On the other hand, it has been argued that Procopius prepared the "Secret History" as an exaggerated document out of fear that a conspiracy might overthrow Justinian's regime, whichas a kind of court historianmight be reckoned to include him. The unpublished manuscript would then have been a kind of insurance, which could be offered to the new ruler as a way to avoid execution or exile after the coup. If this hypothesis were correct, the "Secret History" would not be proof that Procopius hated Justinian or Theodora.