Heroes, Homer, and Historiography on the Late Antique Battlefield: Constructing Courage in Procopiusâ Wars

Philip Rance

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Chapter 18 Heroes, Homer, and Historiography on the Late Antique Battlefield: Constructing Courage in Procopiusâ Wars

äºBrill's Companion to Courage and Cowardice in Ancient Warfare

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Philip Rance

Philip Rance
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Page Range:: 480â537

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004749290_019

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Abstract

While scholarship on Roman martial virtues has understandably focused on preceding eras of imperial expansion and supremacy, the late Roman Empire too did not lack heroes. This chapter explores some literary, historical and cultural dimensions of courage on the late antique battlefield. A preliminary survey of scholarly approaches to the conception and portrayal of bravery, morale, heroism and masculinity introduces source materials and evaluates challenges of definition, terminology and interpretation specific to late antiquity. The study primarily examines a prominent specimen of classicizing historiography, Procopiusâ Wars, the longest and most elaborate account of the many conflicts of Justinianâs reign (527â565), written by an eyewitness-participant. Not only does Wars overall accentuate individualized attributes and abilities of charismatic leadership and martial skill, but also Procopiusâ depiction of battle disproportionately magnifies and dramatizes conspicuous feats, wounds and deaths, especially in vivid episodes of monomachy, which evince a peculiarly âheroicâ sensibility without precise precedents or parallels in Greek or Roman historical writing. As Procopiusâ work dominates modern perceptions of warfare towards the end of antiquity, this trait demands explanation in terms of both artistic objectives and historical realities. Literary and philological analysis investigates whether and in what ways Procopius fashions a consciously âHomerizingâ vision of combat, in spirit, if not in language or substance, and/or draws other archaic notions and motifs of valor from ancient historical literature, notably Herodotus, as part of a wider allusive agenda to assert the unprecedented magnitude and significance of recent wars. Concurrently, as contemporary sources more briefly record such exploits, a historical inquiry considers to what extent Procopius also reflects a âreal-worldâ martial culture, especially given his personal and professional connections with Ã©lite warriors, whose ethos, experiences and perspectives may thus pervade his narrative. Comparisons with works in other âhigh-culturalâ genres, particularly epic poetry, assist in identifying a broader âheroicâ aesthetic and addressing questions of literary taste and audience.

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Brill's Companion to Courage and Cowardice in Ancient Warfare

ä¸ç¼ï¼ Brill's Companions to Classical Studies, å·ï¼ 12and Brill's Companions to Classical Studies: Warfare in the Ancient Mediterranean World, å·ï¼ 12

ISBN:: 9789004749290

åºçç¤¾:: Brill

å°å·åºçæ¥æ:: 02 Dec 2025

Subjects
- Classical Studies
  - Ancient History
  - Greek & Latin Literature

Front Matter

Introduction

Part 1 Courage and Cowardice: Setting the Groundwork

Part 2 Philosophy

Part 3 Courage and Its Limits

Part 4 The Individual and the Collective

Part 5 Fear and Flight, Punishment and Reward

Epilogue

Back Matter

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Chapter 18 Heroes, Homer, and Historiography on the Late Antique Battlefield: Constructing Courage in Procopiusâ Wars

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Chapter 18 Heroes, Homer, and Historiography on the Late Antique Battlefield: Constructing Courage in Procopiusâ Wars

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