by Mary Reed
Egyptian-born epic poet also noted for his epigrams.
DALMATIC
Loose overgarment.
EXCUBITORS
Imperial bodyguard.
FACTION
Supporters of the BLUE or GREEN chariot teams, taking their names from the racing colors of the team they favored. Great rivalry existed between them, and brawls between the factions were not uncommon, occasionally escalating into city-wide riots.
GALEN (c. 130 - c. 201)
Celebrated Greek physician whose writings on medical topics greatly influenced the profession for centuries.
GREAT CHURCH
Colloquial name for the Hagia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom). The first Great Church was dedicated in 360 and burnt down during civil unrest in 404. The rebuilt church was destroyed during the Nika Riots of 532 and replaced by the existing Hagia Sophia, constructed by order of Justinian.
GREENS
See FACTION
HIPPOCRATES (c. 460 BC - c. 377 BC)
Known today as the Father of Medicine, Greek physician Hippocrates was considered by his contemporaries to be one of the foremost practitioners of his profession.
HIPPODROME
U-shaped race track. It featured tiered seating accommodating up to a hundred thousand spectators. It was also used for public celebrations and other civic events.
NONNUS (fl. 5th century)
Greek poet. His epic Dionysiaca (Dionysius) is comprised of over forty books detailing the history of the god.
NUMMUS
Smallest copper coin in the early Byzantine period.
MITHRA
Sun god said to have been born in a cave or from a rock. Mithra is usually shown in the act of slaying the Great (or Cosmic) Bull, from which all animal and vegetable life sprang. A depiction of this scene was in every mithraeum. Mithra was also known as Mithras.
MITHRIDATUM
Legendary antidote against poisons, said to have been invented by Mithridates VI (d. 63 BC), ruler of Pontus on the southern coast of the Black Sea.
NIKA RIOTS
Much of Constantinople was burnt down in 532 during the riots. They took their their name from the rioters’ cry of Nika! (Victory!) and almost led to Justinian’s downfall.
PLINY THE ELDER (Gaius Plinius Secundus) (c. 23-79)
Roman naturalist and author. He died during an eruption of Vesuvius, having traveled to the area to observe the event.
PRAETORIAN PREFECT
Civil official responsible for a Praetorian Prefecture. There were two prefectures in Justinian’s time, the Prefecture of Illyricum and the Prefecture of the East, the latter of which John the Cappadocian headed. The prefect’s duties included collection of taxes, construction of public works, the public post, and the provisioning of the army.
SAMSUN’S HOSPICE
Founded by St. Samsun (d. 530), a physician and priest. Also known as Sampson or Samson the Hospitable, he is often referred to as the Father of the Poor because of his work among the destitute.
SEE THEODORA AT DAWN
According to the Secret History by Procopius (490? - c. 560) glimpsing Theodora was considered an ill omen, particularly if it happened at dawn.
SCHOLARAE
Imperial guard that by the time of Justinian had become largely ceremonial
SILENTARIES
Court officials whose duties were similar to those of an usher, and included guarding the room in which an imperial audience or meeting was being held.
STOLA
Ankle-length garment worn by women.
TESSERAE
Small cubes, usually of stone or glass, utilized in the creation of mosaics.
THREE CHAPTERS
Writings by three fifth century theologians concerning the nature of Christ. Justinian condemned the writings in an attempt to find common ground between religious factions. His efforts proved futile, however, resulting in a drawn out controversy and the eastern and western churches subsequently drifted apart.
TUNICA
Undergarment.
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