Justinian by Ross Laidlaw Page B

Constantinople, with its strong pull of family and
genius loci
– the place’s soul.
    â€˜I understand, my dear,’ said Timothy sadly, when she told him the time had come to move on. ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions, * and you must seek your fortune wherever it may call you. I can’t pretend you won’t be greatly missed; the poor whom you served so well have come to love you – as have I, as a father loves a daughter. May I suggest you break your journey in Antioch, where an old friend of mine lives – a wealthy widow with many contacts in the world of trade and business. I’d be surprised if Macedonia were unable to help you find an opening in work you’d find congenial. I’ll give you a letter of introduction.’
    Timothy did more than that. Although Theodora had saved enough (just) from her stipend to cover the cost of the voyage home, the bishop pressed on her a bag of
solidi
, ‘for unforeseen emergencies’ (a kindness Theodora would one day repay a thousand-fold ** ).
    Disembarking at Seleucia – Antioch’s harbour, fourteen miles from the sea on the River Orontes – Theodora entered ‘The Crown of the East’ via the great city’s Watergate. Before her stretched a vast townscape, its suburbs chequered with orchards, olive groves, and vineyards, extending to the lower slopes of Mount Casius three miles distant. A few enquiries enabled her to track down Macedonia’s home, its entrance opening onto the street in the wealthy suburb of Daphne. On producing Timothy’s letter of introduction, she was conducted by a porter to the
atrium
– a courtyard floored with magnificent mosaics and surrounded by colonnaded walkways. ‘The
Domina
will be with you presently,’ the man murmured respectfully and withdrew. A little later, an attractive and elegantly clad lady entered the
atrium
and approached Theodora. While still some yards away, she halted, and exclaimed, ‘The actress from Constantinople!’
    â€˜The dancer from Antioch!’ gasped Theodora in sudden recognition, as a tide of feelings, long suppressed, surged up inside her.
    * The Alexandrian terminus of the
cursus publicus
– the imperial post. See Notes.
    * In this quotation from the Bible, ‘mansion’ doesn’t mean a large house. The English meaning of the Latin
mansio
is ‘station, stage’ (Cassell’s
New Compact Latin Dictionary
) – i.e. a staging-post on the
cursus publicus
.
    ** See Notes.

SIX
    And on soft beds . . . tenderly . . . we would satisfy desire
    Sappho of Lesbos,
Fragment 94
, c. 600 BC
    Macedonia was the first to recover. Taking the letter from the other’s unresisting hand, she perused its contents then looked up with a smile, in which there lurked a hint of mischief.
    â€˜Well, Theodora, who’d have thought we’d meet up again like this? I’ll be delighted to help you – if I can. Archbishop Timothy speaks highly of you; I’m sure we can find something that will suit. But before discussing your situation, we must catch up with each other’s news over
cena
; * I’m all agog.’
    Extended on a couch in the
triclinium
or dining-room beside her hostess, Theodora – to cover the embarrassment that had suddenly engulfed her – prattled on inconsequentially about life in Alexandria, scarcely tasting the delicious dishes from the table beside her. At last, aware that a mounting flush was colouring her neck and cheeks, she floundered to a stop.
    â€˜It’s all right, my dear,’ murmured Macedonia, in tones of understanding mingled with amusement. ‘We don’t need to be shy with each other.’ Moving from her couch, she stretched out beside Theodora, and putting her arms around her, kissed her gently on the mouth.
    Immediately, Theodora felt herself responding, and returned the kiss with ardour. Unbelievingly, she became aware of the other