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Document Details : Title: Zur Datierung von Prokops Geheimgeschichte Author(s): BATTISTELLA, Florian Journal: Byzantion Volume: 89 Date: 2019 Pages: 37-57 DOI: 10.2143/BYZ.89.0.3287066 Abstract : The debate surrounding the date of Procopius’ Secret History has one question at its core: when did Justinian start ruling the Eastern Roman Empire? Usually, it is assumed based on the perspective of Procopius’ text that it was when Justin I became emperor in 518. Taking this year as the starting point and counting 32 years, a time-span Procopius mentions several times, the Secret History should be dated to 550. While this year is commonly accepted, some researchers suggest the year 559, counting from 527. This article analyses the different arguments for both propositions, and suggests that the surviving Secret History represents a version of the text which dates neither to 550 nor to 559, but to 553 or 554. |
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