The Original Secret History

This is the story of Procopius's Secret History Of Justinian - originally written around 550, but not published until 1623.

In this video we look at how Procopius wrote the text, how it survived, almost unknown, for 1,000 years, how it came to be published in the 1620s, and the extraordinary ramifications when it was.

00:00 Introduction
00:44 The Original Composition Of The Secret History
02:40 The Survival Of The Text In Greek Manuscripts
05:56 The Rediscovery And Publication Of The Secret History
08:23 Secret Histories Go Viral

I couldn't have made this video without the help of two works in particular. The first is Brian Croke's magisterial Procopius: From Manuscripts To Books: 1400-1850. The second is The Secret History In Literature, 1660-1820 which is edited by Rebecca Bullard and Rachel Carnell.

[theseriousprepper]

Somehow, the algorithm dropped me into your channel. It is good to see someone who’s not over the age of 60 surrounded by significant literature. I have subscribed. You give an old Professor Hope! Well done.

[finchlear]

Tom, It’s my hope that your appearances here on YouTube spark a love of reading and history in the youth of our world. We need a force like yourself with the love and passion for learning . You set a wonderful example . May you catch on like the plague.

[johnleake]

There's a suggestion that I rather like that suggests that the _Anekdota_ may have been written during the plague while Justinian was seen as likely to die. If so, Procopius may have been trying to distance himself from Justinian -- perhaps as Justinian's historian he was tied too closely to him -- and position himself for a new regime. After all, it's not as if invectives against emperors were not published -- just not against living ones.

[kurjan]

Excellent Tom, really excellent. Thank you. I find it fascinating that Procopius's Secret History is becoming popular again. Maybe it's the times we are living in and how Procopius was sending a warning through this book.

[RossParker]

Discovered you recently Tom. Really enjoy listening to your love of books and History. Thank you ❤

[tectorgorch]

Holy mackerel, I recently found a beautiful Folio edition of this at Moe's in Berkeley. Can't wait to crack it open.

[markl]

What a treasure your content is! I love history and finding the history in its honest form, not the polished, approved versions. You have a fan!

[mingng]

Have been following your shorts for a while appreciating your passion and knowledge… glad to see you’re going longer-form. Your channel deserves and I’m sure will accumulate a large following and I’m happy to be here relatively early! Keep up the great work.

[sahhaf]

This is one of the most impressive youtube videos I have ever watched...
A trail that had started in 550 ad's anatolia, passed through renaissance italy and reformation northern europe, and reached us today...

[klaire]

Thank you for all this, is amazing to learn all these details, to see the Books! I hope that whoever will buy these treasures will keep them safe.

[jayrey]

I'd love more of your long form work, it's a topic I know very little about and a curated dip into rare, important and interesting books, book related topics and frankly whatever you want to show us! Thank you for your work, already a channel I keenly follow.

[rsutton]

Very interesting! I really enjoy your short form videos so I knew a longer video would be exceptional.

[SillyTube]

Now, I just want to know what the heck Theodora did.

[maryannec.moravec]

Thank you for the remarkable video. I appreciate your passion and love seeing all the books. Good luck!

[WilliamKelly-ounm]

Wow ! Serendipitous synchronicity! Never heard of you, but I'm glad to have found you! Nice work ! Lux et Veritas 🙏🏻 ❤️‍🔥 🖖🏻!

[carl]

Hi @Tom Ayling, I just discovered your channel and i am all all about mysteries & secrets.I’m a hardcore fan of History Channel’s Curse Of Oak Island & the possible burial of massive Knights Templar treasure and possibly ancient christian relics from Jerusalem when they were the guardians of crusader pilgrims to the Holy Land & Jerusalem.Anyway I have always been blown away about how Justinian built such a massive incredible beautiful Church in Constantinople.I mean all European Cathedrals are mindblowing how they did stuff with no electricity & power tools.The massive spires & domes with such heavy stone work.I would very much be interested in your catalog.

[alexkerridge]

Fantastic video, thank you for making and uploading it! Love these untold stories from history!

[anthonywhite]

Another humdinger video. Thank you for sharing. Anthony Ireland.

[thinkingoverage]

Hey Tom! Found this video through your short. Unsolicited, but I think more people would’ve found this video if there was a link to this on the corresponding short. Really love your work!

[woofbarkyap]

Thank you so much for this. Love the long form!