Sivriada was often used by the Byzantine clerics as a distant place for peaceful worship, and by the Byzantine emperors as a convenient prison to detain prominent people whom they deemed troublesome. The first famous person to be imprisoned in the island by the order of emperor Nikephoros I was Plato of Sakkoudion, the uncle of renowned cleric Theodoros Stoudites, for supporting his nephew in his conflict with the emperor.
Sivriada was frequently employed by Byzantine clerics as a remote location for serene prayer, and by Byzantine emperors as an easy prison to confine influential individuals they considered troublesome. The first notable person imprisoned on the island under the command of emperor Nikephoros I was Plato of Sakkoudion, uncle of renowned cleric Theodoros Stoudites, due to his support for his nephew in a dispute with the emperor.