porphyry

name

1. A Tyrian Neoplatonic philosopher.

noun

Etymology: From Old French porfire, from Ancient Greek πορφυρίτης λίθος (porphurítēs líthos, “purple stone”), from πορφύρα (porphúra, “purple-fish, purple dye”).

1. A hard igneous rock consisting of large crystals in a fine-grained matrix.
2. A hard igneous rock consisting of large crystals in a fine-grained matrix.

   “A quartet of porphyry warriors, locked for all time in stern embrace outside St. Mark's Basilica, were probably carved in the Fourth Century. They are believed to represent the Roman Emperor Diocletian and the three men who held power with him.”