Four for a Boy

by Mary Reed

  He paused. “And speaking of shrewd senators, when Senator Aurelius suggested in front of his friend Opimius that I interview Tryphon and Trenico, he was as much as anything giving Opimius a clear warning. I’m certain he had spoken about it to him privately, but perhaps he felt it would be more persuasive to place two of the other conspirators under direct suspicion. You know, Felix, I would not be at all surprised to discover that Aurelius were pagan also. That would explain the close friendship between him and Opimius, despite their political differences. Our faith binds us strongly together.”

  “You are back in Opimius’ good graces, I suppose. Are you tutoring Lady Anna again?”

  John shook his head. “It is best I not see her just yet. I did speak to the senator in private, but our conversation was brief since Aurelius and Anatolius arrived. Somehow the tale of my flight from Avis’ tower has got around, and in its travels become much exaggerated. Apparently I was halfway up the Bosporos before I fell out of the sky.”

  Felix chuckled. “I’ll wager young Anatolius was thrilled to hear that story.”

  “He looked very disappointed when I explained I’d left the wings in pieces on the docks. Then he asked his father to make certain that Avis had a few coins now and then to continue the project.”

  “That’s not very likely to happen, is it?” Felix observed. “Aurelius must be thanking whatever gods he worships that it was you who first tried out those wings, and not his son.”

  “It is strange, Felix,” said John. “Consider that here there were two sons, both of them only children. One would think Fortuna had bestowed enough favor on Anatolius, making his a prosperous family when so many others are destitute. Yet he was saved from certain death the night he decided to join the Blues, while that poor grocer’s boy died playing in the gutter.” Felix said nothing. He glanced uneasily at the statue of Vitalian and then resumed walking.

  “Lady Anna must have gone to her father immediately,” he said. “Once she relayed the warning you gave her, he wasted no time in throwing his support into Justinian’s camp. Now Justinian has recovered, and frankly I begin to wonder if he was half as ill as was reported. He’s been just as swift in removing the Gourd from office. The question is will anyone believe Justinian’s claims that the Gourd has been poisoning him? With all those guards around him, not to mention Theodora constantly at his side, how could the Gourd possibly have managed it?”

  “True or not, the Gourd cut his own throat by persuading everyone he was able to perform magick,” John observed with a wry smile. “You can do all sorts of impossible things with magick. Besides, Justinian’s accusation is all the proof any court of law can afford to consider.”

  They had reached the building overseen by the leprous Hermes. Felix gazed back uneasily over the frozen throng populating the square. “There’s something strange about seeing all those statues crowding about in public as if they’re about to start rioting. Speaking of which, the superstitious are already spinning tales about how that statue of Christ miraculously punished Timothy.”

  He frowned and went on. “As to Justin, in the end he was rather relieved by the senators’ suggestion that he and Justinian co-rule. It would certainly lift some of the burden from his shoulders, so he will be considering it, or so he was muttering to Euphemia this very morning. Yet still I feel I have somehow failed him. I don’t know why.”

  “Justinian considers we have both aided him, and it’s his opinion which matters now.”

  Felix looked thoughtful. “Do you realize Justinian has reason to be doubly grateful to you? First, you disarmed those opposing him by uncovering the real murderer of Hypatius and making it impossible for them to use his death against Justinian in some way or another. Then, on top of that, you were instrumental in persuading Opimius, the leader of the conspiracy, of the wisdom of publicly declaring himself one of Justinian’s staunchest supporters for reasons we will never see made public.”

  A wry grin crossed the excubitor’s face. “Not that Theodora will thank either of us for any of our efforts,” he continued. “I have a strong suspicion she does not enjoy the notion of Justinian being grateful to anyone except her. If he was, such people might well have some influence with him and she’s the sort who cannot tolerate even the thought of any such possibility. Still, aside from that, it’s all been tied up very neatly.”

  “There is one matter still left unfinished.”

  Felix gave John a questioning look.

  John’s fist smashed into the excubitor’s jaw, sending him to the ground. He looked up at John, his expression more bewildered than angry.

  “Don’t you recall what you said outside Isis’ house?” John asked. “‘Watch your tongue, slave, or I’ll give you a thrashing you won’t soon forget.’ Those were your exact words. Were you too intoxicated to remember? A man can’t allow himself to be insulted in such a manner, but a slave has no choice. A slave does not dare retaliate. There can be no real friendship between a man and a slave.”

  John extended his hand. Felix took it warily and allowed himself to be helped to his feet. He rubbed his jaw, frowning.

  Then he grinned widely.

  “I see you’ve guessed, my friend,” John said. “As a reward for my services, Justinian has granted me my freedom.”

  Felix’s shout of joy disturbed several seagulls rooting among the gutter debris. They rose, squawking with indignation, into the slate gray sky.

  Afterword

  The fate of Prefect Theodotus, nicknamed Colocynthius (Gourd), is related by the historian Procopius in his Secret History. As soon as Justinian regained his health he accused Theodotus of being a magician and poisoner, obtaining evidence against him by torturing the man’s friends. Only Quaestor Proclus had the courage to protest publicly that Theodotus was innocent. Thanks to him, Theodotus was not executed, but instead was exiled to Jerusalem. When he later heard that men were being sent to assassinate him, he hid in a church and spent the rest of his life there.

  Glossary

  NOTE: All dates are CE unless otherwise indicated.

  ACHILLEA

  Yarrow. Its botanical name, Achillea millefolium, is derived from the legend that Achilles employed it to stop his men’s wounds bleeding. It has been thus used for centuries, earning it the alternative name of Soldier’s Woundwort.

  ALABASTRON

  Glass or pottery flask for massage oil or perfume. The name is derived from the Greek alabastros meaning alabaster, from which early examples were made.

  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 (impluvium) under the square or oblong 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.

  BATHS OF ACTAEON

  According to legend, Actaeon was a hunter who accidentally saw Artemis, goddess of the chase, while she was bathing. He was transformed into a stag and subsequently torn to pieces by his own dogs.

  BATHS OF ZEUXIPPOS

  Public baths in Constantinople. They were named after a Thracian deity whose name combined Zeus and Hippos. Erected by order of Septimius Severus (146-211; r 193-211) and situated northeast of the HIPPODROME, they were generally considered the most luxurious of the city’s public baths. They were famous for their classical statues, numbering between sixty and eighty.

  BLUES

  See FACTIONS.

  CALDARIUM

  Hottest room in the public baths.

  CARYATID

  Column formed in the shape of a female figure dressed in flowing garments. The best known caryatids are probably the six supporting the roof of the Porch of the Maidens of the Erechtheion, a temple on the Acropolis in Athens.

  CAUTES AND CAUTOPATES

  Statues of twin torchbearers Cautes and Cautopates were part of the sacred furnishi
ngs of a MITHRAEUM. Cautes always held his torch upright while Cautopates pointed his downward. The twins may represent the rising and setting of the sun. Other interpretations hold that they symbolize life and death or the twin emotions of despair and joy or perhaps that they are both MITHRA, depicted at different hours of the day.

  CHALKE

  Main entrance of the GREAT PALACE.

  CHURCH OF EIRENE

  Popular name for Hagia Eirene (Church of the Holy Peace), situated near the GREAT CHURCH.

  CITY PREFECT

  High ranking urban official whose main duty was to maintain public order.

  CONCRETE

  Roman concrete, consisting of wet lime, volcanic ash, and pieces of rock, was used in a wide range of structures from humble cisterns to the Pantheon in Rome, which has survived for nearly 2,000 years even without the steel reinforcing rods commonly used in modern concrete buildings. One of the oldest Roman concrete buildings still standing is the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, Italy, built during the first century BC.

  EXCUBITORS

  The palace guard.

  EUPHEMIA (d c 524)

  Little is known about Euphemia, wife of JUSTIN I. She was originally called Lupicina, a name commonly associated with prostitutes. It is said that she was a slave whom JUSTIN I purchased, freed, and married, and that she had also been the mistress of her previous owner. She supported JUSTINIAN as her husband’s successor, but was bitterly opposed to any suggestion of JUSTINIAN marrying THEODORA.

  FACTIONS

  Supporters of the BLUE or GREEN chariot teams, named for their racing colors. Great rivalry existed between the factions. Brawls between them were not uncommon and occasionally escalated into citywide riots.

  FALERNIAN WINE

  Considered one of the finest Roman wines.

  FORUM BOVIS

  See MESE.

  FORUM CONSTANTINE

  See MESE.

  FROM EGGS TO APPLES

  From beginning to end. The saying is based upon Roman dining practice. A modern version would be from hors d’oeuvres to dessert.

  GREAT CHURCH

  Popular name for the Hagia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom). The first Great Church was built in 360 and burnt down in 404. The second was erected in 415, but destroyed during the Nika riots (532). It was replaced by the existing Hagia Sophia, constructed by order of JUSTINIAN I and consecrated in December 537.

  GREAT PALACE

  Lay in the southeastern part of Constantinople. It was not one building but many, set amid trees and gardens. The 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.

  GREENS

  See FACTIONS.

  HARMONIA’S NECKLACE

  According to mythology, when Harmonia married Cadmus, one of her wedding presents was a necklace which later brought calamity on everyone who owned it. Proverbially it refers to a possession that brings misfortune.

  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 PALACE

  Home of JUSTINIAN and THEODORA before JUSTINIAN became emperor.

  HYPOCAUST

  Roman form of central heating, accomplished by distribution of hot air through flues under the flooring.

  HEMSUT

  Egyptian goddess of fate. Also known as Hemuset.

  JOHN THE HUNCHBACK (known 490s)

  Leader of an army sent by Anastasius I (c 430-518, r 491-518) to put down an Isaurian rebellion. JUSTIN I, then still serving in the ranks of the military, was one of John’s subordinate commanders. Although they were defeated at the battle of Cotyaeum in Phrygia (491), it took several years to finally subdue the rebels.

  JUSTIN I (c 450-527, r 518-527)

  Born in the province of Dardania (part of present-day Macedonia), Justin and two friends journeyed to Constantinople to seek their fortunes. All three joined the EXCUBITORS and Justin eventually rose to hold the rank of commander. Justin was married to EUPHEMIA. He was declared emperor upon the death of Anastasius I (c 430-518, r 491-518). Justin’s nephew JUSTINIAN I was crowned co-emperor in April 527, four months before Justin died.

  JUSTINIAN I (483-565; r 527-565)

  Nephew of JUSTIN I and his successor to the throne. Justinian’s greatest ambition was to restore the Roman empire to its former glory. He succeeded in temporarily regaining North Africa, Italy, and southeastern Spain. He ordered the codification of Roman law and after the Nika Riots (532) rebuilt the GREAT CHURCH as well as many other buildings in Constantinople. He married THEODORA in 525.

  KALAMOS

  Reed pen.

  KING THEODORIC (454-526; r Ostrogoths 47l-526; r Italy 493-526)

  Known as Theodoric the Great, he was educated in Constantinople, having been taken there as a diplomatic hostage at the age of eight. Ascending to the Ostrogothic throne on the death of his father Theodemir in 471, he eventually regained control of Italy from the barbarians who had won it from Rome almost twenty years before. During his reign he favored Roman methods of government and law.

  KEEPER OF THE PLATE

  Court official responsible for the care of palace plate, which included ceremonial items as well as imperial platters, ewers, goblets, and various types of dishes, often made of precious metals.

  LUPICINA

  See EUPHEMIA.

  MASTER OF THE OFFICES

  Oversaw the civil side of imperial administration within the palace.

  MESE

  Main thoroughfare of Constantinople. Enriched with columns, arches, statuary (depicting secular, military, imperial, and religious subjects), fountains, religious establishments, workshops, monuments, emporiums, public baths, and private dwellings, it was a perfect mirror of the heavily populated and densely built city it traversed. The Mese passed through several fora, including FORUM BOVIS and FORUM CONSTANTINE.

  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

  Persian sun god. It was said Mithra was born in a cave or from a rock, and that as soon as he emerged into the world he clothed himself with leaves from a fig tree and ate of its fruit. Mithra slew the Great (or Cosmic) Bull, from which all animal and vegetable life sprang. Mithra is usually shown wearing a tunic and Phrygian cap with his cloak flying out behind him and in the act of slaying the Great Bull. A depiction of this scene was in every MITHRAEUM. Mithra was also known as Mithras.

  MITHRAEUM

  Underground place of worship dedicated to MITHRA. Such places have been found on sites as far apart as northern England and what is now the Holy Land. See also CAUTES AND CAUTOPATES.

  MITHRA’S FIG TREE

  See MITHRA.

  MITHRAISM

  Of Persian origin, Mithraism spread throughout the Roman Empire via its followers in various branches of the military. It became one of the most popular Roman religions during the second and third centuries CE but declined thereafter. Mithrans were required to be chaste, obedient, and loyal. Parallels have been drawn between Mithraism and Christianity because of shared practices such as baptism and anticipation of resurrection as well as the belief that MITHRA, in common with many sun gods, was born on 25 December. Mithrans advanced within their religion through seven degrees. In ascending order, these were Corax (Raven), Nymphus (Male Bride), Miles (Soldier), Leo (Lion), Peres (Persian), Heliodromus (Runner of the Sun), and Pater (Father). Women were excluded from Mithraism.

  MONOPHYSITE

  Adherent to a doctrine holding that Christ had only one nature (divine
) although others declared this one nature to be a mixture of two (human and divine). Monophysites holding the former view were condemned by the Council of Chalcedon (45l), but nevertheless the belief remained particularly strong in Syria and Egypt during the time of JUSTINIAN I.

  NEREIDS

  Mythological sea-nymphs. Fifty in number, they often aided sailors in peril. The Nereids were usually depicted riding marine denizens such as seahorses or dolphins.

  NUMMUS (plural: nummi)

  In the early Byzantine period the nummus was the smallest copper coin. Although the minting of nummi was suspended in 498, it was resumed in 512.

  ORACLE OF TROPHONIUS

  Trophonius and his brother Agamedes were legendary architects whose works were said to include Apollo’s temple at Delphi. The oracle of Trophonius was at Lebadeia in central Greece. It was consulted by performing purification rites and sacrifices, and then descending a shaft to reach an extremely narrow passageway leading to a cave. After the supplicant returned, priests interpreted any revelations that had been granted. Since the former invariably emerged in a state of extremely low spirits after visiting the cave, the melancholy were commonly referred to as having “consulted the oracle of Trophonius.”

  OVID (43 BC-c l7 CE)

  Roman poet best known for his erotic verse. Author of the Art of Love and also The Metamorphoses, a mythological-historical collection.

  PATRIARCH

  Head of a diocese or patriarchate.

  PENDULIA

  Small ornaments, often jeweled, hanging from a circlet or crown.

  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, philosophy, and training for public service.

  PLINY THE YOUNGER (62–c 113 CE)

  Orator, public official, and consul. He is famous for his letters, which provide a vivid picture of contemporary Roman life and are thought to have been written for publication rather than as individual communications.