# Alexander the Scissors — The Secret History character guide

> Alexander the Scissors in The Secret History by Procopius.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Alexander

**First appearance:** 0002-the-secret-history

## Who they are

A Roman official known for cutting expenses.

## In the story

### [XXIV: Unjust Treatment of the Soldiers, and How Justinian Tricked the “Students” Out of Their Pay by Threatening to Send Them to War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/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 money from Italians for their dealings with Theodoric and the Goths.

### [XXVI: How He Spoiled the Beauty of the Cities and Plundered the Poor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxvi-how-he-spoiled-the-beauty-of-the-cities-and-plundered-the-poor)

Official who deprived the Roman poor of grain distributions in Italy, stationed soldiers at Thermopylae funded by Greek cities, and diverted public revenues, earning Justinian's favor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/characters/alexander_the_scissors
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/characters