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You have now read two excerpts from Procopius' The Secret History about Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora, which was Procopius' response to their iron control of the historians and scholars in their empire. Look at the imperial portraits of the couple that survive from San Vitale on pages 305-308 of The Human Record.

Do the mosaics and the account depict/describe the same people?

Compare and contrast the official portrayal of Justinian and Theodora with the unofficial description written by Procopius. Use the introduction from The Human Record to help you decipher the portraits' meaning (such as the color of the clothes, etc.) and to formulate your argument.



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Final answer:

Procopius' Secret History contrasts with the official portrayal of Justinian and Theodora in the San Vitale mosaics, showcasing differing perspectives on the rulers.


Explanation:

Procopius' Secret History provides a negative portrayal of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, describing them as conniving and deceitful rulers, with Theodora depicted as coming from a scandalous background.

In contrast, the imperial mosaics at San Vitale in Ravenna portray Justinian and Theodora in a positive light, bedecked in imperial purple and with lavish crowns, emphasizing their importance as rulers.

This stark difference between Procopius' account and the official portrayal in the mosaics highlights the challenge of interpreting historical sources and the need to consider cultural context and possible biases.


Learn more about Procopius' Secret History and the San Vitale mosaics here:

https://brainly.com/question/38721316


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