He says that most of the departures from the historical record were done for dramatic purposes, such as the creation of Myakes as a companion and sounding board for Justinian, and changes to the religious debates of the time, which Turtledove believed would appear hopelessly obscurantist to most modern readers.
He argues that most deviations from historical records were done for dramatic effect, such as creating Myakes as a companion and confidant for Justinian, and altering the religious debates of the time, which he believes would seem excessively obscure to contemporary readers.