BOOK III.

CHAP. I.

_Of several Places in the fifth Ward, and the second Hill; of the_

Neorium; _of the Port nam’d the_ Bosporium; _of the_ Strategium, _and

the_ Forum _of_ Theodosius.

It was impossible for me to discover from the _Ancient Description

of the Wards_, that the fifth _Ward_ stood on the North Side of the

second Hill, and in a Plain at the Bottom of it, and that it descended

jointly with the fourth Ward from the Ridge of the _Promontory_ to

the Bay call’d _Ceras_, although the Author takes Notice that a great

part of it fell down in winding Descents into the Bosom of a Plain.

For this Description of it is no less agreeable to other Wards. Nor

could I find out its Situation from any Buildings remaining in it, or

from the Information of the most ancient Inhabitants. All the Light

I could get was from the Situation of the _Phosphorian_ or, as some

call it, the _Bosphorian_ Port, and the _Stairs_ of _Chalcedon_, which

do not take that Name, because they are built in the Eastern Part of

the City facing _Chalcedon_, for they stand full North; and so it is

call’d the _Bosphorian_ Port, not from the Sea of _Bosporus_, but

from a depraved Custom of the People, who pronounce it so; whereas,

according to the Authorities of _Stephanus_ and _Eustathius_, they

ought to call it the _Phosphorian_ Port. For these Writers assert, that

it took its Name from hence; _viz._ that when _Philip_ of _Macedon_

besieged _Byzantium_, and his Soldiers were digging a Passage under

Ground into the Town, the Moon, which is call’d _Phosphora_, shone

out in its full Brightness, and discover’d the Stratagem; so that the

_Byzantians_, the Siege being raised, call’d it the _Phosphorium_. But

as they give some Reason why it may be thought the same Haven, though

under different Names, yet are they silent as to its Situation, whether

it stood on the Eastern, Northern, or Southern Side of the City; though

it is reasonable to believe, if we consider the Situation of the Stairs

of _Chalcedon_, which the _Ancient Description of the Wards_ places

in the same _Ward_ with the _Bosphorian_ Haven, that it stood on the

South Side of the City, and not on the East Side, although it directly

faces _Chalcedon_. For the Force and Rapidity of the _Bosporus_ makes

it very difficult to sail from _Chalcedon_ to the Eastern and Southern

Parts of _Constantinople_; but ’tis an easy Passage to those who sail

between that and _Chalcedon_, to go in or out of Port on the North Side

of the City. It is observable farther, that the _Ancient Description of

the Wards_ mentions no _Stairs_ which lie over-against _Chalcedon_; or

if the Author had taken Notice of any, he had placed them in the first

or second _Wards_, opposite to _Chalcedon_, or in the third _Ward_,

which stands Southward, where the _Neorium_ or the new Dock stood, as I

observ’d before. But it would be of little Significancy to enlarge on

this Matter, since I shall be very particular in naming and producing

such Authorities, as will make it evident, that the _Bosphorian_

Port, and the _Stairs_ of _Chalcedon_ were not only situate on the

North Side of the City, but shall mention the very Place where they

stood. The first Historian I shall quote is _Dionysius_, a Native

of the City, who places, just without the Walls of Old _Byzantium_,

the Temple of _Tellus_ upon the Bay of the _Bosporus_, and a little

below it the Temple of _Ceres_ and _Proserpina_, whom he does not call

_Proserpina_, but only κόρη the _Virgin_; yet by the Situation of

the Place we may easily understand that Virgin to be _Hecate_, whose

_Tripos_ _Cedrinus_ mentions to have been in the _Strategium_, where,

or at least not far from it, as appears from the same Author, stood

the Temple of _Proserpina_: But _Evagrius_ is more clear upon this

Occasion, who tells us, that in the Reign of _Leo_ there happen’d

a great Fire on the North Side of the City, where the Dock stood,

which consumed all before it, from the _Bosphorian_ Haven, to the old

Temple of _Apollo_; on the South Side, from the Port of _Julian_ to

the Temple of _Concord_, in the Middle of the City, from the _Forum_

of _Constantine_, to the _Taurus_; and _Zonaras_ adds, that the same

Fire destroy’d all the Buildings between the North and the South Sea.

_Cedrinus_ reports, that the same Fire began at the Dock, and burnt

down all before it, as far as the Church of St. _John_; from whence

I observe, that the _Bosphorian_ Port and the Dock were near to one

another, although the Author of the _Description of the Wards_, places

the former in the fifth, and the latter in the sixth _Ward_. For since

both these _Wards_ join’d together, and descended from the Ridge of

the _Promontory_ down to the Sea, it is not possible that they should

stand at any great Distance from one another. _Zosimus_, an ancient

Historian, points out the very Place where the Dock was built in his

_Description_ of Old _Byzantium_. He tells us, that ’twas situate upon

a Hill, which made part of the _Isthmus_, which was enclosed by the

_Propontis_, and the Bay call’d _Ceras_; and adds, that the Wall of

_Byzantium_ stretch’d it self over a Hill, from the Western Side of

the City to the Temple of _Venus_, and the Sea facing _Chrysopolis_;

and that it descended on the North Side of the City to the _Neorion_,

or _New Haven_, which I take to stand near the Gate which the _Greeks_

call Ὡραῖα, and since by a Corruption of Language _Porta Neoria_, or at

least not far from it. There is at present between the Seas and the

_Porta Neoria_, a broad Space of Land, a Market of Merchandize and

Sea Goods, which the _Turks_ call _Siphont_, or _Tsiphont_, because

the _Jews_ inhabit it. It adjoins to the _Stairs_ or _Landing-place_

of _Chalcedon_, from whence they daily sail to _Scutarieum_, or

_Scutaricum_, anciently call’d _Chrysopolis_, a Mart-Town, and a Port

of _Chalcedon_. Near the _Stairs_ of _Chalcedon_ is the _Ferry_, whence

you cross the Water to _Galata_. It was formerly called the _Sycæne

Ferry_, and is placed in the _Description of the Wards_, near the

_Bosphorian Haven_, or _Dock_. But the Situation of these Places seems

to be somewhat chang’d, by reason of some Granaries built there, (which

are removed farther into the City) or for the greater Enlargement of

the Precinct of the _Seraglio_, or because they are fallen to Decay,

and filled up with Earth. For at that Time, when _Philip_ of _Macedon_

undermin’d the Town, ’tis very probable that there was no Port built

in that Place, which by the _Byzantians_ was afterwards call’d the

_Phosphorion_. There was no building a Haven there, because of the

Rising of the Springs, but the _Bosphorian_ Haven was built afterwards

in another Place. And this is no more than what is said of the Dock,

or the _Neorium_, which they tell you was enclosed by _Constans_, and

was made a Market of Merchandize, and other naval Affairs. This Market

was afterwards kept near the Port of _Julian_. Some Historians write,

that _Leontius_ the Emperor, who reign’d after _Justin_, order’d the

Dock to be cleansed. Others write, that there was erected, at the

_Neorium_, the Figure of a large Ox in Brass, which much resembled

the _Brazen Bull_. This Figure was set up in the eleventh _Ward_,

which, as some modern Writers would persuade you, bellow’d once a Year,

which portended great Mischief and Detriment to the City. But this I

look upon to be a Fable taken out of _Callimachus_ and _Pindar_, who

tell you, that upon the Mountain of _Artabyris_ in _Rhodes_, there

are brazen Bulls that used to bellow upon any Calamity impending the

City. There is nothing remaining of this Haven, where the Dock was

at present. I gather from the Situation of the _Bosphorian_ Port,

and the Stairs of _Chalcedon_, that the fifth _Ward_ stood on the

Side of the second Hill, and in a Plain below it; where were also

the _Bagnio’s_ of _Honorius_, the _Prytaneum_, the _Bagnio’s_ of

_Eudoxia_, the Granaries of _Valentinian_ and _Constantius_, the

_Thebean_ Obelisk, the _Bosphorian_ Port, the Stairs of _Chalcedon_,

the Cistern of _Theodosius_, and the _Strategium_, in which was the

_Forum_ of _Theodosius_. _Justinian_ in his _Constitutions_ takes

Notice of the _Bagnio_ of _Achilles_ in a Letter, thus: _Our Imperial

Will and Pleasure is, that the leaden Pipes, conducting the Water to

the_ Achillean _Bagnio’s, contrived by your Wisdom, and purchased by

your Munificence, be under the same Regulation and Management, as has

been appointed by_ Theodosius _and_ Valentinian _in the like Case; and

that the said Pipes shall only supply such_ Bagnio’s _and_ Nymphæa, _as

your Excellency shall think fit, allowing at the same time full Power,

Licence and Authority to the Apparitors of your Excellency, to enter

without Fear or Molestation, such Houses and_ Bagnio’s _in the Suburbs,

as they shall judge convenient, to enquire into all Evasions of this

Order, and to prevent the Stoppage of the Water to the Detriment

of the publick_. The Law by which _Constantine_ the _Great_ enacts,

that _Constantinople_ shall be call’d _New Rome_, is inscrib’d upon a

publick Pillar, near his own _Equestrian_ Statue in the _Strategium_.

I find in the _Ancient Description of the Wards_, that there were

three _Fora’s_ in the City, which took their Name from _Theodosius_.

One was in the fifth _Ward_, and stood, as I just observ’d, in the

_Strategium_; another stood in the sixth Ward, and a third in the

twelfth. The two last of them were Markets for Provision, the first

was the _Forum Prætorianum_, a Court of publick Justice, where the

_Prætors_ presided, and this I gather from the _Treatise_ just

mention’d, and which was call’d, both by the _Latins_ and _Greeks_,

_Prætorium_. I am not certain, though it seems very probable to me,

that this great _Prætorium_ was beautifully finish’d at the Expence

and Care of the Emperor _Justin_ and _Domninus_, as will appear from

the following Verses of _Paulus Silentiarius_. I shall subjoin them in

order to prove, that the Word _Prætorium_ was used by the _Greeks_, as

were also very many other _Latin_ Words.

Some Verses of _Paulus Silentiarius_, upon beautifying the great

_Prætorium_.

_When great_ Justinus _had reform’d the World,

This noble Structure consecrate to_ Themis

_He then repair’d with fresh Increase of Beauty;

And yet some share of Praise to thee is due_,

Domninus, _skilful Architect, whose Head

Long labour’d nightly in the great Design_.

CHAP. II.

_Of the sixth Ward, and the remaining ancient Buildings of the second

Hill._

It had been very difficult to have discover’d, either from the

Situation of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, or the Pillar of

_Constantine_ still standing at _Constantinople_, or the _Description

of the Wards_ (although it takes Notice of the Pillar of _Constantine_,

and tells us, that the sixth Ward enters upon a short Plain, and

that ’tis afterwards lengthen’d by a long Descent) whether the sixth

_Ward_ had been on the North or the South Side of the City, unless the

Author had added, that it reach’d from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_

down to Stairs from whence you sail over the _Sycæne_ Ferry. It was

originally call’d the _Sycæne_ Ferry from _Syca_, but is now call’d

_Galata_, or _Pera_, as will appear more fully, when I come to speak

of it in the thirteenth _Ward_. That the fifth and sixth _Wards_

join’d together, I observ’d before from the Vicinity of the Dock, the

Stairs of _Chalcedon_, the _Sycæne_ Stairs, and the _Bosphorian_ Port

to each other. Having therefore discover’d the Situation of _Syca_,

I take it for granted, that the Dock stood near a Plain on the Sea

Shore, which was below the Foot of the second Hill, and that the Ferry

Place from whence you passed over to _Syca_, is the same with that

from whence you sail at present to _Galata_, and that the _Porphyry_

Pillar now standing, is the same with that mention’d by the Author of

the _Description_, &c. and placed by him in the sixth _Ward_; though

he takes no Notice in his Description of the sixth _Ward_, where he

places the Senate-House, how near it stood to the _Forum_ or Pillar

of _Constantine_. But I shall make it plain to the Reader from other

Historians, in what follows, that the Senate-House stood on the North

Side of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, and that this _Ward_ stood

partly on the Ridge of the second Hill, where the _Porphyry_ Pillar

is now standing, as is also the Poultry Market, which the _Turks_

call _Taubasor_, or _Taouck Baser_, the Dyers Shops, the House of

_Ænobarbus_, a _Turkish_ Admiral, and the Mosque of _Hali-Bassa_. Part

of it spreads itself also over the right Side of the second Valley, and

part of it covers a Plain near the Sea, below the Valley, and the Foot

of the second Hill, which is much inhabited by the _Jews_.

CHAP. III.

_Of the_ Porphyry _Pillar, the_ Forum _of_ Constantine, _and the_

Palladium.

Those Historians who have treated of the Actions of _Constantine the

Great_, report, that he brought the round _Porphyry_ Pillar from

_Rome_. This Pillar was bound, at the Joints, with circular Wreaths

of Laurel made of Brass, and was placed in the _Forum_, call’d the

_Placoton_, because it was paved with smooth broad Stones, which

the _Greeks_ call _Placæ_. They add farther, that there was erected

upon this Pillar a curious Statue of Brass, surprizing both for its

Workmanship and Size. ’Twas an ancient Piece of Statuary, exquisitely

finish’d, even to the Life. They tell you that ’twas originally the

Image of _Apollo_ of _Troy_, that the Emperor gave it his own Name,

and commanded to be fix’d in the Head of it, some of those Nails

which fasten’d our Saviour to the Cross. Upon the Statue was cut the

following Inscription:

_To thee, O Saviour, Lord of th’ Universe,

Who rulest the unmeasurable Globe

With deepest Knowledge, I this People offer.

May they be thine, I conquer’d them for thee.

I lay m’ Imperial Sceptre at thy Feet,

With all th’ united Force, and Power of_ Rome.

_Let thy good Providence, with watchful Eye,

Look down, and guard the City from all Ills._

_Cedrinus_ relates, that at the Bottom of the Pillar were carved the

twelve Baskets, full of the Fragments which were left, after the

Miracle of the _Loaves_ and _Fishes_. This Pillar has no Winding

Stairs, but is all solid Marble, and therefore _Fulvius_, otherwise a

good _Antiquary_, is visibly in an Error, when he tells us, that it had

an ascent within it. _Zonaras_ says, that the Statue of _Constantine_

was standing upon the Pillar in his Time, and that in the Spring

Time, in the Reign of _Alexius Comnenus_, among many other Buildings

which were thrown down by a violent Storm of Wind, the Statue of

_Constantine_ the _Great_ was blown down and demolished, and that by

the Fall of it, several People who were passing by, were dashed to

Pieces. The Author who has wrote the History of _Alexius Comnenus_,

tells us, that not only the Statue was struck down with Lightning, but

also that three of the _Tores_, or round Circles of the Pillar, were

also removed. The Pillar is still standing on the Top of the second

Hill; ’tis somewhat impair’d, not so much by Time, altho’ it is very

ancient, as by Fires and Earthquakes, and Tempests. The Statue and the

three upper Wreaths are gone, and in the Room of them there’s a plain

round Superstructure, almost of the same Thickness and Size with the

other Part of the Shaft. The Pedestal of it is made of squar’d Marble,

and is, every Way, eleven Foot nine Inches broad, and eighteen Foot

high. Upon this is placed a Cornice, but after the _Doric_ Manner,

consisting of a _Plinth_, an upper and a lower _Tore_, and a _Scotia_

between them. Upon the _Cornice_ stands the _Shaft_ of the Pillar,

which is about eleven Yards in Circumference. It consists of eight

large Pieces of Marble; each of which is encircled at the Joints, with

a Wreath of Laurel-Work, which covers the Cement of the _Fissures_. And

if it had not been injured by Time, it would look like one entire Stone

of Marble, and has therefore been thought so by some _Historians_, who

have handed it down to Posterity, that it consisted only of one Piece

of Marble, and ridicule the Ignorance and Injudiciousness of those,

who, they tell you, have been imposed upon by the Wreaths of Brass,

which were only added for the sake of Ornament. There’s nothing of

these brazen Wreaths or _Tores_ to be seen at present, the Pillar, to

prevent its falling to pieces, being bound round with Iron Hoops. At

the Top of the Pillar is carv’d the Name of the Emperor, who after

the Statue was thrown down, lay’d the uppermost Stone of it. This

Pillar bore some Resemblance to those mention’d by _Athenæus_, who

writes, that there were some tall round Pillars erected in _Ægypt_,

made after the same Manner. They were cover’d at the _Fissures_ with

circular Wreaths, alternately white and black, one below another.

Their _Capitals_ were also round, about which was a fine Sculpture of

Roses just opening. There were no _Flutings_ in these Pillars, nor any

coarse _Foliage_ (according to the _Grecian_ Model) which enfolded it;

but it was adorn’d with _Dates_, and the Fruit of young _Lote Trees_,

and a Sculpture of all kind of Flowers. Below these, is an Expression

of _Ægyptian_ Beans, intermix’d with Flowers, and a _Foliage_ which

projects beyond the _Fissure_ of the _Capital_. Thus it is that the

_Ægyptians_ make and adorn their Pillars; and in building their Walls,

it is their constant Practice to lay alternately a Row of white over

a Row of black Bricks. I have seen the same Method in building their

Walls among the _Persians_ and _Syrians_; the finest of which they

built with Bricks, or Stones naturally variegated, the meaner sort they

colour’d several ways with Paintings, and other Inventions of Art. The

Wreaths or _Tores_ beforemention’d, which were fix’d to the Pillar of

_Constantine_, were carv’d, as some Writers tell us, to presignify

the many Years _Constantine_ should live, and the many Victories he

should obtain over his Enemies. I believe the Design of the Sculptor

was only to express, that the Laurel was sacred to _Apollo_, and that

this ancient Pillar supported the Image of him made in a stupendous

Size. However that may be, it is certain that _Constantine_ order’d

it to be call’d his own Statue, whether on the account of his many

Victories, or whether he was better pleased with the _Heathen_ Notion

of that God than any other, so that when he demolish’d other _Heathen_

Idols, he commanded the Statue of a _Delphick Apollo_, and his _Tripos_

to be set up in the _Hippodrom_, as is observ’d by a _German_ Orator,

who address’d himself in a _Panegyrick_ to _Constantine_, after the

following Manner: _When your Imperial Majesty turn’d down to the Temple

of_ Apollo, _the most stately, the most beautiful Building in the

World, you saw your favourite God offering to you his Crowns, a happy

Presage of Length of Days, and a Life extended beyond that of_ Nestor.

_You saw him, you gazed on his Features, and beheld your own Likeness

in him; who, as the ancient Poets have sung, deserv’d the Empire of

the World. That auspicious Period of Time seems to be now come, since

you, like that God, are gay and youthful; like him salutary; like him a

personable and a beautiful Prince._

If the _Turk_, whom I employ’d to climb the Pedestal, had follow’d my

Directions, (while I was obliged to appear a mere accidental Spectator)

and held his Pearch true, I had discover’d the lowest Stone of the

_Shaft_, from a Notch he had cut in it, to have been nine Foot and four

Digits high; and the _Tore_, which projected six Digits beyond it, to

have been a Foot and a half broad, I mean the _Tore_ at the Foot of the

_Shaft_, so that every Stone was ten Foot nine Inches high. The Height

therefore of all the eight Stones was about eighty six Foot and nine

Inches. The whole Pillar was lengthen’d besides with an _Abacus_ placed

on the uppermost Stone, and below with a _Pedestal_ and its _Cornice_,

and four Marble Steps at the Bottom. The lowermost of these Steps is

a Foot and six Digits high; the second of the same Height; the third

and fourth, each of them a Foot and a half. There is no Discovery can

be made, from what has been said, where this prodigious Column, or

rather where this _Colossus_ stood. For since neither _Procopius_, nor

any other Historian of those Times, takes any Notice of the _Forum_

call’d Πλακότον, where _Zonaras_, and other modern Writers say it was

erected, I was in some Suspence, whether or no this was not the same

with the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. For it seem’d very probable to me,

that _Constantine_ had herein follow’d the Example of _Trajan_, in

setting up his Statue in the _Forum_, which went by his own Name. But

I was soon clear’d of this Difficulty, by the Authority of _Socrates_,

(the Author _of the Dissensions among Christians_,) who writes, that

they are one and the same Place; and that _Arius_, when he came near

where the _Forum_ of _Constantine_ stood, expired with the falling of

the Guts. But this is no less evident, if it be consider’d where the

_Palladium_ of _Minerva_ stood; which, as _Zonaras_ says, was convey’d

by the Command of _Constantine_ from _Troy_ to the _Placotum_, and as

_Procopius_ adds, into the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. _The_ Hirpines,

says he, _report, that_ Diomedes _met_ Æneas _coming out of_ Troy,

_and that in Conformity to the Answer of the Oracle, he gave him the

Image of_ Minerva, _which he, with the Assistance of_ Ulysses, _had

formerly brought from_ Troy, _when they went thither to consult the

Oracle, how_ Troy _might be taken. They add farther, that_ Diomedes

_being indisposed, and consulting the Oracle concerning his Recovery,

it was foretold by it, that he would never be well, till he had given

that Image to_ Æneas. The _Romans_ pretend that they know nothing of

this Image at present, yet they shew you an Image cut in Stone, which

to this Day stands in the Eastern Part of the Temple of _Fortune_,

before the Statue of _Minerva_. The Statue is carv’d in a War-like

Posture, brandishing, as in Battle, a Spear, dress’d in a long Garment,

not representing the Statue of _Minerva_, as she is figured by the

_Greeks_, but as described by the _Ægyptians_. The Inhabitants tell

you, that _Constantine_ order’d this Statue, which was placed in

the _Forum_, call’d by his own Name, to be bury’d under Ground. The

Authorities that the _Placoton_ and the _Forum_ of _Constantine_ are

the same Place ought to be regarded, because it is impossible to come

to the Knowledge of four of the _Wards_ without them; for the third

_Ward_ contains the Tribunal of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_; the

sixth reaches from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, to the Stairs against

_Sycæ_, where is erected the Pillar of _Constantine_. The seventh

extends itself with continual _Portico’s_ from the Right Hand Side of

the Pillar of _Constantine_ to the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_, and the

eighth contains part of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. When I was ask’d

by some Gentlemen who were curious that way, how _Constantine_ came by

that _Palladium_, I answer’d, that I was at an Uncertainty as to that.

For _Zonaras_’s Opinion of its being brought from _Troy_ did not look

very probable, since _Troy_ was destroy’d so many Ages before it; and

_Strabo_ is hard put to it to trace out the Place of its Situation. The

Story of its being brought from ancient _Rome_ seems very improbable,

since it was often destroy’d by Fire, and the Inhabitants were entirely

ignorant where it originally stood. Yet the _Latin_ Historians tell

us, that _Diomedes_ presented it to _Æneas_, that it was kept for some

time at _Lavinium_, and that it was afterwards removed to _Rome_, and

set up in the Temple of _Vesta_. The _Greek_ Historians are of another

Opinion. Among these, _Pausanias_, who wrote in the Time of _Adrian_,

tells us, that it was held the most sacred of any Thing in _Athens_,

that it fell down from Heaven, that it was consecrated by the Advice

of all the Senators, and placed in the Citadel of _Athens_. There has

been some Dispute, whether it was made of Wood or Brass, and whether it

was a Figure or a Shield. Some say, that it was a sacred Shield, such

as they had at _Rome_. _Dion_ and _Diodorus_ think otherwise, and tell

us, that it was an Image made of Wood, three Cubits high, that it fell

from Heaven into _Pessinus_, a City of _Phrygia_, holding in her right

Hand a Spear, in her left a Spindle and a Distaff. To me it seems to

have been the Image of _Pallas_, whose Statue, whenever it was placed,

was call’d the _Palladium_. _Procopius_ asserts, that the Statue which

the _Romans_ shew in the Temple of _Minerva_, is not cut after the

_Grecian_ Manner. For they carve her, as was mention’d before, in a

fighting Posture, with a Spear in her Hand, denoting by the Spear,

her Courage; by her Shield, her Wisdom, which repels all Attacks: She

is cover’d with a Helmet, to intimate, that the Height of Wisdom is

not to be seen and discover’d: She bears an Olive-Tree as affording

Matter of Light; and upon her Breast is cut a _Medusa_, to illustrate

the Quickness of Thought, and the surprizing Agility of the Mind. She

had also a Breast-Plate, on which was the Figure of a Night-Owl and

a _Gorgon_. The Night-Owl was an Emblem of the Depth of Prudence and

Conduct; for Wisdom dives into the Secrets and Darknesses of Nature. I

wish the divine _Palladium_ may guard all those, who shall in future

Times attempt the same Travels as I have done, and pray that they may

be defended, as I have been, by that good Providence, and that heavenly

Wisdom, the Wisdom of the _Father_, which amidst all the Treacheries

and Insults of a barbarous People, and the almost incredible Dangers of

a long Voyage, did not only support and strengthen, but did animate,

enliven, and refresh me.

CHAP. IV.

_Of the Senate-House; the_ Nympheum; _the Statues of the_ Forum _of_

Constantine; _of the_ Philadelphium; _the_ Musæum; _the_ Labarum

_and_ Syparum; _of the Death of_ Arius; _of the Temples of_ Tellus,

Ceres, Persephone; _of_ Juno _and_ Pluto.

The _Porphyry_ Pillar, and the Senate-House, is placed by the Author

of the _Ancient Description of the Wards_, in the sixth _Ward_, and

the _Nympheum_ in the fifth; but he does not tell us, how near they

stood to one another. That they stood at a very little Distance, is

evident both from _Zonaras_ and _Cedrinus_, who write, that the Fire

which happen’d in the Reign of _Leo_, burnt down the Senate-House on

the North Side of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, which was adorn’d

with Statues of Brass and _Porphyry_ Marble, in which was placed the

_Porta_ of _Diana_ of the _Ephesians_, a Present of _Trajan_, taken

from the _Scythians_, containing a Description of the Wars of the

Giants, a _Jupiter_ arm’d with Thunder, _Neptune_ with his Trident,

_Apollo_ with his Darts and Quiver. In the lower Part of the _Porta_

were figured the Giants attacking the Dragons, tossing large Clods

of Earth, and looking in a fierce and a stern Manner. Hither it was

that the principal Men of the City usually convened freely to debate

of the important Affairs of the Government, whither also the Emperor

himself came in Procession, when he receiv’d the _Consular_ Robes. It

was a very noble and magnificent Building. The same Authors mention

another spacious Edifice situate against it, which was consumed by

the same Fire, and was call’d the _Nympheum_, because the Marriage

Rites were perform’d in this Place, as being capacious enough to hold

the numerous Assemblies which attended those Solemnities. They add

farther, that on the West Side of the same _Forum_ was placed a Statue

of _Minerva_ of _Lyndus_. She had a Helmet on her Head, and a Shield in

her Hand, on which was figured _Medusa_ with Snakes and Adders entwin’d

round her Neck; for in this Manner the ancient Statuaries usually

carv’d _Minerva_. On the East Side of it was placed the Statue of an

_Amphitrite_, one of the _Syrens_, having her Temples encircled with

Crabs Claws. The _unknown_ Author of the History of _Constantinople_

says, that on the same Side of the _Forum_ were placed the Statues of

several _Syrens_, which were call’d by some Sea-Horses; three of which,

he tells you, were remaining in his Time, at a Place in the Suburbs

call’d St. _Mamas_. On the North Side of the _Forum_ was erected upon

a lofty Pillar a Figure of that Cross which _Constantine_ saw in the

Heavens. This is confirm’d by the Authority of most Historians, but

principally by _Eusebius_, who although he is not express as to his

setting it up in the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, yet as his Authority is

not to be disputed, when he asserts, that he set it up in _Old Rome_

in the Heart of the City, ’tis reasonable to believe that he did so at

_Constantinople_, since the same Writer assures us, that he set up a

true Representation of the same Cross in all his finest buildings, and

in the most remarkable Places of _Constantinople_. In Memory of which,

as _Sozomen_ writes, _Constantine_ chang’d the most famous and most

honourable War-like Standard among the _Romans_, which was always bore

before their Princes, and to which the Soldiers were obliged by Law to

pay divine Adoration, into the Ensign of the Cross, to bring them off

from their heathenish Rites, and idolatrous Worship. _Prudentius_, upon

this Occasion, has the following Lines:

Christ_’s radiant Form upon the Standard rose,

Emboss’d with sparkling Gems, and burnish’d Gold,

Which o’er the Purple Ground-work cast a Light.

No dreadful Shields hung on the blazon’d Flag_;

Christ_’s awful Name alone was there inscrib’d.

While on its Top, sure Sign of Victory,

The Cross triumphant blaz’d in costly Stones._

_Eusebius_ writes, that he saw the same Expression of the _Christian_

Standard in his Time. _There was_, says he, _a tall Spear which was

transvers’d near the Top with a short piece of Wood, in the Figure of

a Cross at the Top of which was a Crown made of precious Stones, and

curiously wrought with Gold, in the Middle of which were embroider’d

the two initial Letters of_ Jesus Christ, _with the_ Greek _Letter_

X, _in the Form of a Cross. The Ensign or Standard was fix’d to the

transverse Part of the Spear._ From this Description of _Eusebius_,

the Difference between what was then called the _Labarum_ and

_Syparum_ seems to be this; that the _Labarum_ signifies only a

longer Piece of Wood transversed near the Top with a short Piece, and

that the _Syparum_ is the Veil, or Flag, which falls down from the

transverse Part. The Religion of the old _Romans_ was purely military,

they worshipp’d their Standards, and swore by them; which Custom was

abolish’d, upon the introducing the Christian Standard.

I hope the Reader will pardon me, if I here go a little out of my way,

to vindicate the Story of _Constantine_’s seeing the Cross in the

Heavens, from the Charge of Fiction and Imposture. There is scarce any

Miracle, in my Opinion, which seems to be better attested than this,

or which is capable of being confirm’d by more Eye-witnesses; for

_Eusebius_, who lived in those Times, writes, that it was not only seen

by _Constantine_ himself, but also by his whole Army, and that too in

the Middle of the Day; and adds, that the Truth of the Fact was not

only believed by the _Christians_, but by those who were Enemies to the

Cross of _Christ_. So prevalent was the Report of this Miracle, that

the Inhabitants testify in the triumphal Arch, which they dedicated

to _Constantine_, that he conquer’d _Maxentius_ by the immediate

Direction and Assistance of the Divinity, although but a little before

many of them were of _Maxentius_’s Party, and Enemies to the Christian

Name: So that they did not, in that triumphal Arch, made in Honour of

_Constantine_, change the Form of the Cross into that of our Saviour’s,

but order’d it to be figur’d with such Sculptures and Expressions, as

were carv’d on the Arches of _Trajan_, _Severus_, and other _Roman_

Emperors, as appears by some such Monuments of _Antiquity_ as are at

present to be seen at _Rome_. I cannot conclude with so much Certainty,

that _Nazarius_ was a Christian, because his Daughter _Euphemia_ was

such, as I can, from his panegyrical Address to _Constantine_. _’Tis

the general Discourse among the_ Gauls, says he, _that there was an

Angelick Host seen in the Air, and that they were sent by God; and

although Things of a celestial Nature are imperceptible by human Sight,

because a simple and incompounded Substance is not properly the Object

of our Senses; yet_, as he proceeds, _these your auxiliary Forces

of Heaven, who are cloath’d with visible Appearances, attended upon

you, as Witnesses of your great Merits, and then withdrew into their

etherial Mansions. But of what Species of the Creation were these

exalted Spirits? Of what Firmness and Vigour of Body; of what Largeness

of Limbs? Their glittering Shields blaz’d in an awful Manner, and the

Splendour of their celestial Armour was terrible: They march’d in such

formidable Array, that they seem’d to wait on you as your Guards. This

was the Language which was heard among them: We are flying to the

Assistance of_ Constantine. _Beings of a heavenly Nature may be allow’d

to triumph, and there’s an Ambition which becomes them. This noble Army

of Spirits who descended from above, were sent down by Omnipotence

itself, and gloried that they fought for you._ But I shall add nothing

farther of our Author, and shall only observe, that some Historians

take Notice, that this large Cross was plac’d upon a gilded Column

in the _Philadelphium_, which was the _Poets College_, and, as the

following Inscription shews, was built near the _Porphyry_ Pillar.

Upon the _Porphyry_ Pillar in the _Philadelphium_.

Muselius’ _publick Acts aloud proclaim,

A firm Attachment to the Emperor’s Service.

This fam’d_ Museum, _sacred Seat of Learning

He rais’d, and plac’d his Prince’s Picture here._

And another thus.

_This Building is an Honour to the Learn’d,

One of the City’s brightest Ornaments,

A Spur to laudable and virtuous Actions,

A great Encouragement to virtuous Men._

And again.

_The good_ Muselius, _steddily believing

The heavenly_ λόγος _to be truly God,

This Structure made an Off’ring to his Service._

_Julian_, the _Prefect_ of the City, set up a gilded Statue of

_Anastasius_ before the _College_ of the Poets, on which was inscribed

a Couple of elegant Verses; yet no Mention is made in them, in what

Part of the City this College was built. When a Report was made to

_Manuel_ the Emperor, that from antient Times, on the West Side of the

_Forum_ of _Constantine_, there had stood in the Nich of the Wall two

female Statues made of Brass, one a _Roman_, the other an _Hungarian_

Woman; and that the Statue of the _Roman_ Woman projected, by Reason of

its Craziness, beyond its Base, and the Statue of the _Hungarian_ Woman

stood fixed in its Station; he sent some Workmen to erect the _Roman_,

and demolish the _Hungarian_ Statue, thinking by this Means, that the

Affairs of _New-Rome_ would take a new Turn of Prosperity and Success.

In the same _Forum_, among other elegant Statues of famous Men, was the

Statue of _Longinus_, who had been _Prefect_ of the City, on which was

cut the following Inscription, made by _Arabius_.

Iberia, Persis, _and the distant_ Nile,

_The_ Solymæans, Indians, _and_ Armenians,

_With all th’ extended Regions of the West,

The_ Colchi, _bordering near to_ Caucasus,

_Which hides its tow’ring Head amongst the Clouds,

And all the flow’ry Plains of fair_ Arabia,

Longinus’ _Expedition can attest;

With what Dispatch he flew to treat of Peace,

And with what Speed successfully return’d_.

I shall take no Notice of the Statue of _Themistius_ the Philosopher,

plac’d near the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, whom _Valentinian_ had

dignified with the Title of _Prefect_ of the City, and to whom the

Emperor _Valens_ had done more Honour by his Writings, than any

Statue or high Station whatsoever. _Socrates_ gives us the following

Account of the Death of _Arius_, the Ring-leader of the Sect of the

_Arians_. _Arius_, says he, when he had made his Appearance before

_Constantine the Great_, at his coming out of the Palace, attended

by the Life-Guards, of which _Eusebius_ was Commander, and passing

thro’ the City, gaz’d at by Crowds of People; when he came near the

_Porphyry_ Pillar in the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, and being informed

upon Enquiry, where there was a Privy, he repairs thither under a

strange Terror and Despondency of Mind, where being oppressed with an

uncommon falling of the Bowels, his strait Gut fell from him, which

was followed by a large Effusion of Blood, which brought away his

small Guts, his Liver, and his Spleen, so that he died instantly. The

same Author adds, that this Privy was standing in his Time. There is

nothing however remaining at present in the _Forum_ of _Constantine_,

but the _Porphyry_ Pillar, for the Ground of it is wholly rebuilt

upon. Near the Pillar there stands a _Caravansera_, or a Place built

for the Entertainment of Strangers; and near that, a _Turkish_ Mosque,

built by _Hali Bassa_, the _Vestibule_ or Porch of which is large,

made of Marble, and adorned with six shining Pillars, four of white,

and two of _Thebaick_ Marble; the Shafts of which measure at the

bottom of them seven Foot and four Digits in Circumference. These,

tho’ they are very tall Columns, have each of them, according to the

_Turkish_ Manner, two _Bases_; the lowermost of which was Marble, and

the other Brass. This Way of Building they learned from the _Greeks_,

who generally raised their _Pedestals_ with a very high _Cornice_.

Not far from this Mosque there stands a School, or College, inhabited

by the Professors of the _Mahometan_ Divinity. There’s a quadrangular

_Portico_ runs round it, which is supported with eighteen Pillars,

Part of which consist of green, and Part of white Marble. A little

below that of _Ali-Bassa_ stands another Mosque. ’Tis seated on the

highest Eminence of the second Valley, and has a Marble _Vestibule_,

adorned with six Columns; two of which are made of _Porphyry_ Marble

variegated, two of white Marble with Sky coloured Streaks, and two of

a dark green Marble stained with White. From some Things, which, as I

remarked before, stood on the second Hill, you discover the Situation

of Part of the third _Ward_, (in which was built the Tribunal of the

_Forum_ of _Constantine_) and almost all the fifth and sixth _Ward_. I

would observe also in this Place, that _Dionysius_ places the Temples

of _Tellus_, _Ceres_, _Proserpina_, _Juno_ and _Pluto_, partly on

the Eminencies of the second Hill, and partly on the Plain on the

Sea-Shore below it. He places the Temple of _Tellus_ in particular

beyond the Bay, without the Walls of _Old Byzantium_. He tells us,

_That this Temple is open at Top, to shew the Freedom of the Earth in

her Productions, and that the Walls of it are built of a fine polished

Stone_. He adds farther, _That above the Temple of_ Tellus, _stood

the Temples of_ Ceres _and_ Proserpina, _which were beautified with a

large Collection of fine Paintings, the curious Reliques of preceding

Times, and with Statues no Ways inferior to them, finished in the most

elaborate Manner. The Temples of_ Juno _and_ Pluto, he tells us, _were

situate where the Sea winds off from the Continent; and that nothing

was remaining of them in his Time, but the Names of them only_. He

continues, _That_ Cyrus _in his Expedition against the_ Scythians, _in

Return of the Preparations made against him by the_ Byzantians, _burnt

down the Temple of_ Juno; _and that_ Philip _of_ Macedon, _when he was

carrying on the Siege of_ Byzantium, _and wanted some Materials for

that Purpose, demolished the Temple of_ Pluto; _and that the Names

of each of these Temples still continued: For the Temple of_ Pluto

_was called_ Acra Plutonis, _as was the Temple of_ Juno _called_ Acra

Heræa; _and lastly, that in these Temples, the Youth constantly at

the Beginning and End of the Year, offered their Sacrifices_. It will

appear more probable, that these _Acræ_ were seated on some Eminencies

of the second Hill, rather than in the Plain below it, because there is

not the least Appearance of either of them in that Place: So that when

_Dionysius_ records it, that these _Acræ_ of _Pluto_ and _Juno_, were

situate very near the Sea-Shore, he must intend only that they were

only the _Points_ of some Dock, or Haven. If this be not his Meaning,

the _Acræ_ here mentioned ought to be interpreted the _Sea-Shores_;

but I have enlarged more fully on this Matter in my _Treatise of the_

Bosporus.

CHAP. V.

_Of the Seventh_ Ward.

The _Antient Description of the Wards_ tells us, that the Situation

of the seventh _Ward_, in Comparison with the sixth, is more upon the

Level, altho’ at the Extremity of one of its Sides, it falls with a

greater Declivity into the Sea; and from hence I concluded, that there

could be little Difficulty in discovering where this _Ward_ stood. But

this Description of it is not peculiar to it, but common also to other

_Wards_. For as to what the Author adds, that this _Ward_ stretches it

self with very long _Portico’s_ from the _Right Hand_ of the Pillar of

_Constantine_, to the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_; as it does also on the

other Side of it down to the Sea-Shore, extended in the same Manner: I

could make no more Observations from this Account of it, than I could

from the Buildings which are mentioned to be contained in it, since

the very Remembrance of them is entirely lost. I therefore considered

with my self, what the Author might probably be understood to mean by

the _Right Hand_ of the Pillar of _Constantine_. In this Difficulty

I had Recourse to _Livy_, who says, that _Romulus_ has determined

all the _Wards_, which reach from East to West, to be the Right Hand

_Wards_, and all the _Wards_ which extended from South to North to be

Left Hand _Wards_. But I could not explain the Difficulty this Way;

for by this Means I had made this _Ward_ to stretch it self Southward;

whereas I shall shew plainly in another Place, that it extended it self

to the North. Nor could the _Geographical_ Method give me any Light

into this Matter; for when these Gentlemen take the Altitude of the

Pole, they look full North, so that the East lies directly on their

Right Hand. _Varro_, who has defined to an Exactness the four Parts of

the Heavens, following the _Astrological Scheme_, has given me some

Insight into this Matter: He tells us, that the South lies directly

before us, and the North behind us, so that the East lies to the left

Hand, and the West to the Right. I judged by this Division of the

Heavens into four Parts, that the seventh _Ward_ was situate Westward

of the Pillar of _Constantine_; and yet was in Suspence, whether the

Author _of the Description_ followed the Division of _Romulus_, or

that of the _Astrologers_. I was therefore under greater Hesitation

than I was before, till after a diligent Enquiry I made a Discovery

where the Column of _Theodosius_ stood, and of some Footsteps of the

Churches of _Anastasia_ and _Hirena_, by which I perceived that the

seventh _Ward_ descended from the Top of the _Promontory_ down to the

Bay, and that this Author had described its Situation more distinctly,

had he told us, that as you go from East to West, the seventh _Ward_

extends it self on the right Hand, from the Pillar of _Constantine_,

to the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_. In this _Ward_ antiently were erected

several fine Buildings, which stood on the same Ground where the

most famous Place of Merchandize in the City, by the _Turks_ called

_Bezestan_, or their _Exchange_, stands at present, and where the most

valuable Goods of all Kinds are kept, as they were in the Reigns of the

_Christian_ Emperors, in the Building called the _Lampterum_, which

I believe formerly stood in another Place. I am prevailed upon to be

of this Opinion, when I consider the Ruines occasioned by the Fire,

which happened in the Reign of _Justinian_; and which, as _Cedrinus_

relates, destroyed, among other Edifices, the Church of St. _Sophia_,

the Place where they kept the _Records_ of it, the _Octogon_, the Baths

of _Zeuxippus_, and the famous Structure of the _Lampterum_, so called,

by reason of the _Lights_ burning there every Night. This Building was

roofed with Wood, where the most costly Commodities, such as Silks,

Velvets, and the richest _Brocades_ were reposited. In short, this

Fire consumed every Thing, which the former Fire had spar’d. I might

not improperly have called it λαμπτῆρες, which in _Latin_ signifies

_Lucernæ_, as ’tis confirmed by the Authorities of _Livy_ and _Pliny_.

CHAP. VI.

_Of the Street called_ Taurus, _the_ Forum _of_ Theodosius, _the

Pillar of_ Theodosius _with Winding Stairs, of the_ Tetrapylum, _the_

Pyramidical _Engine of the Winds, the Statues of_ Arcadius _and_

Honorius, _of the Churches of_ Hirena _and_ Anastasia, _and the Rocks

called_ Scyronides.

When I was quite out of Heart as to Discovery of the seventh _Ward_,

and the _Taurus_, without which no Discovery could be made of the

eighth _Ward_, I made the best Enquiry I could after some other

Buildings, which might lead me into the Knowledge of them. And after

I had searched for the Situation of the Pillar of _Theodosius_ for a

considerable Time, I was informed by some antient Persons, that it

stood on the Top of the _Promontory_, where the Plain of the third Hill

extends it self, which is near the New _Bagnio_ built by _Bajazet_

the Emperor, who had demolished that Pillar above forty Years before

I came to _Byzantium_, that he might build his _Bagnio_ with more

Convenience. Beyond that Bath, Northward, there is a broad Way, where

there are three Booksellers Shops, and an antient Cistern; more towards

the South is the _Seraglio_. This broad Way widens Eastward into a

large _Area_, at the farther End of which is the Sepulchre of _Bajazet_

the Emperor, with a Mosque, and a _Caravansera_. _Cedrinus_ relates,

that this Pillar of _Theodosius_ is, in all Parts, like that which was

erected by _Arcadius_, and is still standing in the _Xerolophum_, which

I shall have Occasion to describe hereafter. _Zonaras_ writes, that

the Pillar in the _Taurus_, erected at the Expence of _Theodosius_,

whereon were expressed the Trophies he took, and his well-fought

Battles with the _Scythians_, and barbarous Nations, with his own

Statue at the Top of it, was thrown down by an Earthquake, the same

Year that _Old Rome_ was taken. _Anastasius_ the Emperor ordered many

curious Pieces of Brass Workmanship to be demolished, and new cast into

his own Statue. Among these was a famous Statue of _Constantine the

Great_, which, with other Statues, made a large _Equestrian_ Statue,

which was gilded, dignified with his own Name and Title, and placed on

the same Pillar, where before had stood the Statue of _Theodosius_.

I would observe here by the By, that the Street called the _Taurus_

was the same Place, where the Pillar of _Theodosius_ stood; and from

hence I would observe farther, that the seventh _Ward_ stood on the

Top and Sides of the third Hill. And although the seventh _Ward_ does

not contain the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_, yet it is not improbable

that it was but at a small Distance from it, not only if we consider

how exactly _Constantinople_ emulated _Old Rome_; but also, if any

Dependence may be had on the Authority of _Evagrius_, who asserts,

that the Fire which happened in the Reign of _Leo_, burnt down all

the Edifices from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, to the _Forum_ of

_Taurus_. _An antient Native of_ Constantinople _informed me, that in

his Time the_ Forum _of_ Taurus, _and the Pillar of_ Theodosius _stood

in the same Place, and that it was like the_ Hippodrom, _full of wild

and uncultivated Trees. And because it was only a Shelter for Thieves

and Robbers, the Emperor_ Mahomet, _who took the City, voluntarily

bestowed the Ground on those who would build upon it_. That the _Forum

Pistorium_, or Bread-market, stood on Part of the Ground of the _Forum_

of _Theodosius_, or at least was very near to it, I conjecture from

_Zonaras_, who says, that as the Emperor _Nicephorus Phocas_ was

coming out of his Palace, situate at the _Golden Fountain_, and near

the _Porta Aurea_, the People pursued him grievously with Railery

and Invective from the _Forum Pistorium_, as far as the Pillar of

_Constantine_. The _unknown Author_ of the History of _Constantinople_

is of the same Opinion, as to the Situation of the _Taurus_, and the

Pillar, and tells us, _That the Pillar stood in a paved Court, near

the_ Forum Pistorium; and adds, _that in the same Place there was

a square Building, with four Gates, and four_ Portico’s _round it,

which he calls the_ Tetrapylum, _which before was called_ Quatrivium.

_Cedrinus_ places the _Tetrapylum_ not far from the _Forum_ of

_Taurus_, when he tells us, that the Fire in _Leo_’s Time, destroyed

two large Churches, adorned with all Kinds of curious Stones; one

not far from the _Tetrapylum_, the other adjoining to the _Forum_ of

_Taurus_. The same Author, speaking of another Fire, which happened in

the same Emperor’s Reign, writes, that it consumed all the Buildings

from the _Tetrapylum_, covered with Plates of Brass, to the Church.

The Author of the _Description of the Wards_ writes, that there was

in _Constantinople_ one gilded _Tetrapylum_, but does not mention in

what _Ward_ it stood. _Johannes_ the _Rhetorician_ (as he is cited by

_Evagrius_) tells us, that in the Reign of _Zeno_ the Emperor, one

_Mamianus_, an eminent Senator, built at _Constantinople_ some handsome

_Portico’s_, and that between two of them he built a _Tetrapylum_, as

a Boundary to both, which he splendidly adorned with Brass and Marble

Pillars; and adds, that in his Time the _Portico’s_ bore the Name of

some Emperor, and that large Stones of _Proconnesian_ Marble, the

Reliques of their antient Beauty and Magnificence, lay on the Ground,

but that there was not the least Sign of the _Tetrapylum_ remaining.

The _unknown_ Author abovementioned says, that in this _Tetrapylum_,

over the Pillars, there was a Chamber, where the Empress, and the

Relations of the Emperor deceased, received the News of his Death; and

having their Faces veiled, bewailed his Departure till six o’ Clock in

the Evening, when meeting the Corpse passing by, they attended it to

the Church of the _Apostles_, where they usually buried their Emperors.

The _Tetrapylum_ seems to me to have formerly been the Temple of

_Janus Quadrifrons_, and stood near the _Capitol_. It had, like that

of _Old Rome_, four Doors, denoting the four Seasons of the Year. For

_Janus_ takes his Name _ab eundo_, and therefore all _Passages_ are

said to be sacred to him, and the Doors of all Temples are called

_Januæ_. Some Authors tell us, that in the _Forum Pistorium_ there

was a quadrilateral _Pyramid_. _Cedrinus_ defines this _Tetrasceles_

to be a quadrilateral Engine, invented to shew in what Point of the

Compass the Wind stood, and adds, that _Theodosius the Great_ erected

a Machine in the Form of a _Pyramid_, adorned with several Figures of

Animals, of Plants, of Fruits, of gilded Bunches of Pomegranates, and

naked _Cupids_, in _Basso Relievo_. Some of these _Cupids_ were cut in

a gay smiling Humour, some of the Uppermost were wantoning, and playing

their little Tricks with those who were below them, while others were

dancing. There was carved upon it a Set of young Fellows playing upon

brazen Pipes. On the Top of the _Pyramid_ was a Vane, or Weathercock,

which shewed in what Corner the Wind sat. The Statues of _Arcadius_ and

_Honorius_ were placed near the Statue of _Theodosius_ their Father;

that of _Arcadius_ in an Eastern, and that of _Honorius_ in a Western

Nich. _Socrates_, who has wrote the _History of the Christians_, tells

us, that _Valens_ the Emperor built out of the Ruines of _Chalcedon_,

a large _Aqueduct_, which he brought into the City, and which supplied

a very capacious Cistern, built by _Clearchus_, who was _Prefect_ of

_Constantinople_, and which, in his Time, was called the _Cistern_, or,

as the original Word in _Socrates_ seems more properly to signifie,

the _Lake_ of _Theodosius_. _Zonaras_ and _Cedrinus_ call this Lake a

_Nympheum_, and add to the Authority of _Socrates_, that the _Prefect_

of the City celebrated there a great Festival, and very splendidly

entertained all the People. I would remark from these Citations,

that the Place which _Socrates_ calls the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_,

is called by _Zonaras_ and _Cedrinus_, the _Taurus_, and that they

are both the same _Forum_, and that the _Nympheum_ here mentioned is

different from the _Nympheum_ which is situate near the _Forum_ of

_Constantine_, over against the Senate-House, and where they usually

solemnized their Weddings, as has been observed before. The Author of

the _Antient Description, &c._ writes, that the _Carosian Bagnio’s_

were so called from _Carosia_, the Daughter of the Emperor _Valens_;

but he does not tell us in what Part of the third Hill they stood,

nor could I discover when I was at _Constantinople_, whether they are

entirely in Ruines, and others built in the Room of them, (as there

are very large ones at present on the Top and the Sides of the third

Hill, which the _Turks_ have built) or not. The same Author places the

Churches of St. _Hirena_ and _Anastasia_ in the seventh _Ward_, but

does not mention in what Part of it. Nor is it possible to find out

their Situation, but from the Historical Accounts we have received of

it, which say, that when the City was taken by the _Franks_ and the

_Venetians_, a Fire began at the Synagogue of the _Saracens_, in that

Part of the City which declines towards the Sea Northward, very near to

the Church of St. _Hirena_. That this Church stood within the Precinct

of the _Seraglio_, I was first informed by some antient People of the

City; I afterwards took Notice of a lofty Tower which stood without

the Precinct of the _Seraglio_, which was situate on the East Side

of the third Hill. It was a square Building, and is still called by

the Vulgar _Hirene_; but whether it was the Church of St. _Hirene_,

or the Empress _Hirena_, I cannot tell. I find among the Monuments of

antient Learning, that there were three Churches at _Constantinople_

dedicated to St. _Hirena_. The first was called the Old Church of St.

_Hirena_, which, as _Socrates_ writes, was built by _Constantine the

Great_, and stood near the Church of St. _Sophia_. The second, I am now

speaking of, stood on the third Hill; and the third, as _Procopius_

says, was built by _Justinian_, at the Mouth of the Bay called _Ceras_,

or _Cornu_, and was called the Church of St. _Hirena_ the Martyr. Some

Authors write, that the Church of _Anastasia_ was built in that Place,

where the new _Bezestan_, or new _Basilica_ now stands: Others that

it was situate near the Cistern, supported with Abundance of Marble

Pillars, and stands between the _Basilica’s_ of the _Forum_, and the

Tomb, and _Caravansera_ of _Bajazet_ the Emperor. _Sozomen_ writes,

that when St. _Gregory_ went from _Nazianzum_ to _Constantinople_, he

preached in a small Church built by his Auditors, which was afterwards

very much enlarged by succeeding Emperors, and was also beautified and

adorned in the most expensive Manner, and was called the Church of

St. _Anastasia_. Whether it was so called, because St. _Gregory_ by

his Sermons preached in this Church had revived the _Constitutions_

and _Decrees_ of the Council of _Nice_; or whether, as he adds, it

went by that Name, because a Woman big with Child, falling from the

upper Gallery, and dying upon the Spot, was restored to Life again

by the joint Prayers of the Congregation then present, I shall not

determine. However ’tis plain from this Passage of _Sozomen_, that

those Historians are grievously in the wrong, who say, that this Church

was built in Memory of St. _Anastasia_, a _Roman_ Saint. In my Treatise

of the _Thracian Bosporus_, I have shewn, that on the North Side of

the third Hill there rise some Rocks from the lowermost Eminencies of

it, which were call’d _Scironides_, by those who first transplanted a

Colony from _Megara_ and _Corinth_, to _Byzantium_. These Rocks were so

call’d, because of the Resemblance they bear to the _Scironides_, which

grow between _Corinth_ and _Megara_. I shall take the Freedom here just

to mention what’s worth observing on the third Hill. On the Top of it

stands the Tomb of _Bajazet_ the Emperor, near a _Caravansera_, and a

large Mosque which was built by him, after the Likeness of the Church

of St. _Sophia_, which is roof’d with Brick-work, and cover’d with

Lead. It has a large Porch or _Vestibule_, pav’d with white Marble, and

is surrounded with four _Portico’s_, which are supported with Columns

of the choicest Marble. In the Middle of it is a fine Fountain, which

falls into a large Bason, which emits the falling Water through several

little Cocks. The Mosque and _Vestibule_ is surrounded on three Sides

with a large _Area_, which is enclosed partly with Walls, and partly

with a _Caravansera_; and on the fourth Side ’tis encompass’d with a

Garden adjoining, in the Middle of which is the Tomb of _Bajazet_, in

a small Edifice built in a cylindrick Form. On the Top of the third

Hill stands the _Seraglio_, where the Emperor’s Concubines constantly

reside; ’tis enclos’d with a high Wall, which, at my first Arrival

at _Constantinople_, was more than two Miles in Compass. The present

Emperor _Solyman_ has taken up a Place in the Middle of this Precinct,

where he is laying a Foundation for a _Caravansera_, and his future

Sepulchre, which are now building with the most elegant Marble, brought

from several Parts of the _Turkish_ Dominions, so that you may see

infinite Kinds of it lying about the Building, not lately dug out of

the Quarry, but such as for many Ages has been used in the Palaces

of several Princes and Emperors, not only at _Byzantium_, but in

_Greece_, and all _Ægypt_. In the seventh _Ward_ I saw three ancient

Cisterns, not taken Notice of in the _Description of the Wards_; one

in the _Forum_ of _Taurus_, another between the Tomb of _Bajazet_ and

the _Bezestan_, both of which are supported with Marble Pillars. The

third was built on a Clift of the third Hill, which faced the North,

of which there are yet remaining six _Corinthian_ Pillars, very large

and tall, made of _Arabian_ Marble, and curiously wrought. Below the

_Base_ of the _Pedestal_ was lay’d an Earthen Pipe which convey’d Water

into a Cistern made of Brick, whose Roof also, which is Brick-work, is

supported with twenty square Brick Pillars. A little above the Cistern

there was formerly a Court belonging to a _Christian Church_, which the

_Turks_ demolish’d, to repair and beautify their own Houses. On that

Side of the Hill which extends itself Westward, there stands a Mosque,

whose _Vestibule_ is supported with twelve Pillars, six of which are

of _Arabian_ Marble. Above this Mosque there stands another, which is

also supported with Pillars, and was formerly a Church dedicated to

St. _Theodorus_. This however is not the same Church which _Procopius_

says _Justinian_ built in a Place call’d _Rhessium_. There is another

Christian Church, now a Mosque, standing between the _Seraglio_, and

the Tomb which the Emperor _Solyman_ built for his Son _Mahomet_, which

is incrusted with several Kinds of Marble, curiously variegated.

CHAP. VII.

_Of the eighth_ Ward, _and the Hind-part of the third Hill_.

I cannot find by the _Ancient Description of the Wards_, that the

eighth _Ward_ was situate on the South Side of the third Hill, though

it says, that the eighth _Ward_, on the Side of the _Taurus_, is not

bounded by the Sea, and may be look’d upon to be rather a narrow

than a broad Piece of Ground, though this Defect is sufficiently

amended by its great Length. For by this Description of it, I am left

altogether in Suspence, whether it lye North or South. But I discover

the Situation of the eighth _Ward_ from hence, that the Author _of

the Description_ tells us, that it contained part of the _Forum_ of

_Constantine_, and a _Portico_ on the left Side of it, as far as the

_Taurus_, and that the seventh _Ward_ stretch’d itself from the right

Hand of the Pillar of _Constantine_, to the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_. I

observe from these Authorities, that part of the _Promontory_, which

reaches from Sea to Sea, situate between the _Porphyry_ Pillar and

the _Taurus_, was divided into the North and South Side, and that

the _Portico’s_ on the right and left extending themselves from the

Pillar of _Constantine_ to the _Taurus_, parted the seventh and eighth

_Ward_, the former of which contain’d the right Hand _Portico’s_, and

the latter, the left. There’s nothing to be seen of these _Portico’s_

at present, but only the broad Way which runs from the Church of St.

_Sophia_ to the Land-Wall. This _Ward_ contains also the _Capitol_,

and the _Basilica_ of _Theodosius_ both of which, ’tis very probable,

stood near the Pillar and _Forum_ of _Theodosius_. It is no less

evident from _Zonaras_ and _Cedrinus_, that the Fire in _Leo_’s Time

consumed the Senate-House, built for the Dispatch of publick Business

by the great Council of the Empire, and for the Conveniency of the

Emperor, when _Consul_, to preside over them. This Senate-House, as

the same Authors add, had twelve Pillars curiously variegated, made of

_Trojan_ Marble, which were twenty five Foot high, the Roof of it being

supported with four Arches. This House, according to these Writers,

was about two hundred and forty Foot long, and a hundred and fifty

Foot broad. I am inclin’d to believe, from what I have mention’d upon

this Occasion, that it was either the _Capitol_, or the _Basilica_ of

_Theodosius_. For it is plain from modern _Historians_, that these

two Structures, by whomsoever they were rebuilt after the Fire, lost

their Names, and they tell us, that in the _Taurus_ there was a Palace,

and a Place for the Entertainment of Strangers. And these Authorities

are strengthen’d by some ancient People of _Constantinople_, who

attest, that in their Remembrance, near the _Mint-House_, where they

now coin their Money, there stood a spacious Palace, inhabited, as

some say, by _Mahomet_ who took the City, before he built the great

enclosed Palace which stands upon the first Hill, and that some of the

_Sultans_ have since beautified their Palaces out of the Ruins of the

former. The Place of Entertainment, or rather the Church, which stood

to the South-west of the _Taurus_, I saw entirely demolish’d, and the

Pillars of it carried off, to build a _Caravansera_, which the Emperor

_Solyman_ erected in Memory of his Son, whom he dearly lov’d. I leave

it to the _Greek_ Priests to make the Enquiry, whether this was not the

same with the Church of St. _Paul_, which stood in the seventh _Ward_,

though I could never yet meet with one of them, who could give me

Insight into this Matter.

CHAP. VIII.

_Of the ninth Ward; of the Temple of_ Concord; _of the Granaries of_

Alexandria _and_ Theodosius; _of the Baths of_ Anastasia, _of the

House of_ Craterus; _of the_ Modius, _and the Temple of the_ Sun

_and_ Moon.

That the ninth _Ward_ was situate behind the third Hill, partly on

the Clifts which lye under the Ridge of it, and partly on those which

lye at the Bottom of it, and partly on the Shore of the _Propontis_,

extending itself as far as the Gardens call’d _Blanchæ_; I am

convinced, among other Authorities, principally by the Author _of the

Description_, &c. who says, that the ninth _Ward_ is all a Declivity,

and bounded by the Sea, as also from the Account he gives of the eighth

_Ward_, which as it is not terminated on the Side of the _Taurus_,

by any Part of the Sea, I have Reason to believe, took up the Plain

on the Top of the third Hill, but not the Descents below it, and

that the ninth _Ward_ lies partly under the eighth, on that Side of

it, which extends from the _Taurus_ Southward towards the Sea of the

_Propontis_, and was partly situate also on the two Declivities; one of

which descends from the _Taurus_ to South, South-west, the other from

the Houses of the _Janizaries_ to the South. You may also discover

by the Situation of the Temple of _Concord_, where the ninth _Ward_

stood, which though it be not expressly declared by the Author _of the

Description_; yet Reason, and the Authority of other Writers, will

lead us into that Discovery. For _Evagrius_, describing the Fire which

happen’d in _Leo_’s Time, says, that it raged in a frightful Manner

on the North Side of the City, from the _Bosphorian_ Haven to the old

Temple of _Apollo_; on the South, from the Port of _Julian_, to the

Houses seated at a small Distance from the Temple of _Concord_; and

in the Middle Part of the City, from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_ to

the _Taurus_; and farther, that it extended itself in Length to the

Distance of five Furlongs. From hence it is discoverable, that the

Fire destroy’d all that Part of the ninth _Ward_, through which you

may draw a strait Line from the _Taurus_ to the _Propontis_. And this

would evidently appear to any one, who would walk the five Furlongs

from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_ to the _Forum_ of _Taurus_, and

there fix a Mark, and should afterwards walk Westward from the Port of

_Julian_, through the Plain on the Sea Shore, to the Distance of five

Furlongs more, and should there fix another Mark, and should compare

that Mark with another fix’d at the _Taurus_, he would vary very little

as to the Situation of the Temple of _Concord_. But that, and the

Church of St. _Thomas_ the _Apostle_ are now entirely in Ruins. If we

consider the Rules generally observed in Architecture, ’tis reasonable

to believe, that the Granaries of _Theodosius_ stood near the Port of

_Theodosius_, which was situate in the Gardens now call’d _Blanchæ_.

There was no Port either in the eighth or ninth _Ward_, but in that

Part of the twelfth _Ward_ which adjoins to the ninth, is the Port of

_Theodosius_, of which I shall speak more largely hereafter. Above the

_Blanchæ_ to the North, there stands a Temple upon an Eminence, call’d

_Myreleos_; in the Inside of which was a Cistern, the Roof of which is

supported with about sixty Marble Pillars. In the Place of this Cistern

there was formerly a Granary, which _Suidas_, though very improperly,

calls _Horeium_. The Statue of _Maimus_, says he, who march’d his Army

against the _Scythians_, stood in the _Horeium_, (which was before

the House of _Craterus_, now of _Myreleus_) near the _Modius_, and

the Brazen Hands. This _Modius_, or Bushel, was a settled Measure,

or Standard, according to which they bought and sold their Corn. The

Emperor _Valentinian_ made a Law, that twelve Bushels should be sold

at such a Sum; a certain Sea-faring Man, acting in Violation of this

Law, forfeited his right Hand. This, they tell you, was the Reason why

_Valentinian_ order’d two brazen Hands to be set up in a Nich of some

Place in the _Amastrianum_, and the brazen Bushel to be placed between

them. Others say, that _Valentinian_ commanded, that this Bushel should

not be sold by the Strike, but in full Measure; and that a certain

Offender lost both his Hands, for not observing this Order. _Cedrinus_

writes, that some Places here were call’d the _Amastrianum_, from a

sorry abandon’d Fellow, a Native of _Amastrum_, who laying under the

deepest Scandal for cursing the _Paphlagonians_, and to escape the

Punishment of Homicide, fled for Shelter to _Constantinople_. The

same Author writes, that in the same Place there was a very large

Temple of the _Sun_ and _Moon_, where were carved, at the Charge of

_Phidalia_, the _Sun_ riding in a white Chariot, and the _Moon_ as his

Spouse sitting by him. Below these Figures, near the Ground, was cut a

powerful Prince, prescribing the Rules of Obedience to his People. Near

his Throne was carv’d a _Jupiter_, in a recumbent Posture, which was

the Work of _Phidias_. If the House before mention’d was the House of

the learned _Craterus_ a Sophist, there was erected his _Suggestum_, or

Desk, which has been celebrated in Verse by _Julian_ the _Ægyptian_.

Besides the Curiosities, the ninth _Ward_ also contain’d the famous

Baths of _Anastasia_, which took their Name, as _Marcellinus_ says,

from _Anastasia_ the Sister of _Constantine_. _Sozomen_ writes, that

_Marcian_ the _Grammarian_ was Tutor to the two Daughters of the

Emperor _Valens_, _Anastasia_ and _Carosia_; and that the Baths which

went by their Names, were standing in _Constantinople_ in his Time.

CHAP. IX.

_Of the third Valley, and the tenth_ Ward; _of the House of_

Placidia, _and her Palace; of the_ Aqueduct _of_ Valentinian, _the_

Bagnio’s _of_ Constantine, _and the_ Nympheum.

That the tenth _Ward_ extended itself towards the North, and that it

was situate in the third Valley, and on the East Side of it; as also on

the Top of the _Promontory_, rising above the third Valley, is evident

from the Author of the _Description of the Wards_, who writes, that

the tenth _Ward_ is divided from the ninth by a broad Way; that it

lies much more upon the Level; that ’tis in no part of it uneven, but

near the Sea Shore; that ’tis of a proportionable Length and Breadth;

and that it contains the Church of St. _Achatius_, the _Bagnio’s_ of

_Constantine_, the House of _Placidia Augusta_, and many other fine

Buildings. But I could not find, after the utmost Search and Enquiry,

the Situation of any of them; so that I was obliged to have Recourse

to the Authority of Historians who had wrote of these Matters; and in

consulting them, I could not but take Notice of a Mistake in the Author

_of the Description_, &c. who says, that this _Ward_ contain’d the

_Bagnio’s_ of _Constantine_, whereas I cannot find, that _Constantine_

ever had any _Bagnio’s_ at _Constantinople_, but that _Constantius_

had. For _Sozomen_, speaking of those Persons, who, favouring St.

_Chrysostom_ and his Doctrine, were expelled the City, says, _That

perceiving the People to be furiously enraged against them, they did

not assemble the next Day in the great Church, but celebrated the Holy

Communion in a_ Bagnio, _which was called the_ Bagnio _of_ Constantius.

Suidas _reports, that_ Elladius Alexandrinus _wrote a Description of

the_ Bagnio’s _of_ Constantius, _in the Time of_ Theodosius _the_

Less. Socrates _relates, that_ Valens _the Emperor commanded the Walls

of_ Chalcedon _to be taken down, and the Stones to be carried to_

Constantinople _to build a_ Bagnio, _which was to be called the_ Bagnio

_of_ Constantius; and adds, _That in one of these Stones was cut a

Prophecy, which had been hid for many Ages, but was then explained_,

viz. _That when the City abounded with Water, a Wall would be of some

Service to a_ Bagnio, _and that numberless Nations of the_ Barbarians,

_should invade the Territories of the_ Romans, _make great Devastations

there, but at last should be overcome_. The Prophecy, as described by

_Socrates_, is as follows:

_When tender Virgins shall in Circles dance

Around the publick Cistern, and with Flowers

Dress the capacious Vessel, when the Streets

Shall be with fragrant Sweets, and Garlands crown’d,

When rising Waters shall o’reflow its Top,

And a Stone-Bason made to catch them in;

A mighty Host, in shining Armour clad,

A wild and warlike Race, shall come from far,

And pass the rapid_ Danube’s _silver Streams_:

Scythia, _and_ Mæsia’s _Lands unmeasurable

Shall be despoiled by their All-conquering Sword:

All_ Thrace _shall fear, the fatal Period’s come_.

_Zonaras_ and _Cedrinus_ write this Prophecy the same Way, but differ

in the _Greek_ from _Socrates_, and put for δροσερὴν, ἱερὴν, for

λουτροῖο, λουτροῖσι, for ἄγρια μαρμαίροντα, ἄγρα μαργαίνοντα, for

καλιρόοιο, κιμμερίοιο. This Prophecy is thus interpreted by _Socrates_,

who tells us, that it was fully accomplished, when _Valens_ built an

_Aqueduct_, which supplied the City with Plenty of Water, when the

_Barbarous_ Nations invaded the Territories of _New Rome_. However,

it is capable of being interpreted in another Manner. For after

_Valens_ had brought the _Aqueduct_ into _Constantinople_, _Clearchus_,

the _Prefect_ of the City, built a large Cistern in the _Forum_ of

_Theodosius_, into which the _Aqueduct_ emptied it self, and the People

were there entertained at a jovial Feast, and that therefore it was

called the _plentiful Cistern_, which they tell you, was foretold

by the Prophecy in the Lines abovementioned. But some Part of this

Prophecy was not fulfilled till some Time after, when the Wall of

_Chalcedon_ was pulling down by the Order of _Valens_. At this Time

the People of _Nicomedia_, of _Nice_, and _Bithynia_, petitioned the

Emperor against it, who being highly displeased with them for it, could

hardly be prevailed upon to comply with their Petition; and therefore

to disengage himself from an Oath he had made to demolish the Wall,

he ordered other Stones to be placed in their Room, as fast as the

old ones were taken down. So that you may see at present, what a

mean Superstructure is railed upon the Remains of the old Wall, which

consisted of Stones of the largest, and most wonderful Size. _Zonaras_

and _Cedrinus_ record it also, that _Valens_ to express his Resentment

against the People of _Chalcedon_, for giving Protection to his Enemy

_Procopius_, commanded the Walls of their City to be demolished, and

an _Aqueduct_ to be made of their Stones, which the former Historian

sometimes calls the _Aqueduct_ of _Valens_, and the latter sometimes

the _Aqueduct_ of _Valentinian_; and adds, among other Passages of

the History before mentioned, that according to the Prophecy, the

_Barbarous_ Nations made their Incursions into _Thrace_, but were

afterwards defeated. The _Aqueduct_ of _Valentinian_, which is highly

arched, passing thro’ the tenth Ward, reaches from the Sides of the

fourth, to the Side of the third Hill. I should be much surprized, that

the Author _of the Description of the Wards_, who has taken Notice of

the Granaries of _Valentinian_, has not mentioned it; but that I am

sensible he has omitted many other Monuments of _Antiquity_, which were

in Being in his Time. In the Reign of _Constantine_, the Son of _Leo_

the Emperor (who was a declared Enemy to Images in Churches) and in the

Year of our Lord 759, there was so great a Drought at _Constantinople_,

that the Dew ceas’d to fall from Heaven, and all the Cisterns,

_Bagnio’s_, and Fountains of the City were dry’d up; which the Emperor

observing, he began to repair the _Aqueduct_ of _Valentinian_, which

continued in good Order, till the Reign of _Heraclius_, when it was

demolished by the _Avares_. Upon this he sent for Workmen from many

Places to rebuild it; from _Asia_ and _Pontus_ he had a Thousand

Builders, and two hundred White-washers; from _Greece_ five hundred

Brick-makers, and from _Thrace_ a Thousand Day-labourers, over whom

there presided a Nobleman, and some of the principal Men of the City,

as Surveyors of the Works. When the _Aqueduct_ was finished, the City

was again supplied with Water, which was conveyed into the Town through

a Passage lying between the ninth and the tenth Ward. There are many

subterraneous _Aqueducts_ which run through six of the Hills, but the

_Aqueduct_ of _Valentinian_ has its Course above Ground, which the

Historians, who have wrote of the _Actions_ of _Andronicus_ tell you,

passed through the Great _Forum_, that the Water of it was clear and

pleasant, that it was repaired and enlarged by _Andronicus_ himself,

and that he encreased its Current by the River _Hydrales_. At the

Spring-head, from whence this _Aqueduct_ arose, he built a Tower and a

Palace, where he used to divert himself in the Summer. He also brought

the Water from the same River into the _Blachernæ_, which is a Part of

the _Suburbs_. The Tower was ruined by _Isacius_ his Successor, in pure

Resentment to his Memory. We are told by _Procopius_, that _Justinian_

repaired the Church of _Achatius_, when injured by Time; that he placed

white Marble Pillars round it, and that he paved and incrusted the

Sides of it with the same kind of Marble, so that the whole Building

was beautifully white. There were two _Portico’s_ adjoyning to the

Church, one which opening to the _Forum_, is encompassed with Pillars.

This Passage is not inserted in the printed Edition of _Procopius_,

which induced me the more to take Notice of it here. _Cedrinus_

writes, that the Church of St. _Achatius_ stood in a Place called the

_Heptascalum_; others say, that it stood in the _Scala_; but no body

at present knows where that Place was. However, if any one hereafter

should have the Curiosity to enquire where this Church stood, I

would advise him to take along with him the following Direction. Let

him enquire where the great House stands, which Historians call the

_Carya_, because there stands in the _Area_ of it a Nut Tree, upon

which, they tell you, that _Achatius_ was put to Death, and upon

that Occasion, that a Church was built in Memory of him, which some

think, was situate in the _Neorium_, because they have seen it in some

Authors, that the Image of St. _Achatius_, made with Glass Stones, and

inlay’d with Gold, was placed in the Church of the _Neorium_. But the

Person of whom this is spoke was another _Achatius_, who, not only, as

many Historians, but as _Suidas_ the Grammarian tells us, was Bishop of

_Constantinople_ in the Time of _Leo Marcellus_, but a Man of so proud

and haughty a Spirit, that he commanded many of his Pictures to be

placed in Churches, while he was yet alive, from whence he was called

_Doxomanes_. The House of _Placidia_, I have observed before, stood in

the first _Ward_, so that it may be questioned, whether it ought to

be read _Domus Placidiæ_, or _Placillæ_, or _Placidæ_; for _Agathius_

takes Notice of the Palaces of _Placidæ_ or _Placidi_, in the following

Inscription.

The learned _Agathius_ upon a Picture in the Palace of _Placidia_,

set up by the Gentlemen of the LONG ROBE, or new _Chancery_.

_The learned Sages of the Law have plac’d

At their Expence, great_ Thomas’ _Picture here,

Near that which represents his Royal Mistress.

This mighty Honour he’s entitl’d to,

In that he serv’d his Prince with Faithfulness,

And was the constant Guardian of his Throne:

His Prudence fill’d the Royal Treasury,

And rais’d th’ Imperial Family, yet higher.

To celebrate his Worth, for Times to come,

His Picture shines amongst our Emperors._

Beyond the Rocks called _Scironides_, _Dionysius_ mentions a long Shore

in a Plain of the third Valley, and the fourth Hill, which is looked

upon as a remarkable Place for Fishing; for ’tis a very deep and a very

still Water, which was antiently call’d _Cycla_, because the _Greeks_

had formerly hemm’d in there the _Barbarians_. There is also in the

same Place, an Altar dedicated to _Minerva Dissipatoria_, which was

erected in Memory of that Action. Beyond _Cycla_ is a Creek called

_Melias_, another famous Place for Fishing, which is enclosed with

several Rocks, and a Ridge of the _Promontory_ hanging over the Sea.

There is no Creek in this Valley at present. Time has filled it up, as

we learn from _Strabo_, who writes, that this Creek was called _Ceras_,

because it had many Inlets into the Shore in the Form of a Deer’s Horn,

but there’s scarce any Appearance of them at present. _Zosimus_, who

wrote his History in the Reign of _Arcadius_ and _Honorius_, tells us,

that _Constantinople_ was then so crowded with Inhabitants, that the

Emperors did not only enlarge the Walls beyond those of _Constantine_,

but that they built upon Timber Foundations over the Sea. This Method

of Building, ’tis probable, very much contributed in Time to incumber

and stop up these Inlets of the Creek. At the End of the Creek called

_Melias_, is a Place which goes by the Name of Κῆπος, because ’tis very

good Garden Ground. Beyond the Garden is a Place named _Aspasius_; but

of this I have spoken in my _Treatise_ of the _Bosporus_.

_The End of the Third Book._

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THE ANTIQUITIES OF CONSTANTINOPLE.