The Gods Are Athirst

Glossary of Key Terms

Active citizen citoyen actif

A category of the early revolutionary franchise linked to a direct-tax qualification; its survival in this 1793 scene requires the chronological caution in the notes. References I.21.

after the antique d’après l’antique

Using ancient Greek or Roman art as a model. References III.12.

anathema anathème

A curse, or a person devoted to condemnation. References XXV.23.

architectural features fabriques

Buildings and related structures composing a landscape or garden. References IX.46.

assembly signal générale

Drum call summoning troops. References XXVII.9.

assignat assignat

Revolutionary paper currency; called square money by the innkeeper. References X.70.

attorney’s clerk clerc de procureur

Junior worker in a legal practitioner’s office. References V.30.

batch fournée

Group of accused tried together, with a suggested image of an oven-load. References XXII.11.

Benedicite Benedicite

Latin blessing or grace said before a meal. References V.53.

bill of exchange lettre de change

Written instrument ordering payment through another party. References XVIII.39.

biribi biribi

Gambling game named among Rochemaure’s entertainments. References VII.15.

bisque biscuit

Unglazed porcelain used for small sculptures. References XXI.25.

black and white chalk aux deux crayons

Two-colour drawing technique, rendered here as black and white chalk. References II.12.

bouts-rimés bouts-rimés

Verse composed using prescribed rhyme words. References VIII.19.

Bridoie Bridoie

France’s spelling of Rabelais’ dice-judging Bridoye. References VIII.39.

Brissotins Brissotins

Partisan designation for the Girondins associated with Brissot. References IX.25.

busk busc

Stiff strip supporting the front of a bodice or stays. References II.48.

cabriolet cabriolet

Light carriage, here hired for the journey. References IV.33.

Capet Capet

Name applied to Louis XVI in Henry’s republican speech. References VIII.27.

capon chapon

Castrated male chicken raised for the table. References V.44.

Carmagnole carmagnole

A short jacket associated with revolutionary dress; also the name of a revolutionary song and dance in other contexts. References I.2, X.10, XI.31.

carrick carrick

Travelling overcoat with several shoulder capes. References XVIII.4.

cenotaph cénotaphe

Empty tomb or memorial for a person buried elsewhere. References XXIX.24.

Certificate of civic loyalty certificat de civisme

An attestation of political reliability, distinct from citizenship or voting eligibility. References I.4.

cervelat cervelas

Type of sausage sold among the fair’s provisions. References VIII.12.

chain lines pontuseaux

Widely spaced mould marks in laid paper. References III.4.

Clerk Regular clerc régulier

Cleric belonging to an order governed by a religious rule. References VI.35.

Committee of General Security Comité de sûreté générale

National committee, distinguished from a section’s local Surveillance Committee. References VIII.7, XI.30.

Compagnie des Indes Compagnie des Indes

Trading company whose shares are objects of the narrated speculation. References VII.29.

constitutional oath serment constitutionnel

The oath associated with the revolutionary reorganisation of the Church. References XII.22.

creed symbole

A formal statement of belief, here transferred from theology to politics. References XIII.12.

deist déiste

Believer in God without necessarily adhering to a revealed religion. References V.2, XIII.14.

eustache eustache

Inexpensive folding knife, here with a horn handle. References VI.61.

fall-front breeches culotte à pont

Breeches fastened with a front flap. References VII.16.

fasces faisceaux

Bundles of rods, ancient emblems of authority reused in republican iconography. References XV.1, XXVIII.3.

favourite lover greluchon

A woman's secretly favoured lover, distinguished from other lovers who support her. References XI.7.

florence florence

A period silk fabric name retained within the fashion conversation. References X.23.

Friend of the People Ami du peuple

Marat’s identifying political title in the narrative. References IV.38.

full-length mirror psyché

Tall mirror in which a person can see their whole figure. References VII.21.

garden side côté jardin

Stage left as viewed by the audience, or the performer’s right. References XXIX.34.

gilded youth jeunesse dorée

Fashionable young anti-Jacobins prominent after Thermidor. References XXVIII.11.

god-eaters théophages

Brotteaux’s irreverent designation for believers in Eucharistic doctrine. References X.43, XIV.34.

hurdy-gurdy vielle

String instrument sounded by a rotating wheel. References XXVI.1.

Incorruptible Incorruptible

Epithet of Maximilien Robespierre. References XX.2.

intaglio taille-douce

Printing from incised lines in a plate. References III.38.

jumping jack pantin

Jointed toy figure moved by pulling strings. References II.8, XVII.40.

laid lines vergeures

Fine parallel mould marks in laid paper. References III.4.

liard liard

A small monetary unit worth three deniers, or a quarter of a sou. References XVI.17.

libertinage libertinage

Sexual licence with associations of freethought and religious scepticism. References XXIV.4.

low-life genre picture bambochade

Painting of ordinary, rustic or lower-class life. References VI.13.