THE HISTORY OF THE WARRES Of the Emperour JUSTINIAN IN EIGHT BOOKS .

Of the Persian , II. Vandall , II. Gothicke , IV.

Written in Greek by PROCOPIVS OF CAESAREA . AND Englished by Henry Holcroft , Knight .

LONDON , Printed for Humphrey Moseley , and are to be sold at his shop at the Prince's Armes in St Pauls Church-yard . 1653.

AMidst the throng of Historians , we have very few who were personally concerned in the actions they write of : few having , like Caesar , wrote their own Commentaries : Nay , the greatest part were not then in being ; and so their Reports are but Conjectures , and their Books , transmitted to Posterity , are their Divination rather than their History . And , alass , those few who were Contemporary to their own story , how biased are their Traditions ! how are they commonly so faction'd and sided , that their Relations are but their Interests ; delivering downwards not what they knew ; but what they inclined to . And if any one amongst them be so unbiased , that he have no partial bent of his own , yet the awe which Princes or Generals have upon him , makes him many times fear , that his Truth shall be his Gaol , or Exile ; all which considering , the wary Author writes not a History , but his own Safety . But Procopius ( as every one knows ) was not onely alive in the times which he wrote of , but did for many yeares survive not onely the finishing of his History , but the publication also ; and was a very material concerned Agent in all these Wars . And for his Impartial writing , take first his own word for it , where he saies about the beginning of all , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. He conceived indeed that Eloquence was decent in an Oratour , and that Poets might be excused for their Fables , but an Historian must vent nothing but Truth : And then he goes on ; Wherefore he hath not spared his dearest friends , and be their faults committed upon what terms they will , he fails not to charge them home with them . But if his own assertion will not serve the turn , goe but along with him in his History , and thou shalt see , that ( while Agathias and Epiphanensis , two learned Writers , about the same time with Procopius , who if they chance to let any thing fall to the discredit of Justinian , or the Senators , they do it with exceeding great temper and caution , were yet fain to conceal their Commentaries with Mauritius the Emperour ) Procopius freely layes about him , sweetens no mans vices , cloaks no mans miscarriage , but impartially discoursing of Justinian , and the great ones , doth as much arraign , as relate them to posterity . He severely indites John the Pretorian Prosect of flat impiety , Tribomanus the Questor of grating avarice , Arethas the General for his deceitfull and faithless wit ; and then he recounts the particular Bands of Souldiers , the several Garrisons and Cities , which became either a prey to the enemy , or were utterly destroyed by the base and unworthy demeanour of Bessas , Acacius , and the other Questor . He solemnly rebukes Verus for his intemperance , Sergius for his haughty disdain and effeminacy , Maximinus for his sloth , and his general ignorance in Martial affairs . And which is yet much more than all the rest , the gallant Belisarius , whose wise and valiant conduct ( to omit his many other glorious atchievements ) did reduce two Kings , and brought them captives to Constantinople , and to whose fame and renown the whole History seems to be one entire Sacrifice , did but once manage his affairs amiss , and he hears sharply of it from Procopius ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. Belisarius then returned to Constantinople with disrepute ; for during five whole years together , he could gain no footing in Italy , but in all that time was forced to waft himself by stealth from one Port-town to another ; whereupon the enemy did subdue both Rome her self , & all other places with greater security . And as for Perusia , a chief City in Tuscany , he left it straitly besieged , and it was afterwards taken by the enemy , whilst he marcht for Constantinople . Nor doth Justinian himself escape his chastisement ; for he often inculcates his unworthy deteining the Souldiers pay , his sleepy neglect of Military preparations , and his profuse reception of the vilest Barbarian , Isdigunas the Persian Ambassadour . How he handles his vices elsewhere , concerns not our present purpose ; but evident it is , that all the countenance and indulgence , all the promotions and advancements ( hereafter mentioned ) bestowed upon him by the Emperour , were looked upon by Procopius , as encouragements to serve , not slatter his Prince ; and as the rewards of his Loyalty , not the bribes of his Secresie . And all this did Procopius publish , the parties themselves being then alive . Which severity of his , as it cannot chuse but reconcile a great opinion and commendation of his veracity , so is it no emergency of hatred or calumny , but of clear dealing and integrity ; not his Satyr against the Persons , but his just remorse for the Vices .

But though Procopius did publish this History in his own life time , yet it hath since been the fate of this ( as Nicolaus Alemannus observes , not of this onely , but of all the other writings of this worthy Author ) to be exposed maime , and mangled to the world . For though it was at first presented to Justinian the Roman Emperour by Procopius himself , and by him also dispersed in its native integrity , whereby it became the delight and darling of the whole Empire ; Yet this happiness befell it for many hundred years before Printing was known . For the first man that committed it to the Press , was Leonardus Aretinus , who published that part of it which doth relate to the Gothick Wars ; and in that also he put a trick upon the World , much misbeseeming so learned a man ; for he quite suppressed the Greek copy , and concealing the right Authors name , set forth a Latine Translation of his own , pretending it to be a Collection compiled by himself out of several Writers , and stiling it De Bello Italico , A Tract concerning the Wars of Italy . Now the Greek Copy of this Translation of Aretinus doth Blondus Flavius recount to have been by his industry first brought into Italy . But he for his part , since his copy wants some passages , of which we are now provided , and seeing he inveighs against some things which we find to be currante and justifiable , in those Editions which are abroad ; was either deluded by the old Manuscript which he had by him , or else by the person who translated it for him . For he might very wel have forborn his censure , seeing he confesses himself to be altogether ignorant in the Greek Tongue . Christophorus Persona resenting the injury done to Procopius by that Addition of Leonardus , did indeed restore him to his right again , calling the Book by his name , and translating it out of the Original Greek . And yet his Edition also is lame and infirm , being deprived of many parts . After all these , Raphael Volateranus did publish in Latine the remaining Books , namely of the Vandal and Persian Wars ; but he also made use of as imperfect a Copy as Persona did . So that neither of them , though they were both Library-keepers of the Vatican in Rome , did translate out of the Vatican Copy .

And now , Reader , since the imposture of some , and the ignorance or misfortune of others , hath till of late delivered this Author to posterity either as a spurious issue , or at best a cripple ; Consider how much thou art indebted to the memory of the deceased Knight , the learned Translator ; who hath been so carefull to hand it over to thee , not onely rendred in thy own language , that so thou mayest the better understand it ; but also conferred and examined by the most Authentick Copies , that so thou mayst the safer credit it . The Greek Edition which he hath translated for thee , is that of David Hoeschelius , who being about to set forth this History , did first furnish himself with three several Manuscripts of the same Book ; one out of the Duke of Bavaria's Librarie , the other two sent him by Joseph Scaliger , and Isaac Casaubon , both which had undergone their judicious Masters Castigations before . Hoeschelius made choice of the Bavarian Copy , finding it the most perfect and entire of the three . But so , as where ever he met with any various Readings in the other two , he hath placed them in the Margin .

In the Translation of these Books of Procopius into English , Sir Henry Holcroft doth exercise the same judicious liberty which Alemannus takes to himself , in rendring the Arcana Historia , written by the same Author , into Latine ; not confining himself to the strict words of the Author ( a course taken even by St. Jerom himself ) but giving faithfully his sense and meaning : Well knowing , that all Languages have their peculiar Idioms , which being rendred word by word , would make a strange confusion , and impropriety in that Language into which they are cast . And though the Learned Knight be not ( as I have sayd ) so impertinently punctual to match the Author word by word , yet the Reader may be assured , that he hath most severely pursued his intentions ; so that if Procopius were now alive , and skilled in our Language , it would never repent him , that his Book speakes English . And though I shall not ( with Alemannus ) charge Procopius himself with the imputation of Tautologies , and too prodigal Periphrases ( allowing much to the luxuriance of the Greek tongue ) yet I can safely ascertain the Reader , he shall find this discourse far more contract and close , than in the Author himself ; and so his expectation shall not linger so long , e'r it be satisfied with the Events : And that nevertheless , he shall perceive no Material , nor Circumstance omitted : As the Logicians confined Fist doth strike as smart , and as thorough a blow , as the diffused Orators expanded Palm .

Where the injury of Time , or neglect of Transcribers hath left any breach , or Chasm in the Greek Copy ( which in several places of this History doth unhappily befall ) the knowing Translator hath supplyed the defect out of the Latine copies . And where the Translator himself hath suffered any impair , or casually committed some mistakes , they are both relieved by the able pen of Mr. Edmund Chilmead , by his exact comparing of the English with the Greek .

I shall now proceed to acquaint the Reader with some farther account of the Author , and this History . Procopius was born in Caesarea , a City of Palestine , and in the reign of Anastasius the Emperour came to Constaminople ; where approving himself a person of excellent parts , general Learning , and exceeding great Prudence , he soon turned the eyes of the chiefest Romans upon him . Insomuch that Justine the elder , when his Empire was in very great streights ( the Persians being then Victors over the Romans in War ) did prefer Procopius to Belisarius the General , to be of his Counsel . Suidas stiles him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Secretary to Belisarius ; but He himself , who best knew his own employment , tels us about the beginning of the Persian History ; that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Belisarius his Assessor . What profession he was of before he arrived at this , and other places of trust and honour , is variously delivered by several Authors . Evagrius , and Agathias call him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Oratorem ; Suidas , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . To explain which words , saith Hoeschelius , Ille est Orator , qui causas in concione , in foro , in senatu agit ; hic Latinis Rhetor , qui in scholis docet artem Oratoriam . Him the Latines call an Orator , who pleads at the Barre ; and him a Rhetorician , who teaches the art of Rhetorick in the Schooles . Blondus , and Sabellicus conceit he was a Physitian : But the three former are doubtless so far in the right , as they all agree that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an Orator , or Lawyer , and that by reason of his employment under Belisarius . For , as Alemannus judiciously observes , Ex eo ordine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Consiliarii , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Assessores , exercitus ducibus summisque Magistratibus dabantur . Counsellors and Assessors were preferred to the Generals of Armies , and chief Magistrates , out of that Profession . The reason why some Authors are of so different judgment in their opinions concerning the Profession of Procopius , may possibly be , because there were three of that name , Procopius Gazaeus , Procopius Sophista , and our Procopius Caesariensis : Now the truth is , the two former are both called Sophistae , Rhetoricians , and Gazaei too , being both of Gaza ; and all three were likewise Country-men ; both Gaza , and Caesarea being in Palestine . The first of these , and ours , lived both in Justinians time ; by whom Procopius , our Author , was not only continued in his employment under Belisarius , being never permitted upon any terms , either in the expeditions into Italy or Africa , to be removed from the General , but was prized at so high a rate , that Justinian did conceive the Roman Territories were as much established , and propagated by the integrity and advise of Procopius , as by the valour and prowess of Belisarius . And no sooner was Belisarius called out of Africa , upon his late Victories compleated there , but Procopius was sent to Carthage to Solomon , the then General , to secure those parts ; which being but newly subdued , were therefore capable of Revolt and Rebellion against the Roman subjection . What employments he had in Persia , Italy , Rome , Naples , and Syracuse , himself discovers in this History ; which several actions of his , though he mentions very modestly , and by the by onely , as if he reputed them scarce worthy the relation ; yet sure we are , they purchased for him so great renown in the Common-wealth , that Justinian did thereupon advance him to the dignity of those persons who the Romans did call Illustres ; & hence it is that Suidas begins his account of Procopius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. Procopius Illustris of Caesarea in Palestine . After this he was preferred to be a Senator also , & at last having put forth all this History , he arrived at the highest dignity that can befall any Senator , namely ad Vrbanam Praefecturam , to be Prefect of the City ; and this was about the 25. of Justinians Reign . About which time he finished that Book , which he durst not then publish , and therefore calls it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , his Secret History . And now Justinian , having for ( near upon ) seventeen years together delighted himself in having this History of his Wars divulged , and read by all the Nations subject to the Roman Scepter , enjoyned our Author to write that Book which he calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Of the Buildings erected by the Emperour Justinian .

These are the known Books of Procopius , two whereof being not to our present purpose ( though Sir Henry hath ( as I am informed by those that should know ) translated the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or Secret History ( a book which none of the Ancients met with , but Suidas only , as appears by Evagrius , Agathias , Epiphanensis , Simeon Metaphrastes in vita S. Sabae , Porphyrius , and Photius in his Bibliothecâ as neither many other Learned men who wrote since Suidas , as Zonaras , Cedrenus , Anonymus in his Chronicon Vatican . & others , amongst whom was Cardinal Baronius , who could never attain the sight of it , though he much desired it & to my own knowledge , Agathias his History , who takes up the story , where Procopius leavs off : All which may see the light , kind Reader , if thy acceptation of this encourage their Impression ) that is , the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , we shall not here render an account of . This History was by the Author divided into 8 books ; 7 of them , namely those two concerning the Persian , those other two of the Vandal , & the three first of the Gothick War , as himself affirms in the fourth book , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , were already divulged and known throughout all the Roman Dominions . But as to the certain time wherein they were severally published , Writers afford us no certainty . Yet this is most certain , that the books of the Persian and Vandal Wars , and a great part of the books of the Gothick , were finished before the death of Theodora the Empress , that is , before the 22 year of Justinians reign : for in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he writes , that he was enforced in this History to conceal the trains which Theodora laid to destroy Amalasuntha , Queen of the Goths , for fear of Theodora . And likewise our Author makes mention of the publication of all the first seven books , before the 26 of Justinians Reign , in his eighth book of these Wars ; which book was written in the 27 of Justinians Reign .

But this eight book is not so properly called the fourth of the Gothick Wars , because it is indeed Historia quaedam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Miscella , as Alemannus stiles it ; or as the Author himself , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Varia , a Miscellanie , or History conteining the Wars of Justinian with divers Nations . And this eighth book was published about the very time wherein it was written , viz. in the 27 of Justinians Reign .

To conclude , what great profit and delight is like to arise to the Reader in perusing this History , let himself imagine , when he shal meet here with Prudent Letters & Dispatches from Princes and Generals ; Wise Laws and Provisions for the publique Safety ; Politick Leagues and Confederacies to secure Interests ; Elegant Speeches and Exhortations to animate the Souldier ; Notable Examples of Vices and Virtures ; Inevitable Stratagems to circumvent Adversaries : Lively Descriptions of the Scituations of Countries , Cities , Buildings , Hils , Seas , Rivers , and Fountains ; Various and Interchangeable Turns and Inconstancies of Wars and Fortunes ; in a word , all the Treasury and Wardrobe that can inrich and beautifie a History . Take one only remarkable passage concerning the last , in that City , which had been long the aim and envy of the world , Rome her self . Alaricus the Goth gains her from the Romans ; Genserick the Vandal doth force her from the Goths ; Theodorick the Goth regains her to the Goths ; Belisarius the Roman General from the Goths : Totilas the Goth from the Romans again : Belisarius receives her sackt and forsaken by the Goths : Totilas triumphs in her second Conquest : Narses the Eunuch subdues both Tolilas and her . So that in this very History , she is eight several times lost , and recovered .