← All characters

The Secret History · Character

Arsenius

A conspirator against Justinian, later executed.

minor

Also known as This Arsenius

First appearance: the secret history

Arsenius's tie to Justinian is one of the pressures that moves The Secret History—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Samaritan turned nominal Christian; intimate of Theodora; goes to Alexandria to assist Paul; crucified by Liberius at Theodora's order.
In the storyXXVII: How the Defender of the Faith Protected the Interests of the ChristiansOpen this moment free
See Arsenius in XXVII: How the Defender of the Faith Protected the Interests of the ChristiansBook page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Justinian (rivalry): Arsenius, a Samaritan rebel leader, is a fierce enemy of Justinian's regime and religious persecution. With Justin (rivalry): Arsenius, a Samaritan leader, was a rebel and enemy of Emperor…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Arsenius sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Arsenius in the secret history

Character Web

33 connections

A slice of how Arsenius sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

JUJustinianJUJustinTHTheodoraBEBelisariusGEGermanusARArsenius

Relationship types

  • Rivalry
  • Other

Character groups

  • Justinian's Court Intriguers
  • Protagonist

+28 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when Theodora’s jealousy and fear of Amasalontha’s beauty and cunn…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Arsenius in the secret history

In the story

Arsenius appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Arsenius unlock in the free preview.

See Arsenius in the secret history
See Arsenius in XXVII: How the Defender of the Faith Protected the Interests of the Christians