by Eric Mayer
Peter returned with Hypatia.
John stood up and addressed them. “I wanted to speak to both of you at the same time. As you well know, much has changed and sometimes in the face of change it is impossible to maintain our lives as they were. Therefore, as of today, you are no longer in my employment.”
Peter stared at John in disbelief.
Cornelia jumped to her feet. “John! I know this business with your friends has upset you but—”
“There is nothing to discuss. I have already chosen two of the estate employees as replacements.”
Peter finally managed to speak, sounding as if he had a noose around his neck. “I know I have caused problems, master—”
“I am no longer your master, Peter. You and Hypatia were not banished from Constantinople. You chose to come here. You are free to return if you wish. If, as I hope, you would prefer to stay, you may have Petrus’ house or Lucian’s, whichever would suit you best. I consider your long years of loyal service a fair price for either.”
Peter blinked in confusion. “But, but…master…”
Hypatia said nothing. For an instant she locked grateful tear-filled eyes with John’s, then pulled Peter firmly out of the room.
The rain was coming down harder now. Hand in hand, John and Cornelia watched it refresh the earth.
Glossary
All dates are CE unless otherwise indicated
ACROPOLIS
Fortified upper district of a Greek city.
ARTEMIS
Greek goddess of the hunt.
ATRIUM
Central area of a Roman house.
BRITOMARTIS
Cretan goddess known as the Lady of the Nets because while fleeing unwanted amorous attention she leapt from a cliff, landing in the net of a fisherman in whose boat she escaped to safety.
BITHYNIA
Roman province in Anatolia.
CHELIDON
Greater Celandine. Also known as swallowwort.
CODEX
Book with manuscript pages.
CONCRETE
Roman concrete was composed of lime, volcanic ash, and pieces of rock.
CORINTHIAN BRONZE
Compound metal also known as Corinthian brass. The method of its manufacture was reportedly lost, thus greatly increasing the value of existing artifacts constructed from it.
DERBE
Town in the Roman province of Lycaonia, Asia Minor.
DEW OF THE SEA
Rosemary.
EUNUCH
Eunuchs played important roles in the military, ecclesiastical, and civil administrations of the Byzantine Empire. Many high posts at the GREAT PALACE were typically held by eunuchs.
EXCUBITORS
Guard at the GREAT PALACE.
FALERNIAN WINE
Considered one of the finest Roman wines.
FIBULA
Brooch or clasp serving to fasten and ornament the clothing of both genders.
GREAT CHURCH
Colloquial name for the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) in Constantinople.
GREAT PALACE
Located in 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 for court officials, ambassadors, and various other dignitaries.
HIPPODROME
U-shaped racetrack next to the GREAT PALACE. The Hippodrome was also used for public celebrations and other civic events.
HOROLOGION
Also known as the Tower of the Winds. Dating from the first century BC, the octagonal structure still stands in Athens.
HYPOCAUST
Under-floor heating by distribution of hot air. The furnace used also heated water.
INSTITUTES
Serving as a textbook for law students, the Institutes formed part of JUSTINIAN I’s codification of Roman law.
ISAURIA
Roman province in Anatolia. Isaurians were a notoriously rebellious and warlike people.
JUSTINIAN I (483-565, r 527-565)
Emperor whose ambition was to restore the Roman Empire to its former glory. He succeeded in regaining North Africa, Italy, and southeastern Spain. Other accomplishments included codifying Roman law and an extensive building program in Constantinople. He was married to THEODORA.
KALAMOS
Reed pen.
LORD CHAMBERLAIN
Chief attendant to the emperor and supervisor of 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.
MEGARA
Located in Attica, Greece, its neighbors are Corinth and Athens.
MESE
Main thoroughfare of Constantinople, 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.
MITHRA
Persian sun god, also known as Mithras. Born in a cave or from a rock, he is usually depicted wearing a tunic and Phrygian cap, his cloak flying out behind him, in the act of slaying the Great Bull from whose blood all animal and vegetable life sprang.
MITHRAEUM
Underground place of worship dedicated to MITHRA.
NOMISMA
Standard gold coin in circulation at the time of JUSTINIAN I.
PAUSANIAS (fl 150)
Author of Description of Greece, which contains extensive information on the mythology, buildings, settlements, and topography of ancient Greece.
PLATO’S ACADEMY
Located in Athens, its curriculum included natural science, mathematics, philosophy, and training for public service.
PRAXITELES (fl 4th century BC)
Considered one of greatest Greek sculptors, his subjects were often taken from mythology.
STRABO (c 64 BC–c 23 CE)
Greek author. His encyclopedic Geography provides descriptions of numerous countries collected during his extensive travels.
STYLITES
Holy men who spent years living on platforms atop columns. They took their name from stylos (Greek column or pillar) and were also known as pillar saints.
TESSERAE
Small cubes, usually of stone or glass, used to create mosaics.
THEODORA (c 497-548)
Powerful wife of JUSTINIAN I. It has been alleged she had formerly been an actress and prostitute. When the Nika riots broke out in Constantinople in 532, she is said to have urged her husband to remain in the city, thus saving his throne.
TRICLINIUM
Dining room featuring a table with couches along three of its sides.
TUNICA
Tunic-like undergarment.
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