Procopius and the Persian Wars
This thesis takes as its focus book I of Procopius' Persian Wars in an attempt to investigate both the events it describes and the way in which they are reported. A two-fold approach has therefore been employed, on the one hand dealing with the actual events, and on the other with Procopius' handling of them compared to that of other sources. While the first chapter thus considers Procopius himself and the genre of 'classicising' history, the second provides the fifth-century background to the events. Subsequent chapters generally consider the events in question first, before going on to examine Procopius' account in detail. The third chapter investigates Procopius' information on Sasanian history and the Hephthalite Huns, which is remarkably detailed. The following chapter considers his account of the war waged against the Persians under the Emperor Anastasius (502-506), and concludes that he is offering a very partial account. Chapters five and six consider the centrepiece of Persian Wars I: the campaigns of 530 and 531, including Belisarius' victory at Dara and defeat at Callinicum. Close comparison with the chronicler John Malalas is undertaken in the case of the latter battle. Chapter seven analyses Procopius'
Greatrex, Geoffrey
History
Procopius and the Persian Wars. This thesis takes as its focus book I of Procopius' Persian Wars in an attempt to investigate both the events it describes and the way in which they are reported. A two-fold approach has therefore been employed, on the one hand dealing with the actual events, and on the other with Procopius' handling of them compared to that of other sources. While the first chapter thus considers Procopius himself and the genre of 'classicising' history, the second provides the fifth-century background to the events. Subsequent chapters generally consider the events in question first, before going on to examine Procopius' account in detail. The third chapter investigates Procopius' information on Sasanian history and the Hephthalite Huns, which is remarkably detailed. The following chapter considers his account of the war waged against the Persians under the Emperor Anastasius (502-506), and concludes that he is offering a very partial account. Chapters five and six consider the centrepiece of Persian Wars I: the campaigns of 530 and 531, including Belisarius' victory at Dara and defeat at Callinicum. Close comparison with the chronicler John Malalas is undertaken in the case of the latter battle. Chapter seven analyses Procopius'
persian_wars take focus book persian_wars attempt_investigate event describes way report two_fold therefore employ one_hand deal actual event handling compare source first thus considers genre history second provide fifth_century background event subsequent generally_consider event question first_examine account detail third investigates information sasanian history remarkably detail follow considers account war wag emperor conclude offer partial account consider persian_wars campaign include victory defeat close comparison chronicler john undertaken case latter battle analysis