Palaces about it, and near it built another Church in honour of two
illustrious Saints, _Sergius_ and _Bacchus_. These Churches which are
both of them equally beautiful, stood on the same Compass of Ground,
nor is there any material Difference between them. They shine alike
with the most glossy Marble; both are curiously gilded, and adorn’d
with the richest Offerings, nor is there any thing wherein they do not
resemble each other, but that one is built lengthways, and the other
in a semicircular manner. They are both wonderful in their kind, and
are a great Ornament not only to the Palace, but to the whole City:
_Procopius_ adds a little farther, that _Justinian_ chang’d the House,
which was call’d the House of _Hormisda_, into a more magnificent
Figure, and join’d it to the Palace. I am of Opinion, that this
_Hormisda_, whom he dignifies with the Title of Prince, was the Son
of a King of _Persia_, who, as _Marcellinus_ reports, when _Constans_
the Son of _Constantine_ came to _Rome_, and glorying how far he would
transcend _Hormisda_ in his immoderate Schemes of Building, being
unable to accomplish his Designs, he was content, he said, in an
humble manner, only to have such another Horse made as stood in the
_Forum_ of _Trajan_. The Story coming afterwards to _Hormisda_’s Ear,
he reply’d in a jocular manner, _Let him try first, if he can build a
Stable for him_. _Cedrinus_ explains more at large how near the House
of _Justinian_ was to the Church of _Bacchus_: _Justinian_, says he,
_built the Church of_ Sergius _and_ Bacchus, _which on the Sea-side of
it, is near the Palace, and built also another Church by it, on the
same piece of Ground, on which had stood his own House: In building
these two Churches, and in founding a Monastery, which he fill’d with
Men of sound Learning, and exemplary Conversation, he laid out his
whole Estate, and all he was worth, till he arrived to the Imperial
Dignity_. There is nothing remaining at present of the Church of St.
_Peter_ and St. _Paul_, but the Church of _Sergius_ and _Bacchus_ are
yet standing. It goes still under its ancient Name, though the _Turks_
have changed it into a Mosque. ’Tis covered at top with a Brick Roof,
and bears upon eight Pilasters; between the Pilasters there are two
Ranges of Pillars of the _Ionick Order_. In the lowest Range, there are
sixteen Pillars which bear upon the Pavement: Six of these Pillars are
of Green Marble, and ten of white streak’d with Red Veins. The upper
Range consists of eighteen Pillars, eight of which are Green, ten White
Marble, and are vein’d as the other. The _Capitals_ of the lower are
adorn’d with _Ovolo’s_ at the Bottom of them. The upper part of them is
cover’d with a _Foliage_. The _Volutæ_ of the upper Range of Pillars
project from the four Angles of the _Capitals_, but the _Ovolo’s_
project from the Sides of them, which are also cover’d with a _Foliage_
of fine Workmanship. The _Architraves_ over the _Capitals_ of the
lower Range are finished with the nicest Art. There is a noble Piece
of Sculpture in this Church. ’Twas done by _Zoophorus_, who has carved
round the Church some _Greek_ Verses, in the largest Characters. The
Tops of the _Pilasters_ are shaded with a _Vineal Foliage_, intermixed
with cluster’d Grapes, which denote, that the Church was dedicated to
_Bacchus_.
CHAP. XV.
_Of the Port of_ Julian, _and_ Sophia; _of the_ Portico _nam’d_
Sigma, _and the Palace of_ Sophia.
Near the Church of _Bacchus_, stood the Port of _Julian_. This is plain
from the Account we have of the Fire, which happen’d in the Reign of
_Leo_ the _Great_, and as _Evagrius_ tells us, began on the North-side
of the City, and destroy’d all before it, from the _Bosporian_ Port,
to the old Temple of _Apollo_; and that on the South-side of the City,
it made the same Havock from the Port of _Julian_, to the Houses near
the Temple of _Concord_. _Zonaras_ writes, who has described the
Devastations of that Fire, that it burnt with great Fury from the
_Bosporium_ to the Church of St. _John_ the _Calybite_, and on the
South from the Church of St. _Thomas_ to the Church of the renowned
Martyrs, _Sergius_ and _Bacchus_. The Church of St. _Thomas_ stood near
the Temple of _Concord_. The Account which _Cedrinus_ gives of this
Fire is, that it took its Course round the City quite from the Northern
to the Southern Shore, as far as the Church of _Sergius_ and _Bacchus_.
The Emperor _Anastasius_ fortified the Port of _Julian_, and secured
it by a strong Wall. It was afterwards called the Port of _Sophia_,
according to _Cedrinus_, who writes, _That_ Justin _the Nephew of_
Justinian, _built a Palace in the Port of_ Julian, _which he ordered
to be cleansed, and that he commanded his own, and the Statue of_
Sophia _his Consort to be erected there, and from thence gave it the
Name of the Port_ of Sophia. The Inscription on the Statue of _Justin_
placed here is as follows:
_I_ Theodorus, _Prefect of the City,
Here, on the Shore, erect this lofty Statue;
It represents the Emperor_ Justinus.
_May his kind Presence guard, and ever shed
Its peaceful Influence o’er the neighbouring Ports._
_Procopius_ writes, that the Church of the Martyr _Thecla_ stood near
this Port. Some modern Historians tell us, that _Belisarius_ set
Sail from this Port, when he went to Battel against the _Vandals_.
But I cannot conceive what Reason they have for that Opinion, unless
it be from some Words of _Procopius_, who says, that _Justinian_
commanded the Ship, in which the General sail’d, to be brought near
the Palace, and that there _Epiphanius_ Bishop of _Constantinople_, as
was customary upon such Occasions, put up a Prayer for his Success,
and that then _Belisarius_ went off with his Wife _Antonina_. There
were indeed some Palaces near this Port, but there were also other
Palaces near the Bay, which was full of Havens, from whence, at a
little Distance, stood the House of _Belisarius_. _Suidas_ confirms
it, that _Anastasius_ fortify’d this Harbour, and made a Pier there;
and _Zonaras_ attests, that _Justin_ built there some Palaces, and
call’d them the Palaces of _Sophia_, from the Name of his Consort, whom
he passionately loved. Many _Historians_ are of Opinion, that these
Palaces stood near the Port of _Sophia_; but I am induced to think,
both from Reason and the Authority of learned Men, that it was not so.
For _Zonaras_, among others, writes, that _Justin_ built these Palaces
against the City, and _Agathius_, a much ancienter Writer, and who was
living at the Time they were built, wrote the following Inscription,
which was fix’d upon them. From whence the Reader may observe, that
they were not seated near the _Propontis_, adjoining to which was the
Port of _Sophia_, but opposite to the City, near the Shore of the
_Bosporus_, where the Continent is divided into two Parts.
_Agathius Scholasticus_ upon the Palaces of SOPHIA.
_Where the streight Sea divides the Continents,
These gilded Palaces the Emperor built
For his dear Consort, fair_ Sophia_’s Use.
The Wonders of thy Beauty, potent_ Rome,
Europe, _and_ Asia, _half th’ extended World
With Pleasure view, and silently admire_.
The Word which in the Original Inscription is wrote δέρκεαι, _Zonaras_
writes δέρκεται. ’Tis easy to discover from these Verses, that the
Palace of _Sophia_ was not seated near the _Bosporus_, but without
the Walls of the City, waich is attested by _Cedrinus_, and many
other Historians, in their Descriptions of the _hard Frost_, which
happen’d in the Reign of _Leo Copronymus_, by which the _Bosporus_
was frozen so hard, that whosoever had a mind to pass over from the
Palace of _Sophia_ to the City, or from _Chrysopolis_ to the Church of
St. _Mamas_, or repass to _Galata_ on the Shore of the _Bosporus_,
might cross over the Ice without the least Danger. The Port of
_Sophia_, before it was call’d the Port of _Julian_, seems to me to
be the same, which was formerly called the _Neorium_, and which the
_ancient Description of the Wards_ places in the same _Ward_ with the
_Hippodrom_; but whether it be one, or either of these, it is now
fill’d up; or if it was that Port which stands West of the Church
of _Bacchus_, ’tis now almost demolish’d, and enclosed with a Wall.
There is only a small Part of it remaining, which is a standing Water,
where the Women wash their Linnen. The People tell you, that they have
seen some Three-Oar’d Gallies which have been sunk there. ’Tis call’d
at present by the Inhabitants _Caterga limena_, or the Port of the
Three-Oar’d Gallies; whether it be the same Port, which is standing on
the East of the Church of _Bacchus_, near the Gate of the City call’d
_Porta Leonis_, which Name it took either from a Lion near it, which
was carved in Stone, or from the Emperor _Leo_, who, they tell you,
had a Palace there, I shall not determine. _Nicephorus_, an Historian
of modern Date, tells us, that an Emperor of _Constantinople_, when
besieged by the People of _Italy_, summoned a Multitude of Smiths into
the _Morion_, which ran round the _Hippodrom_. I could never discover
at _Constantinople_ the Place which was called the _Pyctacia_; yet I
cannot but take Notice from _Cedrinus_, and other modern Historians,
that in the Place which they called the _Pyctacia_, there was a
Pillar which supported the Statue of _Leo_ the Emperor, the Consort
of _Verina_. This Statue, as some write, was erected by his Sister
_Euphemia_, a Lady of great Wisdom and Continency, near her own
House, where _Leo_ every Week, used to pay her a Visit. All Persons
who laboured under Afflictions of any Kind, laid their Petitions to
the Emperor, upon the Steps of this Pillar. The Apparitors took them
up, and when the Emperor waited upon his Sister, they presented them
to him. _Budæus_ says, that the _Pyctacia_, or as he calls them, the
_Pystacia_, were Briefs; though I see no Reason why they may not also
be called Petitions. For as _Pyctium_ signifies a Book, I do not see
why _Pyctacium_ may not signify any smaller Writing. The _Greeks_ at
present generally call their Letters _Pyctacia_. In an History written
by an unknown Author, I have read, that _Eudoxia_ had set up her own
Statue, made of massy Silver, in a Place called the _Pyctacium_. If
the Author be not mistaken, I should take this to be the same Statue
which stood near the Church of St. _Sophia_, by which, as I have shewn
before, stood the Statue of _Eudoxia_. I have seen a small _Treatise_
of _Constantinople_, which says, that _Constantine_ the _Great_ built
a Church to St. _Euphemia_, near the _Hippodrom_, which was afterwards
turned into an Armory by _Constantine_, surnamed _Copronymus_, a
professed Adversary to Images in Churches, and who cast the Reliques
of St. _Euphemia_ into the Sea. _Suidas_ writes, that the Statue of
_Euphemia_ (the Consort of the Emperor _Justin_, who was a _Thracian_)
was placed in the Church of St. _Euphemia_, which she her self had
built. Some modern Writers say, that in the Time of _Basilius_ the
Emperor, there was a great Earthquake which overturned the Church of
St. _Polyclete_, and killed all that were in it; and that from that
Time it was called _Sigma_. I am more inclined to believe, that it took
its Name from a _Portico_ so called, many Ages before this Earthquake,
because it was built after the Similitude of the Letter _Sigma_, and
is placed in the _antient Description_ of _Constantinople_, in the
same _Ward_ with the _Hippodrom_. _Cedrinus_ seems to take Notice
of this Place. _They dragged_, says he, Michael _the Emperor in his
Monks Habit, by the Heels, out of the Monastery of_ Studius, _through
the Market, and leading him beyond the Monastery called_ Periblepton,
_in a Place called_ Sigma, _they put out both his Eyes_. The same
Author tells us, that _Basilius_ the Emperor, a Native of _Macedon_,
rebuilt from the Foundations, a Church to the Honour of the _Blessed
Virgin_, which was called _Sigma_. _Chrysaphius Zomas_, an Eunuch, set
up the Statue of _Theodosius_ the _Less_, in a Place called _Sigma_.
Some Writers affirm, that _Constantine_ the _Great_ built a Church to
St. _Stephen_, in a Place called _Sigma_. The _Sigma_ therefore here
intended, must needs be another Place in the City, distinct from that
which I observed was in the third _Ward_, and ought to be written with
the Letter _e_, as _Segma_; by Reason, as I hinted just now, that the
Fall of the Church of St. _Polyclete_ by an Earthquake, crushed to
Death all that were in it.
CHAP. XVI.
_Of the Fourth_ Ward.
If the _Miliarium Aureum_ had been now in Being, or the People of
_Constantinople_ had preserved the Memory of its Situation, we might
easily discover, from the _antient Description of the Wards_, (which
tells us, that the fourth _Ward_ extended it self, the Hills rising
on the Right and Left, from the _Miliarium Aureum_ to a plain level
Ground) that it was in the first Valley, or on the Ridge of the Hill
that arises just above it. Nor could we have failed to make the like
Discovery from the Remains of the _Augustæum_, the _Basilica_, the
_Nymphæum_, and other fine Buildings, had they not been entirely buried
in their own Ruins. But since no Observations at present can be made
that Way, I was in Suspense, whether or no the Valley, where the fourth
_Ward_ stood, was not the same Valley which I had described at the
first; because it is common to other Vales, to have Hills rising on the
right and left. And when I had sufficiently instructed my self from the
Writings and Histories of learned Men, what Monuments of Antiquity had
formerly been in the fourth _Ward_, and where they had stood, I was
soon sensible that the fourth _Ward_ stood in the first Valley, and on
the Sides of it, and on the Hill near to the Church of St. _Sophia_, as
the Reader will perceive from the following History.
CHAP. XVII.
_Of the_ Forum _called the_ Augustæum, _of the Pillar of_ Theodosius,
_and_ Justinian, _and the_ Senate-House.
_Procopius_ writes, that the _Forum_ which was formerly called the
_Augustæum_, was surrounded with Pillars, and was situate before the
Imperial Palace. Not only the _Forum_ is at present quite defaced,
but the very Name of it is lost, and the whole Ground where it stood
is built upon. The Palace is entirely in Ruines, yet I collect from
the _Pedestal_ of a Pillar of _Justinian_ lately standing, but now
removed by the _Turks_, which _Procopius_ says was built by _Justinian_
in the _Augustæum_, and _Zonaras_ in the Court before the Church of
_Sophia_, that the _Augustæum_ stood where there is now a Fountain,
at the West End of the Church of St. _Sophia_. _Suidas_ says, that
_Justinian_, after he had built the Church of St. _Sophia_, cleansed
the Court, and paved it with Marble, and that it was formerly called
the _Forum Augustæum_; and adds, that he erected his own Statue there.
_Procopius_ writes, _That there was a certain_ Forum _facing the
Senate House, which was called by the Citizens the_ Augustæum; _where
are seven Stones, so cemented together in a quadrangular Manner,
and are so contracted one within another the upper within the lower
Stone, that a Man may conveniently sit down upon every Projecture of
them_. I was more induced to give this Account from _Procopius_, of
the Pedestal, because I do not find it in his _printed Works_. Upon
the Top of it, says he, there’s erected a large Pillar, composed of
many Stones covered with Brass, which did at once both strengthen and
adorn them. The Plates of Brass did not reflect so strong a Lustre
as pure Gold, yet was it, in Value, little inferior to Silver. On
the Top of the Statue was set a large Horse in Brass, facing the
East, which indeed afforded a noble Prospect. He seemed to be in a
marching Posture, and struggling for Speed. His near Foot before was
curvated, as though he would paw the Ground; his off Foot was fixed
to the _Pedestal_, and his hind Feet were so contracted, as though he
was prepared to be gone. Upon the Horse was placed the Statue of the
Emperor. ’Twas made of Brass, large like a _Colossus_, dress’d in a
warlike Habit like _Achilles_, with Sandals on his Feet, and armed
with a Coat of Mail, and a shining Helmet. He looked Eastward, and
seemed to be marching against the _Persians_. In his left Hand he bore
a Globe, devised to signify his universal Power over the whole World.
On the Top of it was fixed a Cross, to which he attributed all his
Successes in War, and his Accession to the Imperial Dignity. His right
Hand was stretched to the East, and by pointing with his Fingers, he
seemed to forbid the barbarous Nations to approach nearer, but to stand
off at their Peril. _Tzetzes_, in his _Various History_, describes
what kind of Helmet he had upon his Head. _The_ Persians, says he,
_generally wore a Turbant upon the Head. When the_ Romans _obtained
any Victory over them, they plundered them of these Turbants, which
they placed upon their own Heads. They are_, says he, _of the same
Shape with that, with which the Statue of_ Justinian, _erected upon a
large Pillar, is crowned_. _Cedrinus_ relates, that _Justinian_ held
the Globe in his Silver Hand. _Zonaras_ writes, that _Justinian_, in
the seventeenth Year of his Reign, set up this Pillar, in the same
Place, where formerly had stood another Pillar of _Theodosius_ the
_Great_, bearing his Statue in Silver, made at the Expence of his Son
_Arcadius_, which weighed seven Thousand four Hundred Pounds. When
_Justinian_ had demolished the Statue and the Pillar, he stripped it of
a vast Quantity of Lead, of which he made Pipes for _Aqueducts_, which
brought the Water into the City. This ill Treatment of _Theodosius_
by _Justinian_, was revenged upon him by the _Barbarians_; for they
used his Pillar in the same Manner, and stripped it of the Statue, the
Horse, and the Brass wherewith it was covered, so that it was only a
bare Column for some Years. About thirty Years ago the whole _Shaft_
was taken down to the _Pedestal_, and that, about a Year since, was
demolished down to the _Basis_, from whence I observed a Spring to
spout up with Pipes, into a large Cistern. At present there stands in
the same Place a Water-House, and the Pipes are enlarged. I lately
saw the _Equestrian_ Statue of _Justinian_, erected upon the Pillar
which stood here, and which had been preserved a long Time in the
Imperial Precinct, carried into the melting Houses, where they cast
their Ordnance. Among the Fragments were the Leg of _Justinian_, which
exceeded my Height, and his Nose, which was above nine Inches long.
I dared not publickly measure the Horse’s Legs, as they lay upon the
Ground, but privately measured one of the Hoofs, and found it to be
nine Inches in Height. _Suidas_, and some modern Historians allure us,
that it was called the _Forum Augustæum_, because the _Curatores_,
and _Sebastophori_, on the fifteenth Day of _October_, used to dance
in the Market Place there, in Honour of _Augustus_; or because the
Statues of _Constantine_, and his Mother _Helena_, were set up in an
arched Gallery which stood here. _Zosimus_, a more antient Historian
than _Procopius_, asserts, that _Constantine_ built a round Market,
with four _Portico_’s, two in a Row, above each other; and that he
roofed two of them with _Proconnesian_ Marble, that you might pass from
them unto the Portico of _Severus_, and from thence beyond the Bounds
of the antient City; and adds, that this Market stood in a Place, to
which there was a Passage thro’ a Landgate adjacent. This is the same
Market which is intended by the _unknown Author_ of the _History of
Constantinople_, where he tells us, that _Constantine_ built a Market
in a circular Manner. The same Author tells us in another Place, that
when he was at _Constantinople_, _Constantine_ had surrounded the great
_Forum_ with four _Portico_’s and placed at both Ends of one of them,
which you ascend by many Steps, two Statues: At one End was placed
the Statue of _Rhea_, the Mother of the Gods, (the same Statue, which
those who sailed with _Jason_, placed on Mount _Dindymus_) rising above
the City of _Cyzicus_. They tell you, that for her Neglect in paying
divine Worship to the Gods, the Statue was defaced; and that her Hands,
which before held the Reins of two Lyons which stood before her, were
changed into a petitioning Posture. This Statue at the same Time faced
and adorned the City. At the other End of the _Portico_ he placed the
_Fortune_ of the City, though _Suidas_ relates, that the _Fortune_
of the City stood in a Nich of the _Miliarium_. If this Statue was
set up here by _Constantine_, I should think, that both the Markets
mentioned by _Zosimus_ are one and the same. But to me they seem to be
different; because _Zosimus_ tells us in one Place, that _Constantine_
built a Market with two _Portico’s_ round it, and afterwards, that
he built a Market with four _Portico_’s round it; unless he reckons
in the Account, the _Portico’s_ of _Severus_ and _Constantine_, from
whence there was a free Entrance into other _Portico’s_. On the East
Side of the _Forum Augusteum_, _Procopius_ writes, that _Justinian_
built a large Court, where the Senate used to assemble, and celebrate
an Anniversary Festival every new Year. Before the Senate-House stand
six Columns, two of which support the Western Wall, in the Middle of
it. The other four stand at a little Distance from it. These Pillars
are all of white Marble, and I look upon them to be the largest in
the World. The other six support a _Portico_, which runs round the
Top of a large Building. The upper Part of the _Portico_ is adorned
with Marble elegantly variegated, and equal to that of the Columns,
and is furnished with an infinite Variety of curious Statues. I am
of Opinion, that _Justinian_ did not build this _Senate-House_, but
that he rebuilt the old _Senate-House_, which was burnt down by the
Fire, which consumed the Church of St. _Sophia_, and the Baths of
_Zeuxippus_. For _Sozomen_ writes, that _Constantine_ the _Great_
built the Great Council-Hall, which was called the _Senate-House_, and
ordered it to be held in equal Dignity, and honoured it with the same
publick Celebration of the Feast of the _Calends_, with that of antient
_Rome_. He tells us where this great Court stood, when he writes, that
the silver Statue of _Eudoxia Augusta_ was placed upon a _Porphyry_
Pillar, on the South Side of the Church of St. _Sophia_, beyond the
high Pulpit, which faces the _Senate-House_. _Socrates_ tells us, that
it was neither erected near, nor at any considerable Distance from the
Church of St. _Sophia_; but beyond the broad Way, as _Suidas_ observes,
which runs between them both. _In the Tribunal of the Palace_, says he,
_stood the Pillar of_ Eudoxia, _the Wife of_ Theodosius. The Treatise
_of the antient Description of the Wards_ places the Senate-House,
the _Tribunal_ with _Porphyry_ Steps, and the _Basilica_, all in
the same _Ward_. _Sozomen_ clearly points out the Situation of the
_Senate-House_, where he says, that when a Tumult arose concerning the
Expulsion of St. _Chrysostom_, the great Church was all on a sudden in
a Blaze, which burnt down the Buildings upon the Walks, and the Great
_Senate-House_, lying to the South of them. There are some Remains of
the Walls of the _Senate-House_ still standing, southerly of the Church
of St. _Sophia_, beyond the Way that leads from the Imperial Gate to
the _Forum_ of _Constantine_.
CHAP. XVIII.
_Of the Imperial Palace, the_ Basilica; _of the Palace of_
Constantine, _and the House of Entrance nam’d_ Chalca.
Not far from the _Forum Augusteum_, as _Procopius_ writes, stood a
Palace, the Statelyness and Magnificence of which the Reader may
easily guess at from the Description he gives of the _Vestibulum_,
or the House of Entrance into it. This _Vestibulum_ is call’d the
_Chalca_, which is made after this Manner. There are four strait Walls
carried up to a great Height in a quadrangular Figure, from each
Angle of which there projects a Stone Building curiously finish’d,
which rises with the Wall from Top to Bottom, no ways intercepting
the beauteous Prospect before you, but seeming rather to add to the
Pleasure and Agreeableness of it. Above this Building are raised
eight Arches, supporting the Roof, which rises into a globular Height
most beautifully adorn’d. The Roof of it is not furnish’d with fine
Paintings, but shines with _Mosaick_ Work of all sorts of Colours,
in the several Figures of Men, and other Kinds of Creatures. The
Historian at large has explain’d the Designs, which are the Scenes
of War, of Battles, and the Surrender of many Towns, both in _Africa_
and _Italy_. Among other Curiosities are describ’d the Victories of
_Justinian_ under his General _Belisarius_, and his triumphant Return
to the Emperor. The Courage and Chearfulness of his Army is expressed
in a lively Manner. The General is figured in an humble Posture, as
making an Offering to him of all the Kings, the Kingdoms, and other
rich Spoils he had taken from the Enemy. In the Middle of the Work
is represented the Emperor and his Empress _Theodora_ in a pleasant
gay Humour, celebrating a Festival in Honour of his Victory over
the _Goths_ and _Vandals_, and bringing great Numbers of Captives
before him. The whole Senate is described round them, joining in the
Celebration. They all look chearful and merry, smiling, and highly
pleased with the Honour they have to attend the Emperor on so important
an Occasion. I would here observe, that as _Papinius_ in his _Sylvæ_
calls the _Basilica_ of _Paulus_, the Palace of _Paulus_, so the
House, which _Procopius_ calls Βασιλεῖον went by the Name both of
the _Basilica_ and the Palace. And I am confirm’d in this Opinion
from _Cedrinus_, who says, That the Fire which happen’d in the Reign
of _Justinian_, burnt down the Porch, or House of Entrance into the
_Basilica_, the _Basilica_ itself, and the brazen Covering of the
Palace of _Constantine the Great_, which from that Time to this Day,
is call’d the _Chalca_, because it is cover’d with Plates of Brass
gilded. What _Cedrinus_ calls the _Basilica_, _Procopius_, in his Book
_De Ædif. Justiniani_, calls τὰ Βασιλεῖα, when speaking of the Fire
above-mention’d, he tells us, That it consumed the Gate-houses τῶν
Βασιλείων, and that in particular which was call’d _Chalca_: The same
Writer adds a little lower, that the Emperor commanded _Belisarius_
to go to the _Chalca_, and the other Houses of Entrance seated by it.
From which Words it is observable, that _Procopius_ seems to believe,
that there were other Houses of Entrance into the Palace, though in
the Beginning of this Chapter he mentions only the _Chalca_. It is
my Opinion, that the House where the Emperor dwelt was first call’d
the _Basilica_; that afterwards, when the great Houses, where the
Merchants assembled for Trade and Commerce, were call’d _Basilica_,
the Emperor’s House was call’d Βασιλεῖον; and, at last, the Palace.
If there was any Difference between the _Basilica_ and the Palace,
yet the _Basilica_ was either a part of the Palace, or built near to
it, as the Reader may see in the _Ancient Description of the Wards_,
which places the _Augusteum_ and the _Basilica_ in the same _Ward_.
As this _Treatise_ takes no Notice in this _Ward_ either of a Palace
or a Court, but only of a _Basilica_, it seems to intimate, that the
_Basilica_ was the Palace itself. But whether the _Basilica_ was within
or without the Palace, it is certain it was near it, because they were
both destroy’d by Fire, by reason of their Vicinity to one another; and
the Rules of _Architecture_ prescribe, that it be built near a Market,
which is always near the Palace; and that it be built warm, that the
Merchants may manage their Business there in Winter Time, without any
Molestation from the Severity of the Weather. _Julius Pollux_ is of
the same Opinion, who says, That the _Stadia_, the _Hippodrom_, the
_Senate-House_, the _Forum_, the Court, the Imperial _Portico_, and the
_Tribunal_, ought to stand near the Theatre. _Cedrinus_ writes, that
the beautiful Structure of the _Chalca_ was built by one _Ætherius_ a
famous Architect, by the Command of the wife of Emperor _Anastasius_,
as appears from a _Greek_ Inscription upon it, which runs thus:
Upon a Building in the Palace, call’d _Chalca_.
_I am the Palace of fam’d_ Anastasius
_The Scourge of Tyrants; none surpasses me,
In Beauty, and in wonderful Contrivance.
When the Surveyors view’d my mighty Bulk,
My Height, my Length, and my extensive Breadth;
’Twas thought beyond the Reach of human Power
To roof at Top my widely gaping Walls.
But young_ Ætherius, _ancient in his Art,
This Building finish’d, and an Offering made
To our good Emperor.
Not_ Italy, _with all its Glory shews
A Structure so magnificent and great;
Not the proud_ Capitol _of ancient_ Rome
_With all its gilded Roofs can rival me.
The costly Galleries of_ Pergamus,
Ruffinus’ _Walks, and stately_ Portico’s
_Crowded with Art, and marbled Images
Submit to my superior Workmanship.
Not the fam’d Temple, which at_ Cyzico,
_By_ Adrian _built, stands on a lofty Rock,
Nor_ Ægypt’s _costly_ Pyramids, _nor at_ Rhodes
_The mighty_ Colosse _equal me in Greatness.
When my good Emperor, in hostile Manner,
Quell’d the_ Isaurian _Faction, thus he rais’d me
In Honour of_ Aurora, _and the Winds_.
Some modern Historians will have it, that _Constantine the Great_ first
built the Palace of _Chalca_. I should be inclinable to disbelieve
them, but that I am induced to think it was so, when I observ’d the
brazen Tyles gilded with Gold, resembling those of the _Capitol_,
and a _Forum_ of _Old Rome_, whose Buildings _Constantine_ was proud
to imitate, as near as he could. I could never learn, who it was who
remov’d the Tyles of the _Chalca_; though it is not improbable, but
that they were spoiled by the Fire. ’Tis related by _Procopius_, that
_Genseric_ plunder’d half the _Roman_ Capitol of the gilded Plates of
Brass that cover’d it, and that _Constantine_ the _Third_, the Nephew
of _Heraclius_, carry’d off the Silver Plates which were laid over the
_Pantheon_. At a small Distance (on the South-west Side of the Church
of St. _Sophia_) from the Water-Pipes of an _Aqueduct_ running from a
Conduit situate in the _Forum Augusteum_, where was erected the Pillar
of _Justinian_, are still remaining seven _Corinthian_ Pillars, on the
_Shaft_ of one of which is cut the Name of _Constantine_, with the
_Signal_ of the Cross he saw in the Heavens, with this Inscription,
ἐν τούτῳ νίκα. The _Basis_ and _Shaft_ of these Pillars are buried,
at the Bottom of them, under Ground, to the Depth of six Foot, which
I discover’d, when I casually fell into the Foundation of the Walls,
which were built between them. I could not see the _Plinth_ of the
_Base_ of any of them, because it was cover’d with Earth; yet I
perceiv’d the lowermost _Tore_, which was eight Digits in Thickness,
and seven in Height. The Stone at the Bottom of the _Shaft_ was nine
Inches broad. Every Pillar is thirty Foot and six Digits high: In
short, the whole _Pillar_, _Capital_ and _Pedestal_, is about forty six
Foot and a half in Height. The Bottom of the _Shaft_, which I measured
just above the Stone it bears upon, is eighteen Foot in Circumference.
The Pillars stand at the Distance of twenty Foot and ten Digits from
each other. The Inhabitants say, that these Pillars stood within the
Palace of _Constantine_; others say, that they formerly supported a
Bridge, over which you passed, as you went from the Palace to the
Church of St. _Sophia_. But there is nothing of Truth in either of
these Opinions; for ’tis plain from what I observed before, that they
stood in the _Forum Augusteum_. So that I am inclined to believe, that
they supported the Arches of the _Portico’s_, in which the Statues of
_Constantine the Great_, his Mother _Helena_, and other Statues were
placed. From what I have said, the Reader may trace the Beauty and
Grandeur of the Palaces at _Constantinople_, as well as from _Zosimus_,
who says, that _Constantine_ built some Palaces at _Constantinople_,
little inferior to those of _Rome_. _Eusebius_ reports, that he
illustrated and adorn’d _New Rome_, and the Imperial Palace, in other
respects, besides those I have mention’d, but that in the finest
Buildings of his Palace, and in the Middle of all his gilded Roofs, he
fix’d a Cross set with several Kinds of the richest Jewels, shining
with massy Gold; intimating thereby, that he look’d upon the Cross as
the Defence and Bulwark of his Government. St. _Jerome_ tells us, _That
he stripp’d almost every City of its Curiosities and Ornaments,
to adorn his New_ Rome. _Eusebius_ also mentions the Statues of the
_Muses_, which he caused to be fix’d up in his Palace. _Sozomen_
writes, that by the Command of _Constantine_, all that was valuable in
the Temples of the Ancients under his Government, and all the brazen
Statues of the nicest Workmanship were brought to _Constantinople_, to
beautify the City; which, he tells us, remain’d in the publick _Ways_,
in the _Hippodrom_, and in the Palace, down to his Time. But not only
_Constantine the Great_, but many other Emperors of _Constantinople_
ravaged the whole World for the Decoration of this City. Among these
was _Constantine the Third_, the Nephew of _Heraclius_, who plunder’d
_ancient Rome_ of all its brazen and Marble Statues, ship’d off all
the costly Furniture of their Temples, and made more Havock there in
the Space of seven Days, than the _barbarous_ Nations did in the Space
of two hundred and fifty Years; for so many Years was the _Roman_
Empire in its Declension before that general Pillage. _Iornandes_, no
indifferent Writer of the _Getick_ History, reports, That _Theodorick
Prefect_ of _Constantinople_ was adopted, and made Consul by the
Emperor _Zeno_, who honour’d him with an _Equestrian_ Statue, which was
erected before the Palace. _Tzetzes_, in his _various History_, tells
us, that even in his Time, the Head of _Apollo_, made by _Phidias_ in
the Likeness of the Sun, remain’d in the Palace. _Suidas_ relates, that
the Statue of _Pulcheria_, the Daughter of _Arcadius_, was placed in
the _Chalca_, near the Walks of _Ariadne_ the first Wife of _Zeno_,
and that the Statues of _Zeno_ himself were set up in the Imperial
Gate-house of _Chalca_; as were also two other Statues on foot, erected
upon a small Pillar, with Elegies inscrib’d upon them, composed by
_Secundus_ the Philosopher. I have seen in the History of no creditable
Author, tho’ well known to the People of _Constantinople_, that
_Justinian_ erected on the left Side of the _Chalca_, seven Statues in
Honour of his Relations, some of Brass, and some of Marble, and that
he had also set up two Horses in the Nich before the _Chalca_, as also
some gilded Heads of Women, in the frightful Likeness of _Medusa_; I
could mention others, but that I do not much depend upon the Authority
of the History. _Suidas_ says, that in the _Tribunal_ of the Palace
stood the Statues of _Eudoxia_, and her Emperor _Theodosius_; of
_Marcian_ and _Constantine_, till the Time of _Heraclius_.
CHAP. XIX.
_Of the_ Basilica, _and the Imperial Walks_.
The _Basilica_, which, as I observed before, stood in the _Forum
Augusteum_, had four Arches, as appears from the ancient following
Inscriptions on them.
Upon an Arch in the _Basilica_ of _Byzantium_.
_Great_ Theodore, _who beautify’d the City
With four extensive Arches, highly merits
The Government of four Imperial Cities_.
And on another Part of the same Arch:
_You_, Theodorus, _with surprizing Art,
Once_ Consul, _and thrice_ Prefect _of the City,
Adorn’d this shining Fane with lofty Pillars,
Sacred to_ Fortune, _Goddess of the City_.
_Calliades_, General of the _Byzantian_ Army, plac’d the Statues of
_Byzas_ and _Phidalia_ in the _Basilica_, with this Inscription upon
them:
Calliades _erected here the Statues
Of_ Byzas, _and his lov’d_ Phidalia.
And on the Statue of _Phidalia_:
_This is the Statue of the fair_ Phidalia
_Young_ Byzas’ _Wife, the Work of_ Bupalus.
_Pliny_, among other Statuaries, mentions _Anthermus_ of _Chios_,
and his Sons _Biopalus_ and _Anthermus_. _Dionysius_, a Native of
_Byzantium_ writes, that _Byzas_, from whom _Byzantium_ took its Name,
was the Husband of _Phidalia_, from whom the Port of the _Bosporus_
took the Name of the Port of _Phidalia_, of which I have wrote more
largely in my _Treatise of the Bosporus_. _Suidas_, and some modern
Writers say, that in the _Basilica_, behind the _Miliarium Aureum_,
there was a gilded Statue in the Likeness of a Man, where was also the
_Exammon_ of _Heraclius_, and the Statue of _Justin_ the Emperor in
a kneeling Posture. _Terbelis_ is said to have preached in the same
Place. Here was also placed by the Order of _Severus_, the Figure
of a large Elephant, upon the following Occasion: That an Elephant
being stabled near it, and the House of a Silver-Smith, who worked
in Plate, being robbed, he suspecting the Keeper of the Elephant to
be the Thief, threatned him with Death, unless he would move his
Station; and the Fellow bidding him Defiance, he slew him, and threw
him to the Elephant, at which the Beast being enraged, killed his
Keeper’s Murderer. _Severus_ being acquainted with the Fact, offered
Sacrifices to the Elephant, commanded him and his Keeper to be cast
in Brass, and set up here; where also, as _Suidas_ relates, was the
Statue of _Hercules_, to which the _Byzantians_ paid divine Adoration,
and offered Sacrifice. Afterwards, in the _Consulship_ of _Julian_,
it was moved into the _Hippodrom_; but was originally, with ten other
Statues, brought from _Old Rome_, partly by Sea, and partly by Land
Carriage. Thus it was that _Hercules_, living and dead, travelled the
greatest Part of the World. _Suidas_ writes, that in the Imperial
Walks were placed the _Equestrian_ Statues of _Trajan_, _Theodosius_,
_Valentinian_, _Gibbus_, and _Firmillianus_ the Buffoon. There were
many other Statues of Emperors and Eunuchs set up in this Place, the
most famous of which was the Statue of _Eutropius_, who was Chamberlain
to the Emperor _Arcadius_. The Honour and Opulency of this Eunuch
appeared in numberless gilded Statues, erected to him in every Part
of the City, and the Magnificence and Superiority of the Houses he
built, almost in every Street. This so far encouraged and increased the
Number of the Eunuchs, that even the Boys affected to be so, that they
might become as rich and as honourable as _Eutropius_. The _Basilica_
was so near to the _Miliarium_, and the _Augusteum_, that the Clock
made by the Command of the Emperor _Justin_, _Cedrinus_ places in
the _Miliarium_, others in the _Forum Augusteum_, and others in the
_Basilica_, as is evident from the following Inscription.
On the _Basis_ of the Dial over the Arch in the _Basilica_.
_This Dial was erected at the Cost
Of Prince_ Justinus, _and the fair_ Sophia.
_The Scourge of execrable Tyrants he,
She the bright Patroness of Liberty.
Behold the_ Gnomon _cast in shining Brass,
The certain_ Index _of the flying Hours.
This was the Invention of the learned_ Julian
_An honest, upright, and impartial Lawyer_.
CHAP. XX.
_Of the Imperial Library, and_ Portico; _as also of the Imperial_
Cistern.
The Imperial Palace, says _Zonaras_, stood near the _Basilica_,
hard by the Brasiers Shops. The _Basilica_ was furnished with many
Volumes, both of human and divine Learning. It was anciently the
Mansion House of some Person of distinguished Knowledge, whom they
called the President or Master. He had under him twelve Assistants,
excellently well skilled in the Art of Reasoning, who were maintained
at the publick Charge. They had each of them several Pupils under
them, who were instructed in the Methods of Argumentation, and were
had in such high Estimation, that upon all important Affairs of State,
the Emperors summoned them to Council. In the Reign of _Basilicus_,
there happened at _Constantinople_ a great Fire, which begun at, and
consumed the Brasiers Shops, with all the adjacent Buildings, burnt
down whole Streets; and among other fine Edifices, destroyed the famous
_Basilica_, which contained a Library of six hundred thousand Volumes.
Among other Curiosities of this Place, was the Gut of a Dragon, a
hundred and twenty Foot long, on which were inscribed in Golden
Characters the _Iliads_ and _Odysses_ of _Homer_. _Malchus_, a learned
_Byzantian_, wrote the History of _Constantinople_, which he brought
down from the Reign of _Constantine_, to the Time of _Anastasius_
the Emperor, in which he very passionately laments the burning of
the publick Library, and the Statues of the _Forum Augusteum_.
_Cedrinus_ speaking of the same Library, gives the same Account of it
with _Zonaras_, almost word for word, and adds, _That this Library
contain’d the Histories of the Atchievements of the greatest Heroes, in
the several Ages of the World_. Many Years after this _Basilica_ was
burn’d down, the Emperor _Leo Conon_, the Students vigorously opposing
his Heresy, order’d the Palace to be fired, and burnt them, and the
Library; which was afterwards rebuilt, and furnished with a most
curious Collection of the best Authors. The _Basilicæ_ at _Old Rome_,
were the Places where they used to plead, to hold their Councils and
_Senates_, and to carry on the Business of Merchandize and Commerce: At
_Constantinople_ they were used as Libraries and Schools of Learning,
as appears by what I have already observ’d, as also from the following
Inscription.
Upon the publick School in _Byzantium_.
_This Place was built for all th’ unletter’d Youth
Whose_ Genius _leads ’em to the_ Roman _Law.
In Pleading skill’d, and fraught with Eloquence,
They leave these Walls, and plead their Countrey’s Cause._
Modern Writers tell us, that the Place where the Library stood was of
an Octogonal Figure, where there were arch’d _Portico’s_, and a large
Room, where the head Master used to converse with his Assistants.
_Cedrinus_ affirms, that the great Church, the Hospital of _Sampson_,
the Gate-house of the _Basilica_, the _Augusteum_, the _Chalca_, the
two long _Portico’s_, as far as the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, the
_Octogon_, and the _Bagnio’s_ of _Zeuxippus_, were destroy’d by a
Fire, which happen’d in the Reign of _Justinian_. I would observe
from this Passage, that there must of Necessity be two _Octogons_
near one another. For if the _Octogon_, as _Cedrinus_ reports, had
been the same with that where the Library stood, he would not have
omitted to take Notice that the Library was burnt down also in the
Reign of _Justinian_. It is my Opinion, that the Place where the
Library stood, was of a quadrangular Figure, and seems to be the
same Building which _Procopius_ says was encompassed with Pillars
erected in a square Manner. _Zonaras_ mentions nothing of the Form of
the _Basilica_, which contain’d the Library, but only says, that it
adjoin’d to the _Chalcopratia_, or Braziers Shops. _Cedrinus_ calls
the _Basilica_, _Cisterna_, which some Writers erroneously tell us,
was built by _Constantine the Great_. I am confirm’d in this Opinion
from _Procopius_, who says, that near the Imperial _Portico_, where
the Lawyers used to plead, there was a spacious Building of a great
Length and Breadth, encompassed with Pillars in a quadrangular Manner,
situate on a rocky Ground, which was built by _Justinian_ to a great
Height, for preserving the Water in Summer, which was brought into it
by subterraneous Pipes, and in the Winter from the _Aqueducts_, for
the Use of the Poor. _Menander_, surnam’d the _Protector_, says of
himself, that it was once against his Inclinations to enter into the
Litigations of the Law in the Imperial _Portico_, and by the Force of
Pleading, to attempt to reconcile the Jarrings and Contentions of Men.
_Agathius_ plays handsomly upon one _Uranius_ a Native of _Syria_,
who set up for a Physician, although he was entirely ignorant of the
_Aristotelian_ Discipline. This Fellow was blustering, noisy, an
impudent Pretender to infallible Cures, and very talkative, among other
Places, in the Imperial _Portico_; and speaking of himself, he tells
us, that he has often from Morning to Night read over many Law Books,
and Discourses of Trade and Commerce in the Imperial _Portico_’s. From
these Passages it is observable, that the Imperial _Portico_, and the
Imperial _Cistern_, stood in the same Place. The Imperial _Portico_
is not to be seen, though the _Cistern_ is still remaining. Through
the Carelesness and Contempt of every thing that is curious in the
Inhabitants, it was never discover’d, but by me, who was a Stranger
among them, after a long and diligent Search after it. The whole Ground
was built upon, which made it less suspected there was a _Cistern_
there. The People had not the least Suspicion of it, although they
daily drew their Water out of the Wells which were sunk into it. I went
by Chance into a House, where there was a Descent into it, and went
aboard a little Skiff. The Master of the House, after having lighted
some Torches, rowing me here and there across, through the Pillars,
which lay very deep in Water, I made a Discovery of it. He was very
intent upon catching his Fish, with which the _Cistern_ abounds, and
spear’d some of them by the Light of the Torches. There is also a small
Light which descends from the Mouth of the Well, and reflects upon the
Water, where the Fish usually come for Air. This _Cistern_ is three
hundred and thirty six Foot long, a hundred and eighty two Foot broad,
and two hundred and twenty four _Roman_ Paces in Compass. The Roof, and
Arches, and Sides, are all Brick-work, and cover’d with Terrass, which
is not the least impair’d by Time. The Roof is supported with three
hundred and thirty six Marble Pillars. The Space of _Intercolumniation_
is twelve Foot. Each Pillar is above forty Foot nine Inches high.
They stand lengthways in twelve Ranges, broad-ways in twenty eight.
The _Capitals_ of them are partly finish’d after the _Corinthian_
Model, and part of them not finish’d. Over the _Abacus_ of every Pillar
is placed a large Stone, which seems to be another _Abacus_, and
supports four Arches. There are abundance of Wells which fall into the
_Cistern_. I have seen, when it was filling in the Winter-time, a large
Stream of Water falling from a great Pipe with a mighty Noise, till the
Pillars, up to the Middle of the _Capitals_, have been cover’d with
Water. This _Cistern_ stands Westward of the Church of St. _Sophia_, at
the Distance of eighty _Roman_ Paces from it.
CHAP. XXI.
_Of the_ Chalcopratia.
It is plain from what has been observed, that the _Chalcopratia_,
or Places where they work’d their Brass, stood near the _Basilica_.
_Cedrinus_ reports, That _Theodosius the Less_ built the Church of the
_Chalcopratia_, and dedicated it to the Virgin _Mary_. Others say,
that the _Jews_, who had lived there from the Time of _Constantine the
Great_, had obliged _Theodosius the Less_ to retire from thence, and
built that Church; and that afterwards, when it had been shatter’d by
an Earthquake, it was rebuilt by _Justin Curopalatos_, tho’ _Zonaras_
is of another Opinion. _Theodosius the Great_, says he, _marching into
the Western Parts, the_ Jews _took the Opportunity, and made_ Honoratus
_the Prefect of the City, their Friend, and obtain’d of him the
Freedom to build a Synagogue in the_ Chalcopratia: _The People being
enraged at this, set it on fire, and burnt it down. When_ Theodosius
_was made acquainted with the Fact, he lay’d a Fine upon those who were
concern’d in it, and gave them a fresh Licence to build another. St._
Ambrose, _who was then Bishop of_ Milan, _being inform’d of the Matter,
lay’d before_ Theodosius _the Greatness of the Crime, in suffering the_
Jews _to build a Synagogue in the very Centre of the Queen of Cities,
upon which he remitted the Fine, and stopp’d their Proceedings_.
There are no Braziers Shops in this Place at present, they being
removed into another part of the City, tho’ I was inform’d by some
of the Inhabitants, that not many Years since they follow’d their
Trade near the _Chalcopratia_. The _unknown Author_ of the History of
_Constantinople_, describing the Boundaries of _Old Byzantium_, tells
us, _That the_ Chalcopratia _were not far from the_ Miliarium. Others
say, that they were near the Church of St. _Sophia_. _Strabo_ speaking
of the Palace of _Alexandria_, relates, that in Conformity to this at
_Constantinople_, it had a Library, a _Portico_, a Convocation-House,
or Place of Assembly upon publick Affairs, and a large publick
Foundation for the Encouragement of Persons of Literature and Science.
CHAP. XXII.
_Of the_ Portico’s _situate between the Palace, and the_ Forum _of_
Constantine.
Besides the Imperial _Portico_, which stood near the Library, there
were also other _Portico’s_ at a little Distance from it, which reach’d
from the Palace to the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. The first Fire, which
happen’d in the Reign of _Justinian_, consumed the Palace and the
Church of St. _Sophia_, both the long _Portico_’s, as far as the _Forum
of Constantine_. _Cedrinus_ says, that besides these, it destroy’d also
the _Chalca_ and the _Augusteum_. The Fire that happen’d afterwards
in the Reign of _Basiliscus_, began at the _Chalcopratia_, burnt down
the two adjoining _Portico’s_, all the neighbouring Buildings, the
_Basilica_, in which was the Library, two _Portico’s_ which stood
between the Palaces, and all the fine Ornaments of the _Lausus_. These
_Portico’s_ have been often burnt, and as often rebuilt; first of
all by _Justinian_, then by others, and last by _Domninus_, which is
confirm’d by a modern Historian, who says, That when _Constantinople_
was taken by the _Gauls_ and the _Venetians_, the cover’d _Portico_’s
of _Domninus_ reaching on both Sides of the Way, from the _Miliarium_
to the Forum of _Constantine_, were burnt to the Ground. Some say,
That in the Time of _Constantine the Great_, _Eubulus_ built four
double _Portico’s_, which were arch’d at Top, and reach’d from the
Palace to the Land Wall of the City; one of which stretch’d as far
as the Church of St. _Anthony_, at the End of the City, another from
the Port of _Sophia_, to the Church named _Rabdon_; the other two
extended themselves from the _Chalca_, and the _Miliarium_ to the
_Forum_ of _Constantine_, the Street call’d _Taurus_, and the _Brazen
Bull_. All of them were paved with square Marble, and adorn’d with
infinite Numbers of Statues. These Relations, though they come from
unknown Authors, who, as I have sometimes observed, have not so
strictly adhered to Truth, yet seem to carry with them a good Face of
Probability, since it is evident from Historians of more Veracity, how
industrious _Constantine_ was in adorning the City; and ’tis no less
evident from the _Treatise of the ancient Description of the Wards_,
that _Constantinople_, in the Reigns of _Arcadius_ and _Honorius_,
had no less than fifty two publick _Portico’s_, five of which the
Author places in the fourth _Ward_, in which stood the _Basilica_,
the Imperial _Portico_, and the _Portico_ of _Fannio_; besides which,
he places four large _Portico’s_ in the sixth _Ward_. In the same
_Ward_ he places another large _Portico_. He adds, that the seventh
_Ward_ abounds with _Portico’s_, and that the eighth _Ward_ had six
_Portico’s_ more. In the ninth _Ward_ were two large _Portico’s_. The
tenth had six, the eleventh four. From which it is credible, that the
_Portico’s_ stood very thick from the _Chalca_ to the Land Wall, but I
cannot say they were contiguous beyond the _Taurus_.
CHAP. XXIII.
_Of the_ Miliarium Aureum _and its Statues, and of the_ Fortune _of
the City, and her Statue_.
The _Miliarium Aureum_ was a gilded Pillar, from whence they used
to adjust the Mensuration of their Miles, and the Distances from
the City. _Pliny_ tells us, that it was set up at _Rome_ in the
highest Ground of the publick _Forum_; but whether the _Miliarium_ at
_Constantinople_ was like that of _Rome_, the _Greek_ Historians have
been so far from declaring their Opinions concerning it, that in all
their Writings they have not so much as mention’d the Name of it. Yet
it seems very probable to me, that it was like it, and was also seated
in the _Forum_, or near it. For the _Ancient Description of the Wards_
places it in the _Ward_ where the _Forum Augusteum_ and the _Basilica_
stood, to which it adjoin’d. They who have written the History of
the Atchievements of _Alexius Comnenus_ the Emperor, tell us, that
at Break of Day, the Forces of _Alexius_, marching out of the great
Palace, under the Command of _Sabatius_ their General, enter’d the
Church of St. _John_ the _Divine_, and when they had got to the Top of
the Church, they express’d themselves in a provoking manner, so that a
Battle began about three in the Morning, and that many People in the
_Forum_ were wounded, who fought from the Roof of the _Miliarium_, and
the Top of St. _John_’s Church. The Inhabitants say, that this was the
Church where the Elephants of the _Grand Seignor_ are now stabled. ’Tis
near the _Hippodrom_, and the _Forum Cupedinis_, famous for Niceties,
situate near the Church of St. _Sophia_, and was formerly called the
_Forum Augusteum_. But to come closer to the Point: _Suidas_ says,
_That in the_ Basilica, _behind the_ Miliarium, _were placed a gilded
Statue of a Man, as also of an Elephant and his Keeper_; others, with
more Probability, say, that these Statues were erected behind the
_Basilica_, near the _Miliarium_. _Suidas_ adds, that the Statue of
_Theodosius_ was placed in the _Miliarium_, and that upon the setting
it up, he distributed large Donations of Corn among the People. Upon
the _Equestrian_ Statue of _Theodosius_, not remaining at present, were
inscrib’d these Verses.
_Not the bright Sun, which gilds the Eastern Sky,
With greater Lustre shines, than_ Theodosius.
_See how he sits aloft in radiant Arms,
And with mild Aspect views his loving People!
The fiery Steed, pleas’d with the Royal Burthen,
In warlike Posture seems to move, and live._
_Suidas_ proceeds farther, and tells us, that the Statues of _Sophia_,
the Consort of _Justin_ the _Thracian_, of his Daughter _Arabia_, and
his Niece _Helena_; as also the _Equestrian_ Statues of _Arcadius_ and
_Theodosius_ his Son, were placed in the _Miliarium_, near the Statue
of _Theodosius_ the _Great_. _Cedrinus_ writes, that there stood two
Statues above the Nich of the _Miliarium_, one of _Constantine_ the
_Great_, the other of his Mother _Helena_, with a Cross between them:
Behind them was placed the Statue of _Trajan_ on Horse-back, and that
near him was placed the Statue of _Ælius Hadrianus_. _Suidas_ adds,
that the Cross which was placed between _Constantine_ and _Helena_, had
this Inscription; _una sancta, & duo celeres Cursores_. From whence it
is evident, that the _Forum_, the _Miliarium_, and the _Basilica_ stood
so near together, that they are not only placed by different Authors
in different Places, but sometimes by one and the same Historian.
The same Writer says, that there was also in the _Miliarium_ a great
Piece of Antiquity, which was a Chariot drawn by four Fallow Horses,
supported by two square Pillars, in the Place where _Constantine_
was received by his Army with joyful Congratulations, after he had
conquered _Azotium_; but originally, because _Byzas_, the Founder of
_Byzantium_, had there been highly applauded by the People. The Chariot
of the Sun was carried into the _Hippodrom_, in which was seated a
small Statue, made by the Order of _Constantine_. This Statue was the
_Fortune_ of the City, which on great Festivals, and the Day of the
Celebration of the Foundation of the City, was set up with a Cross on
her Head, in the _Senate-House_. _Julian_ the Apostate demolished it
in the same Place, where _Arius_ died in a miserable Manner, which
was at a small Distance from the _Senate-House_. In the same Place,
the pious Emperor _Theodosius_ had ordered the Statues of _Arius_,
_Macedonius_, _Sabellius_, and _Eunomius_, which were cut in Marble,
to be placed in a sitting Posture on the Ground, to be polluted with
the Excrements, and receive the Curses of the People, in Token of
their flagrant Perfidiousness. Other Historians say, that the Statue
of the _Fortune_ of the City was brought from _Rome_ by _Constantine_
the _Great_, and placed in a Nich in the Palace. _Zosimus_ writes, that
_Constantine_ placed the _Fortune_ of _Rome_, on the Side of one of the
four _Portico’s_ that surrounded the great _Forum_. ’Tis very probable,
that the People of _Constantinople_ celebrated a Festival in Honour of
her, as was customary at _Old Rome_, both by Natives and Foreigners,
the same Day, in which the _Palilia_, (the Festivals of _Pales_) were
celebrated. _Socrates_ tells us, that _Julian_, when he was publickly
sacrificing to the _Fortune_ of _Constantinople_, in the _Basilica_,
where her Statue was set up; _Mares_, the Bishop of _Chalcedon_, being
led thither by the Hand, for he was blind with Age, sharply reprimanded
him, and called him an Apostate from the Christian Religion. _Julian_
in Return, called him a blind old Fellow, adding sarcastically this
Question; _Is your God, the Galilean, able to cure you?_ For thus, by
Way of Contempt, he used to call our Saviour. Upon which the good old
Bishop replied, _I thank my God, who has taken my Sight from me, so
that I cannot behold the Man who is fallen into so great an Apostacy_;
upon which _Julian_ was silent. _Zonaras_, and some Historians who
lived before him, have recorded, That in the Time of _Anastasius_, the
Statue of _Fortune_, made in Brass, stood with one Foot in a brazen
Ship, and was placed in some Part of the City; but that when this Ship
began to decay with Age, or some Parts of it were stolen, or shattered
by Treachery, it happened, that no Ships of Burthen came into the
Port of _Constantinople_, but that upon their Arrival near the City,
a Storm prevented their coming into Harbour; and if their Cargo was
taken aboard the Long-boats, and brought into the City, they tell you
it was soon consumed, by Reason of the Scarcity, which then prevailed.
Upon this, the _Curatores_ of the City were obliged to enquire into
the Reason of it. When the Magistrates of the City, upon Information,
began to suspect the Cause, they found, upon Enquiry, the Fragments
of the Ship, which were fitted to their proper Places, when on a
sudden, Navigation was open and free, and the Sea was constantly full
of Vessels sailing into the Port. And that they might fully discover
the real Cause of this Calamity, they repeated the Experiment, by
stripping the Ship again of some Pieces of it, and the Ships coming
into Harbour, were prevented as before; so they repaired the brazen
Vessel she stood in, and took a particular Care of it. _Eunapius_, who
wrote the _History of the Lives of the Philosophers and wise Men_,
says, that in the Reign of _Constantine_, the Inhabitants attributed
this Difficulty of coming into Harbour to another Cause. _There was no
entring the Port at_ Constantinople, says he, _unless the Wind stood
full South. When this had frequently happened, the People, oppressed
with Famine, assembled in the Theatre, enraged at_ Constantine. _The
Chief of the Courtiers having conceived a Resentment against_ Sopatrus
_the Philosopher, brought him before the Emperor, and impeached him
in the following Manner: This_ Sopatrus, _Sir, who is so high in your
Favour, has by his excessive Wisdom chained up the Winds, for which
you so far admire him, as to admit him too near your Imperial Person_.
_Constantine_, believing the Allegations, ordered him to be beheaded.
CHAP. XXIV.
_Of the Temple of_ Neptune, _of the Church of St._ Mina, (_or_ Menna)
_of the_ Stadia, _and the Stairs of_ Timasius.
I cannot omit taking Notice of the Church of St. _Mina_, because it
shews in what Part of the City the fourth _Ward_ stood, which contained
the _Basilica_, the _Augusteum_, and the Church of St. _Mina_. The
History of an unknown Author reports, that _Byzas_ formerly built a
Temple to _Neptune_, near the _Acropolis_, by the Sea, where, he says,
that in his Time stood the Church of St. _Mina_ the Martyr; though he
seems to contradict himself, where he says, that the Church of St.
_Mina_ was formerly the Temple of _Jupiter_, and that the Roof of it,
which was arched with Marble, was supported with two large Pillars.
So that I can conclude nothing from the Uncertainty of this Writer,
but that it seems more probable to me, that the Church of St. _Mina_
stood in those Parts of the _Acropolis_, in which formerly stood the
Temple of _Neptune_, as appears from _Dionysius_ an antient Writer of
_Byzantium_, who says, that a little above the _Promontory_ of the
_Bosporus_, was erected an Altar to _Minerva Egressoria_, and the
Temple of _Neptune_; and that below the Temple of _Neptune_ were the
_Stadia_, and the _Gymnasia_, where they diverted themselves with
martial Sports and Exercises, as I have shewn more at large in my
Treatise of the _Bosporus_. I am confirmed in this Opinion from the
Information of some of the Inhabitants now living, who told me, that
within the Imperial Precinct, formerly called the _Acropolis_, stood
the Church of St. _Mina_. The _Antient Description of the Wards of the
City_ tells us, that the Church of St. _Mina_ stood in the same Ward
with the _Stadia_, and the Stairs of _Timasius_. _Procopius_ writes,
_That at the Place called the_ Stadium, _near the Sea, where they
exercised themselves in martial Sports, the Emperor_ Justinian, _and
his Empress_ Theodora, _built some large Inns for the Entertainment of
Strangers_.
CHAP. XXV.
_Of the_ Lausus, _and its Statues; namely, a_ Venus _of_ Cnidos,
_a_ Juno _of_ Samos, _a_ Minerva _of_ Lindia, _a winged_ Cupid, _a_
Jupiter Olympius, _a_ Saturn, _Unicorns, Tygers, Vultures, Beasts
that are half Camels, and half Panthers; of the_ Cistern _of the
Hospital called_ Philoxenos, _and the_ Chrysotriclinium.
The _Lausus_ is a Place celebrated in the Writings of many Historians,
some of whom write, that it was the House of _Lausus_ a Patrician, who
bore many Offices in the Reign of _Arcadius_, the Son of _Theodosius_
the _Great_, and that he adorned his House with many famous Monuments
of Antiquity. There is a Book still extant, under the Title of
_Lausaicus_, which was wrote by _Heraclidas_, Bishop of _Cappadocia_,
and inscribed to _Lausus_. In what Part of the City this Place was,
no Authors mention; but ’tis very probable that it was between the
Palace, and the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, from the Authorities both of
_Zonaras_, and _Cedrinus_; who having described the Ruines of the Fire,
which happened in the Reign of _Leo_, both on the North, and South Side
of the City tell us, that in the Middle of the City, it burnt from
the _Lausus_, to the Street called _Taurus_. And _Evagrius_, speaking
of the same Fire, says, that it destroyed all the Buildings from the
_Forum_ of _Constantine_ to the _Taurus_. The Reader may observe from
hence, that the _Lausus_ was not far from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_.
_Cedrinus_ also in his Description of that Fire which happened in the
Reign of _Basiliscus_, makes it plain, that it stood Eastward, between
the Palace, and the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. This Fire, says he,
consumed the _Chalcopratia_, the most beautiful Part of the City, the
_Basilica_, with its eminent Library, and all the surprizing Ornaments
of the _Lausus_, to the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. There was in the
_Lausus_, continues our Historian, an infinite Number of Statues, the
most remarkable of which was, the Statue of _Minerva_ of _Lindia_,
which was four Cubits long, and made of an _Emerald_ Stone. ’Twas cut
by _Scyllis_ and _Dipœnus_, two eminent Statuaries, and presented by
_Sesostris_ King of _Egypt_, to _Cleobulus_ King of _Lindia_, a Prince
of incomparable Wisdom. From hence it is probable the Place is called
_Laousos_; for _Minerva_ sometimes goes under the Name of _Laossos_.
_Theophrastus_ writes, that the _Egyptian_ Commentators mention, that
the King of _Babylon_ made a Present to their King of an _Emerald_,
which was four Cubits long, and three in Breadth. If _Sesostris_,
_Scyllis_, and _Dipœnus_ were living at the same Time, _Pliny_ should
rather have called it the _Emerald_ of _Minerva_. But these were no
less antient, than eminent Statuaries, born in the Island of _Crete_,
when under the Government of the _Medes_, before _Cyrus_ was King of
_Persia_, that is, about the fifteenth _Olympiad_. They carved the
Statues of _Apollo_, _Diana_, _Hercules_, as also of _Minerva_, which
was blasted with Lightning. _Pliny_ takes Notice, that _Ambracia_,
_Argos_, and _Cleone_ were full of Statues made by _Dipœnus_, tho’
he says nothing of the Statue of _Minerva_ of _Lindia_. _Cedrinus_
adds, that there was placed in the _Lausus_, the Statue of _Venus_ of
_Cnidos_, which was looked upon every where as a celebrated Piece of
Sculpture. It was finished by _Praxiteles_, is made of white Marble,
and appears in a naked Posture. There is also a _Juno_ of _Samos_, the
Workmanship of _Lysippus_ and _Bupalus_, and a winged _Cupid_, with
his Quiver. This Statue was brought from _Myndus_. There was also a
_Jupiter_ riding upon an Elephant, which was carved by _Phidias_, and
placed in his Temple by _Pericles_. There was also another Statue made
by _Lysippus_, which was bald behind, tho’ not before, which was taken
for the Statue of _Saturn_. There were also erected here many Statues
of Unicorns, Tygers, Beasts that were half Camels, and half Panthers;
others that were half Bulls, and half Harts, besides several Statues
of Vultures. The unknown Author of the History of _Constantinople_
says, That in his Time there were standing in the _Lausus_ some Eagles
that were cut in Stone. I am induced to think, that there were some
Figures of Birds standing there at that Time, but believe them to be
the Vultures mentioned by _Cedrinus_. This Author tells us, that there
stood in the _Lausus_ several fine Buildings, some Hospitals, a Place
for the Entertainment of Strangers, which had very good Spring-water,
and was call’d _Philoxenon_. Some Writers affirm, that the
_Philoxenon_ was a _Cistern_, built by one of that Name. I look upon it
to be the same _Cistern_, which was situate between the _Triclinium_
and the _Lausiacum_, and was filled up by the Order of _Heraclius_.
_Menander_, surnamed the Protector, tells us, That _Philip_ of
_Macedon_ cleansed most of the _Cisterns_ of the City, which
_Heraclius_ commanded to be replenished with Earth. If that Prince
gave Orders for the cleansing of that _Cistern_, among others, ’tis
the same which lies under Ground, on the North Side of _Abraham_ the
_Basha_’s House, between the _Lausiacum_, and the _Triclinium_; whose
Roof is supported with four Hundred and twenty four marble Pillars,
two hundred and twelve supporting the same Number of Pillars above
them. I measured one of them, for they all seem to be of a Bigness,
and I found it to be six Foot and nine Inches in Circumference. There
is another _Cistern_ on the West Side of the same House, whose Arches
are supported with thirty two _Corinthian_ Pillars, standing in four
Ranges, each Range consisting of eight Pillars, whose _Shafts_ are
nine Foot in Compass. As to the _Triclinium_, between which and the
_Lausus_ was built the _Philoxenon_; I suppose it to be the same which
_Justinian_ the _Third_ built near the Palace, and called it after his
own Name, the _Triclinium_ of _Justinian_. ’Tis reported by _Cedrinus_,
that this _Triclinium_ was finely beautified by the Emperor _Tiberius_.
The Western Gate of this _Triclinium_ is taken Notice of by _Leo_ the
_Fifth_, when he foretold that the Head of the Man which should be cut
off in the _Hippodrom_ for his Tyranny, should be brought before him
through the Western Gate of the _Triclinium_. Frequent Mention is made
of this _Chrysotriclinium_ by Historians, who wrote just before the
taking of _Constantinople_ by the _Turks_, and all the Inhabitants both
knew the Name, and the Place where it stood. But the People are since
fallen into such an Aversion to Learning, and a Disrelish of what is
ingenious and Polite, that they rather chuse to embrace a voluntary
Ignorance, and treat every Thing that is curious with Indignity and
Contempt.
_The End of the Second Book._
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THE ANTIQUITIES OF CONSTANTINOPLE.