Seven for a Secret (28 page)

RIOTS
See NIKA RIOTS.

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. The hospice was near the GREAT CHURCH.

SILENTIARY
Court official whose duties were similar to those of an usher, and included guarding the room in which an imperial audience or meeting was being held.

SIMEON THE STYLITE (390–459)
Born in Syria, Saint Simeon first lived as a hermit and then spent over 35 years as a STYLITE.

SISYPHUS
In Greek mythology, because he was disrespectful to Zeus, Sisyphus, king of Corinth, was condemned to keep pushing a heavy rock up a steep hill forever, since as soon as it reached the top, it rolled down again.

SOPHOCLES (c496–406 BC)
Greek dramatist, famous for his tragedies. He wrote over 120 plays, of which seven survive, along with numerous fragments of his other works.

STYLITES
Holy men who lived atop columns, they were also known as pillar saints, from the Greek stylos, pillar.

TESSERAE (Singular: tessera)
Small pieces of glass, stone, marble, etc, used to create mosaics.

THEODORA (c497–548)
Influential and powerful wife of JUSTINIAN I. It has been alleged she had formerly been an actress and a prostitute. A woman of strong character, when the NIKA RIOTS broke out in Constantinople in 532, Theodora is said to have urged JUSTINIAN I to remain in the city, thus saving the imperial throne.

TUNICA
Tunic-like undergarment.

ZEUXIPPOS
Thracian deity whose name combined Zeus and Hippos (Greek: horse).

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