Of the Buildings of Justinian

Procopius of Caesarea, the sixth-century historian of Justinian's wars, here turns from battles to building. His account opens in Constantinople with the great church of Hagia Sophia, then moves outward across the empire through churches, fortresses, bridges and waterworks. It is frankly a work of praise for the emperor, and an intriguing companion to the same author's scathing Secret History. Read with that in mind, it remains one of the richest surviving sources for how the late Roman world looked and was defended.

This is a facsimile reprint of the London edition of 1888, with notes by the Victorian scholars C.W. Wilson and Hayter Lewis and with colour illustrations. It will suit anyone drawn to Byzantium, ancient architecture or the history of the eastern Mediterranean, and anyone who likes to read a great age through the words of someone who saw it rise.