhat did Procopius write in the Secret History?
• whoHow did Antonina influence Belisarius's career?
• the bigger pictureWhat military campaigns did Belisarius lead under Justinian?
• whenWhat were the major wars of the Byzantine Empire in the sixth century?
• an unexpected connectionHow is Belisarius portrayed in historical fiction?

Sources

• [1]Belisarius (Wikidata Q174943) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Belisarius · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Procopius · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Count Belisarius · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Antonina (wife of Belisarius) · CC BY-SA 4.0