LOEB IS ALL YOU NEED -- PROCOPIO -- De Aedificiis --

Speranza

The Buildings of Justinian

Triumphal arch at the entrance to the Sangarius Bridge

Procopius's De Aedificiis is a panegyric on Justinian's building activity in the empire.

The first book may date to before the collapse of the first dome of Hagia Sophia in 557, but some scholars^[18] think that it is possible that the work postdates the building of the bridge over the Sangarius in the late 550s.

The De Aedificiis tells us nothing further about Belisarius, but it takes a sharply different attitude towards Justinian.

He is presented as an idealised Christian emperor who built churches for the glory of God and defenses for the safety of his subjects and who showed particular concern for the water supply.

He built new aqueducts as well as restoring those that had fallen into disuse.

Historians consider Buildings to be an incomplete work, due to evidence of the surviving version being a draft with two possible redactions.

Theodora, who was dead when this panegyric was written, is mentioned only briefly, but Procopius' praise of her beauty is fulsome.

The panegyric was likely written at Justinian's behest, however, and it is doubtful that the sentiments expressed are sincere.

Due to the panegyrical nature of the The Buildings, historians have discovered in several occasions discrepancies between claims made by Procopius and other primary sources.

A primary example is in Procopius starting the reign of Justinian in 518, which was actually the start of the reign of Justin I, Justinian’s predecessor and uncle.

This discrepancy can be seen as part of Procopius’ panegyric method, as it allowed him to credit buildings constructed under the rule Justin I as Justinian’s accomplishments.

In this context can be mentioned the renovations to the walls of Edessa after a flood in 525, along with several churches in the region, all of which were completed under Justinian's uncle.

Similarly, Procopius falsely credits Justinian for the extensive re-fortifications made in the cities of Tomis and Histria in Scythia Minor, along the Danubian frontier, actual accomplishments of Anastasius I, predecessor of Justin I.

 

^  Downey, G. (1947) "The Composition of Procopius, De Aedificiis." Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association 78: pp. 171–183; abstract from JSTOR

 

 Whitby, Michael (2006) "Procopian Polemics: a review of A. Kaldellis Procopius of Caesarea. Tyranny, History, and Philosophy at the End of Antiquity" The Classical Review 55 (2): pp. 648–

 

 Cameron, Averil. Procopius and the Sixth Century. London: Routledge, 1985.

 

 Croke, Brian and James Crow. "Procopius and Dara”. The Journal of Roman Studies. 73. (1983), 143-159.

 

 Whitby, Mary. "Procopius’ Buildings Book I: A Panegyrical Perspective” Late Antiquity. 8. (2000), 45-57.