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Description edit
New York Times bestselling novelist Anne Perry, the undisputed Queen of Victorian mysteries and the author of an acclaimed series set during World War I, now broadens her canvas with her first major stand-alone bookâan epic historical novel set in thirteenth-century Constantinople, where a... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Joanna: Add a description of this character.
- Giuliano Dandolo: Venetian sent by various Doges to Constantinople for political reconnaissance
- Zoe Chrysaphes
- Helena Comnena: widow of Bessarion Comnenos
- Constantine: a bishop of Constantinople and a eunuch
- Michael Palaeologus: Emperor of Byzantium. Led the Byzantines back from exile after the sacking of Constantinople in 1204 during one of the Crusades.
- Enrico Palombara: Italian papal legate
- Gregory Vatatzes: member of one of the premier families of Constantinople
- Niccolo Vicenze: Italian papal legate
- Anastasius Zarides: woman masquerading as a eunuch, a physician.
- Charles of Anjou: known as the King of Naples or the King of the Two Sicilies, a Frenchman
- Simonis: servant to Anastasius Zarides
- Demetrios: son of Gregory Vatatzes
- Theodosia
- Leo: servant to Anastasius Zarides
- Cyril Choniates
- Giuseppe
- Tiepolo: the Pope
- Maria
- Maddalena
- Masari
- Mocenigo
- Georgios
- Cosmas
- Bessarion Comnenos
- Contarini
- Avram Shachar: a Jewish physician
- Mary
- Sabas
- Andronicus: son of Michael the Emperor
- Lascaris: old imperial family name
- Scalini
- Boito
- Messina
- Doukas
- John Beccus
- Nicephoras: eunuch in the court of Michael, Michael's advisor and servant
First Sentence edit
The young man stood on the steps, adjusting his eyes to the shadows.
Glossary edit
- Dalmatica: A long tunic, usually of wool, silk, or cotton. If laid flat, the shape resembled a cross. Worn by men, eunuchs, and some women. Often with vertical trim (clavi) on body of tunic and sleeves. Alternative trim was horizontal bands and hem and end of sleeves; this trim known as segmentae.
- The Schism: The Great Schism of the 11th century, a break of communion between two sections of Christianity that were previously a single body - in this case the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. In the context of the book, the great motivation behind Rome's desire to bring Byzantium back into the fold and the equally strong (if not stronger) motivation of Byzantium to remain apart from the Latins and their Church.
- filioque: literal meaning (Latin) = "from the Son" Context: The Roman Catholic Church believes that the Holy Spirit comes "from the Father and the Son." The Eastern Orthodox Chuch rejects this creed, believing that the Holy Spirit comes only from God.
- eunuch: A person born male most commonly castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences. Occasionally the term refers to a male who has not been castrated. The status of eunuchs in Byzantium had largely waned by the time described in the book, although elsewhere in the world they held a special status until the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Patriarch: The Patriarch of Constantinople is the title used for the Archbishop. Modern term is Ecumenical Patriarch. The highest religious figure in Byzantium. "First among Equals." First in honor among Eastern Orthodox bishops. Position ometimes granted as a political favor, as many religious offices were.
- Legate: or papal legate, is a personal representative of the pope to foreign nations.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Anne Perry (Author)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813
Subjects edit
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