The Secret History · Character
Alexander the Scissors
A Roman official known for cutting expenses.
minor
Also known as Alexander
First appearance: the secret history
Alexander the Scissors shows up with force in XXIV: Unjust Treatment of the Soldiers, and How Justinian Tricked the “Students” Out of Their Pay by Threatening to Send Them to War. The page is where that presence becomes real.
Sent as paymaster to Italy, he reproaches soldiers for poor morale while extorting money from Italians for their dealings with Theodoric and the Goths.
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In XXIV: Unjust Treatment of the Soldiers, and How Justinian Tricked the “Students” Out of Their Pay by Threatening to Send Them to War: Sent as paymaster to Italy, he reproaches soldiers for poor morale while extorting…
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Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Historical Figures and Narrator
- Justinian's Court Intriguers
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Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when Theodora’s jealousy and fear of Amasalontha’s beauty and cunn…
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Alexander the Scissors appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- XXIV: Unjust Treatment of the Soldiers, and How Justinian Tricked the “Students” Out of Their Pay by Threatening to Send Them to War
- XXVI: How He Spoiled the Beauty of the Cities and Plundered the Poor
Chapter companion notes
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See Alexander the Scissors in the secret history