Seven for a Secret (27 page)

Afterword

Seven For A Secret
was inspired by certain events related by Procopius in his
Secret History.

Glossary

All dates are CE unless otherwise indicated

AGAMEMNON
In Greek mythology, leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War. To obtain favorable winds for the voyage to Troy, he sacrificed one of his children, an act leading to his murder by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover after Agamemnon returned from Troy, followed by Clytemnestra’s death at the hands of her two remaining children.

ARIAN
Adherent to Arianism, a Christian heresy. Propounded by Arius (c 256–336) it held that Christ was not divine but rather the first and highest created being.

ARISTOPHANES (c448–c388 BC)
One of the greatest Greek playwrights, his comedies were written in a broad and often satirical style. Eleven of his works survive, including LYSISTRATA (411 BC), in which the women of Sparta and Athens refuse their husbands’ conjugal rights in order to end the war between the two.

ATRIUM
Central area of a Roman house, open to the sky. An atrium not only provided light to rooms opening from it, but also held a shallow pool under the opening in its roof in order to catch rain water both for household use and decorative purposes.

AUGUSTAION
Square between the GREAT PALACE and the GREAT CHURCH.

AVERNUS
Lake in Campania, Italy. Regarded as an entrance to Hades, its name in proverbial use meant going down into the infernal regions was easy, but returning from them was much more difficult.

BATHS OF ZEUXIPPOS
Public baths in Constantinople, named after ZEUXIPPOS. Erected by order of Septimius Severus (146–211, r 193–211), the baths were a casualty of the NIKA RIOTS (532). They were rebuilt by JUSTINIAN I. Situated near the HIPPODROME, they were generally considered the most luxurious of the city’s baths and were famous for their statues of mythological figures and Greek and Roman notables.

BELISARIUS (c505–565)
Distinguished general who was instrumental in putting down the NIKA RIOTS. His exploits included retaking North Africa and later military action against the Persians and the Bulgarians. Belisarius led the campaign to reconquer Italy, which was ultimately successful after he was replaced by NARSES, upon recall to Constantinople as a result of palace intrigue. Accused of treachery, Belisarius was stripped of power, but later restored to favor.

BERYTUS
Prominent law school in what is now Beirut.

BLUES
See FACTIONS.

CENOBITE
Member of a religious community.

CHALKE
One of many structures destroyed during the NIKA RIOTS and rebuilt by JUSTINIAN I. The main entrance to the GREAT PALACE, its roof was tiled in bronze. Its interior had a domed ceiling, and was decorated with mosaics of JUSTINIAN I and THEODORA, as well as military triumphs, including those of BELISARIUS.

CISTERNS
Constantinople had difficulty supplying sufficient water to its populace, especially when under siege. To this end, a number of cisterns were built in various parts of the city, some above ground and others underground, often below buildings. These cisterns stored rainwater as well as water brought in by aqueducts.

CITY PREFECT
High ranking urban official.

CODEX
A bound book.

CONCRETE
Roman concrete, consisting of wet lime, volcanic ash, and pieces of rock, was used for a wide range of applications. One of the oldest remaining Roman concrete buildings is the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, Italy, built during the first century BC.

DALMATIC
Loose over-garment worn by the Byzantine upper classes.

DEMOSTHENES (384–322 BC)
Considered by many to be the foremost Greek orator. Having spoken out against the growing danger posed by the Macedonians, after the triumph of their general Antipater (398–319 BC) he committed suicide rather than fall into enemy hands.

DIGEST
Part of the definitive codification of Roman law ordered by JUSTINIAN I. The Corpus Juris Civilis (Body of the Law) as it is now known was issued between 529 and 535. It consisted of The Institutes, a basic introduction to the law; the Digest, which included selections from classical jurists; and the Codex, dealing with legislation dating from the reign of Hadrian (76–138, r 117–138) onward. The Novels, a collection of legislation issued by JUSTINIAN I, were added between 535 and 565. This codification served as the foundation for present day civil law in most European countries and those whose legal systems are based thereon.

ELISABETH THE WONDERWORKER (fl 5th century)
Born in Thrace, Elisabeth distributed the wealth she inherited from her parents to the poor and entered a convent in Constantinople. Credited with numerous miracles, she is buried in the same city.

EUTROPIUS
See JOHN CHRYSOSTOM.

EUNUCH
Eunuchs played an important role in the military, ecclesiastical, and civil administrations of the Byzantine Empire. Many high offices were held by eunuchs.

EXCUBITORS
GREAT PALACE guards.

FACTIONS
Supporters of either the BLUES or the GREENS, taking their names from the racing colors of the faction they supported. Great rivalry existed between them, and they had their own seating sections at the HIPPODROME. Brawls between these factions were not uncommon. and occasionally escalated into city-wide riots.

GREAT CHURCH
Colloquial name for the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia). One of the world’s great architectural achievements, the Hagia Sophia was completed in 537, replacing the church burnt down during the NIKA RIOTS (532).

GREAT PALACE
Situated in the southeastern part of Constantinople, it was not one building but rather many, set amidst trees and gardens. Its grounds included barracks for the EXCUBITORS, ceremonial rooms, meeting halls, the imperial family’s living quarters, churches, and housing provided for court officials, ambassadors, and various other dignitaries.

HERO OF ALEXANDRIA (fl 1st century AD)
Egyptian mathematician and inventor, also known as Heron of Alexandria. His writings included works on surveying, water clocks, geometry, and engineering. His Pneumatics describes how to construct useful, unusual, or amusing devices such as musical instruments played by air or water, a solar-operated fountain, a self-trimming lamp, and automatic wine dispensers.

GREENS
See FACTIONS.

HIPPODROME
U-shaped race track near the GREAT PALACE. The Hippodrome had tiered seating accommodating up to a hundred thousand spectators. It was also used for public celebrations and other civic events.

HORMISDAS
Hormisdas Palace, home of JUSTINIAN I and THEODORA before he became emperor.

HYPOCAUST
Roman form of central heating, distributing hot air through flues under the flooring.

ICONOSTASIS
Screen decorated with icons, separating the sanctuary from the rest of the church.

JOHN CHRYSOSTOM (c347–407)
Born in Antioch, St John Chrysostom (Greek, golden-mouth, a tribute to his eloquent preaching and writings) became PATRIARCH of Constantinople in 398. His piety, condemnation of the immorality of those in positions of power, and numerous charitable works made him well loved by the populace. He also made an unsuccessful attempt to save the life of the corrupt official Eutropius, when the latter fell from favor. Enemies in the imperial court, civil administration, and the church itself brought false accusations against John Chrysostom and he was exiled to Armenia. After unrest in Constantinople he was recalled to the city, but was soon again banished. Eventually ordered moved to an even more isolated location, he died during the journey. In 438 his remains were brought to Constantinople and buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles.

JOSHUA
During a battle in which the Israelites overcame an opposing army, Joshua commanded both sun and moon to stay their courses, which plea was granted (Joshua 10:12-14).

JUSTIN I (c450–527, r 518–527)
Born in the province of Dardania in present day Macedonia, Justin and two friends journeyed to Constantinople to seek their fortunes. All three joined the EXCUBITORS and Justin eventually rose to command them. He was declared emperor upon the death of Anastasius I (c430–518, r 491–518).

JUSTINIAN I (483–565, r 527–565)
Adopted nephew of JUSTIN I. His ambition was to restore the Roman Empire to its former glory and he succeeded in regaining North Africa, Italy, and southeastern Spain. His accomplishments included codifying Roman law (see DIGEST) and an extensive building program in Constantinople. He was married to THEODORA.

KALAMOS
Reed pen.

KEEPER OF THE PLATE
In addition to ceremonial items, imperial plate included tableware such as spoons, platters, ewers, goblets, and various types of dishes. In wealthier households and the GREAT PALACE these items were made of richly-decorated precious metals as well as glass and other materials.

LORD CHAMBERLAIN
Typically a EUNUCH, the Lord (or Grand) Chamberlain was the chief attendant to the emperor and supervised most of those serving at the GREAT PALACE. He also took a leading role in court ceremonial, but his real power arose from his close working relationship with the emperor, which allowed him to wield great influence.

LUCANIAN SAUSAGES
Sausages were a popular dish and spicy Lucanian sausages were considered the best type. These sausages are said to have been introduced to Roman society by soldiers returning from service in Lucania in southern Italy.

LYSISTRATA
See ARISTOPHANES.

MARCUS AURELIUS (121–180; r 161–180)
Adopted by his uncle by marriage Antoninus Pius (86–161, r 138–161) and succeeding him as emperor, Marcus Aurelius sought to improve conditions for slaves, criminals, and the poorer classes. However, he also persecuted Christians, viewing them as a threat to the empire. His Meditations expound upon his Stoic philosophy and sense of moral duty.

MASTER OF THE OFFICES
Chief administrator of the GREAT PALACE.

MESE
Main thoroughfare of Constantinople. Its entire length was rich with columns, arches, and statuary depicting secular, military, imperial, and religious subjects as well as fountains, churches, workshops, monuments, public baths, and private dwellings, making it a perfect mirror of the heavily populated and densely built city it traversed.

MILION
Situated near the GREAT CHURCH, it was the official milestone from which all distances in the empire were measured.

MIME
After the second century CE mime supplanted classical Roman pantomime in popularity. Unlike performers of pantomime, mimes spoke and did not wear masks. Their presentations featured extreme violence and graphic licentiousness and were strongly condemned by the Christian church.

MITHRA
Sun god. Born in a cave or from a rock, he slew the Great Bull, from whose body all animal and vegetable life sprang. Mithra is usually depicted wearing a tunic and Phrygian cap, his cloak flying out behind him, and in the act of slaying the Great Bull. He was also known as Mithras. His worship was spread throughout the Roman empire via its followers in various branches of the military.

MONOPHYSITES
Adherents to Monophysitism, which held Christ had only one nature and that it was divine.

NARSES (c480–574)
Serving JUSTINIAN I at various times as chamberlain and general, Narses, a EUNUCH, aided and ultimately replaced BELISARIUS as leader of the campaign to reconquer Italy.

NIKA RIOTS
Much of Constantinople was burnt down during these riots in 532, which took their name from the mob’s cry of Nika! (Greek, Victory!).

NUMMI (singular: nummus)
Smallest copper coin during the early Byzantine period.

PALACE OF LAUSOS
Named after its owner and destroyed by fire in 475, the palace is now known only from its appearance in literary works. It was famous for its collection of Hellenic sculpture, including works by PRAXITELES.

PATRIACH
Head of a diocese or patriarchate.

PLATO’S ACADEMY
Plato (428–347 BC) founded his academy in 387 BC. Situated on the northwestern side of Athens, its curriculum included natural science, mathematics, and training for public service. Along with other pagan schools it was closed in 529 by order of JUSTINIAN I.

POLYCLITUS (fl 5th century BC)
Greek sculptor, also known as Polykleitos. He created a number of bronze works, notably of athletes, and was also responsible for a highly praised gold and ivory Hera. His statue of a spear-carrier illustrated his theories on the body’s ideal proportions and the representation of balanced movement in sculpture. None of his works survive and they are now known only through references in literature, depictions on coins, or Roman copies.

POLYTHEMUS
In Greek mythology, the one-eyed giant blinded by Odysseus.

PRAXITELES (fl 4th century BC)
Considered one of greatest Greek sculptors, Praxiteles’ subjects were often taken from mythology. Aphrodite of Cnidus was his most celebrated statue. However, as is the case of all but one of his works, only descriptions and copies of the Aphrodite remain. The only surviving marble known to have been created by Praxiteles is Hermes Carrying the Infant Dionysus.

PREFECT
See CITY PREFECT.

PROCOPIUS (d 565)
Born in Caesarea in Palestine, he was BELISARIUS’ secretary and advisor and accompanied him on his campaigns. Procopius’ writings include De Bellis (552, supplemented in 554), an eight volume history of the military campaigns of JUSTINIAN I, and De Aedificiis (561), six books describing numerous buildings erected by order of JUSTINIAN I. His scurrilous Anecdota, also known as The Secret History, relates scandalous and libelous tales about the imperial couple, members of the court, and other high personages. The Anecdota, thought to have been written in the mid or late 550s, was published posthumously.

REPENTANCE
PROCOPIUS records THEODORA founded a convent refuge for former prostitutes. Situated on the Asian shore, it was known as Metanoia, from the Greek, a change of heart or mind, although in this application usually translated as meaning repentance.