A Prince of Remarkable Clemency and Goodness, 28
His Military Standard, 183
The Story of his seeing the Cross in the Heavens vindicated, 84
His Coffin, 222
CONSTANTINOPLE, its delightful Situation, 1
Its Strength, 2
Its Commodities, 3
Conveniencies of its Port, 5
Is the Key of the _Mediterranean_ and _Black Sea_, 6
Its choice Wines, 7
Its Timber, 8
Its Fish, 9
Temperature of its Climate, _ibid._
The Disposition of its Inhabitants, 10
The Fortress of all _Europe_, 11
Its Magnificence and vast Extent, 24, 25
Its Figure, 29
Its Compass and Length, 30
Its Breadth, 31
Strength, and Stateliness of its Walls, 67
By whom built and repair’d, 68
Its several Gates, 70
The long Walls of it by whom built, 72
Divided into 14 Wards, 73
CORNICE; this signifies the third, and highest Part of the
_Entablature_, 113
CYCLOBION; this was a round Castle in the City, and some time a
Palace, 239
CYNEGION; this was the same Kind of Building with the _Theatrum
Venatorium_ in antient _Rome_, 244
D.
DELPHIC TRIPOS, 111
DENTILS, is a Member of the _Ionic Cornice_, Square, and cut out at
proper Distances, which gives it the Form of a Set of Teeth, 242
DICERATON; a Tax laid upon the People for Repairing the Walls of the
City, 68
DIGIT; this is a Measure somewhat short of an Inch, 104
DIVAN, it signifies the _Forum Judiciale_ of the _Turks_, 38
E.
EMERALD, of a large Size, 160
ENTABLATURE; this Word denotes the three Members of Architecture,
_viz._ the _Architrave_, _Frieze_, and _Cornice_, 113
EXACIONION; this was a Place, thro’ which there ran the Land-Wall of
the City, 218
EXAMMON _of_ HERACLIUS, or Ἐξάμον. This is a Word which is
_Greeciz’d_ from the Latin _Examen_, and signifies a Standard
Measure appointed by that Emperour, 141
F.
FACTIONS. These were Company of Chariot-racers. There were four
Companies of them at Old _Rome_. At _Constantinople_, (as far
as I have observ’d, or at least not mention’d by _Gyllius_) but
only One, which was called the _Prasine Faction_, because they
wore a _Green_ Livery. The Word _Prasine_ is deriv’d from Πράσον,
a _Leek_, 116, 117
FASCIAE. These are three _Bands_ in Architecture, of which the
_Architrave_ is compos’d, 242
FRIEZE. The round Part of the _Entablature_, which is between the
_Architrave_, and the _Cornice_, 253
Forum of _Arcadius_, 257
Of _Augustus_, 83
Of _Constantine_, 171
_Cupedinis_, 153
Of _Honorius_, 275
_Forum Pistorium_, 195
_Forum Prætorianum_, or the Court of Publick Justice, 170
_Forum_ in the _Taurus_, and the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_, 169
G.
GALATA, now called _Sycæ_ and _Pera_, its Situation, 264
GATES, of _Constantinople_, 70
GRAND-HETAERIARCH, Commander of the prime Auxiliary Band; for there
were two such Bands under the _Greek_ Emperors, the One called the
ἡ μεγάλη, the other ἡ μικρὰ ἑταιρεία i. e. the Greater and Lesser
Band of Auxiliaries. The Commander of the former was ὁ μεγάλης
ἑταιρείας Ἄρχων, or sometimes in one Word Μεγαλεταιρειάρχης, 230
See _Codinus_.
GYMNASIA, Places where they exercis’d themselves in Martial
Sports, 158
H.
HIPPOCUM, 290. This I take to be the same with the _Hyppodrom_.
HIPPODROM, the Place where they perform’d their Races of all
Kinds, 103
HOMER, his _Iliads_ and _Odysses_ inscrib’d, in Golden Characters, on
the Gut of a Dragon, 144
HOSPITAL of _Sampson_, and _Eubulus_, 100
HYPOTRACHELION, this is the most slender Part, or _Neck_ of the
Pillar, which touches the _Capital_, 263
I.
INTERCOLUMNIATION, the Distance of one Pillar from another, 147
L.
LABARUM, this Word signifies a longer piece of Wood, transvers’d near
the Top with a short Piece, upon which hangs the military Flag, 184
LAMPTERUM, a place in _Constantinople_ so called, because it was
Nightly Illuminated, 192
M.
MAGNAURA, a place in the Suburbs, 239
MAHOMET, took the City, 195
MANGANA, a Place of Arms; also a Monastery of that Name, 96
MEDAL, of _Belisarius_, 116
MILIARIUM AUREUM, this was a gilded Pillar, from whence they us’d to
adjust the Distances of Places from the City, 152
MODIUS, this generally signifies a Bushel according to English
Measure; but I am sensible, I had translated it more properly,
had I made it to signify no more than a Peck wanting half a Pint;
which is the _Grecian Modius_, 107
MODULES, these are certain Measures invented to regulate the whole
Building, 113
MONASTERY, of _Studius_, 259
MORION, a place so call’d, which ran round the _Hippodrom_, 123
MOSAIC WORK, A curious Piece of it, 87
O.
OBELISK, built of _Thebaic_ Marble, 103
Two more _Obelisks_, 104
OVOLO, or Egg, is that Member of Architecture, which is first plac’d
on the Top of _Ionic Capitals_, 113
P.
PACES, by this, the Author means the Ordinary Steps a Man takes in
Walking, which cannot be exactly reduced to the _Roman Pace_,
because they vary according to the different Ascents and Descents
of the Ground he walks, 65
PALACE of _Constantine_, 134
of the Grand _Seignor_, 37
of _Justinus_, 120
Other Palaces built by him, 121
Palace of _Maximinus_, 81
Palaces of _Sophia_, 121
PALLADIUM of _Minerva_, 117
Describ’d, 179
How Figur’d, 180
PEDESTAL; this is that Member of Architecture, that supports a
Column, having a Base and Cornice different, according to the
Difference of the several Orders of Building, 113
PHANARIUM, a Street in _Constantinople_, 236
PHARO, a Watch-Tower; set up as a Guide to Ships at a Distance, 96
PHILOXENON; this Word, by its Derivation from the _Greek_, signifies
a publick Place of Entertainment for Travellers, and Strangers.
The _Turks_ at present call these Places _Caravansera’s_, 161
PILLAR of _Arcadius_; this is the same Pillar, which is called the
Historical Pillar; and which is Represented among the Cuts which
I have added to this Book: It is therefore called the Historical
Pillar; because it Represents the Actions and Triumphs of that
Emperor. It is a plain Marble Column, 147 Foot in Height; work’d
in _Basso Relievo_, 250
See _Tournefort_.
PILLAR of MARCIAN; this Pillar is only mention’d by my Author;
but since his Time has been discover’d in a private Garden at
_Constantinople_, by Sir _G. Wheler_. The Pillar is made of
_Granate_, and is thought to have been the Urn, where that
Emperor’s Heart was buried, 256
See the same Author.
PILLARS; Of _Constantine_, 156
_Corinthian_, very large, 137
Pillars in the _Hippodrom_, 110, 111, 112
Of _Justinian_, 129
_Porphyry_ Pillar, 172
See also the Cuts.
Pillars in the _Senate-House_, 131
Of _Sophia_, 120
Of _Theodosius_, 129
Of _Valentinian_, 256
PLINTH; in Architecture it is taken for that square Member, which
makes the Foundation of the Base of the Pillar, 113
PORTICO’S; these were Buildings of curious work, added to publick
Structures whether Sacred or Civil.
PORTICO, Of the Church of the Apostles, 221
Imperial _Portico_, where sealed, 150
Other _Portico’s_, full of Statues, 151
_Portico_, called _Sigma_, 221
PRYTANEUM; this was a stately Building, where those who had deserv’d
well of the Government, were handsomely maintain’d at the publick
Charge. There was such a Structure at _Athens_, for the same
purpose, 169
PYRAMIDICAL Engine; its Use and Contrivance, 197
S.
SCOTIA; this is a Member of Architecture hollow’d, or fluted as a
Demi-Channel. It is particularly us’d in the _Bases_, where it is
plac’d between the _Tore_, and the _Astragals_, 113
SENATE-HOUSE; built by _Constantine_, 132
How adorn’d, 182
SERAGLIO, or the Imperial Palace; a Description of it, 37, 38, 39,
40, 41
Where situate, 51
Its Extent, 52
SHAFT of a Pillar is the Body of it, 111
STADIA; these were Places, in the Form of _Circo’s_, for running of
Men and Horses, 136
STATUES; Of _Apollo_, 176
Of _Arcadia_, and _Verina_, 79
Of _Arcadius_ and _Honorius_, 197
Of _Ariadne_, 139
Of _Arius_ and others, 154
Of _Byzas_ and _Phidalia_, 141
Of _Constantine_ the _Great_, 170
A Silver Statue of _Eudoxia Augusta_, 101
Two _Female Statues_, 186
Of the _Fortune_ of the City, 154
A gilded _Statue_, and that of _Justinian_, 141
Of _Helena_ and others, 138
Of _Hercules_, 142
_Statues_ in the _Hippodrom_, 108, 109, 110, 111
_Statue_ of old _Homer_ very fine, 78
Of _Justinian_, 127
_Statues_ in the _Lausus_, 159
Of _Leo_ the Emperour, 123
Of _Longinus_, 187
Of the _Muses_, 139
Of Princes, Poets, Historians, and Orators, 99
Of _Pulcheria_, 139
Of _Rhea_, 131
Of _Theodora_, 79
Of _Theodosius_, 125, 129
Of _Trajan_, _Theodosius_, _Valentinian_, _Gibbus_,
_Firmillianus_, and _Eutropius_, 142
Of _Zeno_, _Statues_ in the _Bagnio’s_ of _Zeuxippus_, 98
STATUES (mention’d in the _Appendix_) demolish’d by the _Romans_.
_Anemodes_, a _Woman_ plac’d on a _Pyramid_, and turning with the
Wind, 287
_Animals_; two large ones represented in Brass, 293
_Animals_; two less, 294
An _Ass_ and his _Driver_, 289
_Charioteers_; a Range of them, 293
An _Eagle_ in Brass, entwin’d by a _Serpent_, 290
An _Elephant_, 289
An _Equestrian Statue_ of a Man, 293
An _Equestrian Statue_ in the _Taurus_, 287
A _Helen_ very fine, 291
An _Hesperian Hercules_, 288
A _Horse_ wild, 289
A _Hyæna_, and a _Wolf_, _ibid._
A _Juno_ in Brass, 288
A _Man_ fighting with a _Lyon_, 289
_Neilôus_, a _Horse_, _ib._
Old _Scylla_, ibid.
_Sphinx’s_, ibid.
a _Woman_, a more modern _Statue_, 293
STRATEGIUM, a kind of a Parade, or Place where the Generals usually
pitched their Tents, and exercis’d their Men, 23
SYPARUM; the Flag of a Military Standard, 184
T.
TAURUS; a Street in _Constantinople_, 193
TEMPLES;
Of _Amphiaraus_, 274
Of _Apollo_, 120
Of _Bacchus_, 77
Of _Ceres_, 166
Of _Concord_, 120
Of _Diana Lucifera_, 274
Of _Ja_, 259
Of _Juno_, 190
Of _Jupiter_, 97
Of _Neptune_, 76
Of _Pluto_, 190
Of _Proserpina_, 166
Of the Sun and Moon, 208
Of _Tellus_, 166
Of _Venus Placida_, 274
TETRAPYLUM; a Description of it, 196
THEBAIC OBELISK, where fix’d, 103
Its Length, with a Description of it, 104, 105
Manner of Raising it, (See the Cuts) 106
THERMATION; a Place of Bathing, 255
TOMB of _Bajazet_, 194
describ’d, 200
_Tomb_ of _Constantine_, 221
Of _Mahomet_, 55
Of _Mahomet_, _Solyman_’s Son, 202
Of _Mauritius_, 248
Of _Selymus_, 59
TORE; this is the third Member of Architecture in the _Base_ of the
Column, which turns round it like a Ring, 113
TRABEATION, 113
See _Entablature_.
TRICLINIUM; this was a place of Publick Entertainment, and was many
Times a very sumptuous Building most beautifully adorn’d, 162
The great _Triclinium_ built by _Anastasius_, 246
The _Triclinium_ of _Magnaura_, 239
TRIPOS of _Apollo_; this _Tripos_ was set upon a brazen Pillar made
of three Serpents entwin’d, which was about fifteen Foot high,
according to _Tournefort_. See the Cut of the _Serpentine_
Pillar, 112
TURKS; their Way of building Pillars, 188
V.
VESTIBULE, or VESTIBULUM; a House of Entrance into a Church, or any
great Building, 133
VOLUTÆ. The Word signifies _wreath’d_, and is that Part of the
_Capitals_, of the _Ionic_, _Corinthian_, and _Composite_ Orders,
which is suppos’d to represent the Bark of Trees twisted, 119
W.
WALLS of _Constantinople_, 72
WALKS Imperial, 142
X.
XEROLOPHON; this Word signifies a _dry Unction_, and the Place was
call’d so, because whoever was anointed there never us’d to
bath, 259
_FINIS._
[Illustration: Page Decoration]
A
DESCRIPTION
Of the CITY of
CONSTANTINOPLE,
As it stood in the REIGNS of
ARCADIUS and HONORIUS.
Published from the
_Notitia Utriusque Imperii_.
WITH
PANCIROLUS’_s_ NOTES.
——_Vestigia retrò
Observata sequor._——
VIR. ÆN. II.
[Illustration: Page Decoration]
_LONDON_:
Printed in the Year MDCCXXIX.
[Illustration: Page Header Decoration]
A
DESCRIPTION
Of the WARDS of
CONSTANTINOPLE.
The first _Region_, or _Ward_.
_The first_ Ward _contains in it, the House of_ Placidia Augusta;
_the House of the most illustrious_ Marina; _the_ Bagnio’s _of_
Arcadius; _twenty nine Streets; an Hundred and eighteen large Houses;
two_ Portico’s _of a great Length; fifteen private_ Bagnio’s; _four
publick, and fifteen private Mills; and four_ Gradus. _It was governed
by one_ Curator, _who had under his Charge, the whole_ Ward. _There
was also one_ Vernaculus, _who was Messenger of the_ Ward, _was also
Assistant to him, and entirely at his Command. It had also twenty five_
Collegiati, _chosen out of the several Bodies of Tradesmen, whose
Office it was to direct and assist in Cases of Fire. There were also
five_ Vico-Magistri, _whose Business it was to watch the City by Night_.
* * * * *
Thus far my Author. I shall here add a Remark made by _Gyllius_, it
not being foreign to our Purpose, _viz._ That those whom _P. Victor_
and _S. Rufus_, believed to have been called the _Denunciatores_ in
antient _Rome_, here in new _Rome_, he calls _Vernaculi_. Neither of
them mention the _Collegiati_, tho’ all Historians take Notice of the
_Vico-Magistri_, who with more Propriety of the _Latin_ Tongue, should
rather have been called _Vicorum Magistri_, as appears, he tells us, by
an Inscription yet remaining in the Capitol of _Old Rome_, which is as
follows.
IMP. CAESARI DIVI.
TRAIANI PARTHICI FIL.
DIVI NERVAE NEPOTI.
TRAIANO HADRIANO.
AVG. PONTIF. MAXIMO.
TRIBVNIC. POTESTAT. XX.
IMP. II. CON. III. P.
MAGISTRI VICORVM XIIII.
NOTES.
_The first Ward._] ’Tis evident from _Pliny_, and also from _Tacitus_,
in that Part of his History, where he mentions the Burning of the City
by _Nero_, that antient _Rome_ was divided into fourteen _Regions_, or
_Wards_. _Sex. Rufus_, and _P. Victor_, who had pass’d the _Consular_
Dignity, have given us some short Descriptions of them. As to the
_Wards_ of _New Rome_, they are here described as I found them placed
before the _Notitia Utriusque Imperii_. _Constantinople_, which
was a kind of Representation of _Old Rome_, was likewise after her
Example, as _Justinian_ observes in his 43ᵈ _Novel_, divided into
fourteen _Wards_; and he calls them _Regions_ or _Wards_. There were
many Monuments of Antiquity carried thither from _Old Rome_, and
many new ones made there, which I could by no Means pass by, as the
Accounts of them may be necessary to the Knowledge of both Places. And
therefore to explain and illustrate them the more, I have subjoined
some _Annotations_ of my own; and have also taken Notice, as they
fell in my Way, of some Observations made in my _Comments_ on the
_Notitia_, _&c._ The Author of the _Description_ observes this Method.
The Churches, and other Matters which are most Material, he treats of
in the first Place, then he mentions what is less Important, in the
same Order, in every _Ward_; as the Streets, Houses, _Bagnio’s_, Mills,
the _Gradus_, then the _Curator_, _Vernaculus_, the _Collegiati_, and
last of all, the _Vico-Magistri_. In the thirteenth _Ward_, through
a Mistake, the Streets are omitted, which Error I have taken Care to
correct, as I have also another in the fourteenth _Ward_, where he has
left out the _Curator_, the _Vernaculus_, the _Collegiati_, and the
_Vico-Magistri_. He mentions only fourteen Churches, in seven _Wards_;
whereas at _Rome_, there was not a Street without some Temple or other,
and some had two. I shall make my _Annotations_ upon every Monument of
Antiquity, in the same _Ward_, and in the same Place, that I find it.
_The House of_ Placidia Augusta.] This Lady was the Daughter of
_Theodosius_ the _Great_, and Sister of _Arcadius_ and _Honorius_. When
_New Rome_ was taken by _Alaric_, King of the _Goths_ and _Vandals_,
he carried her away into Captivity, who afterward married his Kinsman
and Successor _Athaulfus_. Upon his Death, she was restored to her
Countrey, and being married again to _Constantius_, she had by him
two Sons, _Valentinian_ and _Honoriades_; as _Eutropius_, _Zonaras_,
_Cedrinus_, and other Historians tell us.
_The House of the most illustrious_ Marina.] _Marina_ was the Daughter
of _Arcadius_, who being honoured with the Title of the _Most
Illustrious_, as _Cedrinus_ writes, continued a Virgin. The Title of
the _Most Illustrious_, is discovered by an antient Inscription to
have been first given to _Valerianus_ the Younger, about the Year of
our Lord 260. Afterwards it was given to _Severinus_, and _Maximinus
Cæsar_, and at Length it was ascribed to Ladies of the highest
Birth. This sometimes entitled them to a Share in the Government;
for whosoever was dignified with this Character, was allowed to
wear a Purple Habit, laced round with Gold, and took Place of the
_Præfecti_, (the Mayors or Chief Magistrates of the City) as _Zosimus_
observes, who will have it, that this Honour was first instituted by
_Constantine_; tho’ ’tis very evident, that this Dignity was conferred
long before his Time.
_The Bagnio’s of_ Arcadius.] They were so called, because they were
built by him, as _Procopius_ writes in his 1st _Orat._ concerning
the Buildings of _Justinian_. As you sail, says he, out of the
_Propontis_, to the Eastern Coast, you see a Publick _Bagnio_, call’d
the _Arcadian Bagnio_, which is a great Ornament to the City. In this
Place _Justinian_ built a Court, which lies before the City, so near
to the Sea, that they who walk upon the Shore, may hold a Discourse
with any of the Ships Crew, as they sail by them. The Account I shall
give of the Curiosities of this Court, is as follows. The Court
it self is a very beautiful Building, and is fann’d with gentle
Breezes. ’Tis paved with delicate Marble, and adorned with stately
Pillars, which afford a delectable Prospect, even to a Brightness,
which seems to rival a Meridian Sun-shine. There are also many other
Curiosities which adorn this Court, some of which are Pieces of most
elegant Workmanship, both in Brass and Stone. Thus far _Procopius_.
The _Bagnio’s_ here mentioned are probably the same with those which
are called the _Xerolophus_, which _Cedrinus_ tells us were built by
_Arcadius_. The _Xerolophus_, says he, was built by _Arcadius_, the
Pillars of which are all like that Pillar, which _Theodosius_ erected
in the _Taurus_. _Socrates_ in his _Seventh_ Book, _Chap._ 1. attests,
that this Building stood in the _Forum_ of _Arcadius_. For speaking
of one _Sabbatius_ a Heretick, he says, that the People rais’d a Tax
to oppose _Sesonnicus_ their Bishop, in a Place of the City which
is called Ξηρόλοφος, in the _Forum_ of _Arcadius_. Thus _Socrates_.
This was certainly a Building which consisted of several Apartments,
which induces me to believe it was the _Bagnio’s_ here mentioned. For
_Nicephorus Gregoras_, in his _Seventh Book_, _Chap._ 1. writes, That
_Athanasius_, Patriarch of _Constantinople_, resided some Time in the
Apartments of the _Xerolophus_. The Word _Xerolophus_, says _Suidas_,
signifies a _Dry Unction_, and the Place was called so, because, when
any Body was anointed there, they never used to bath, and adds; That
this Place was formerly famous for Oracles, and that answers were given
to Enquiries there made, from a _Tripos_. There were also in the same
Place sixteen private Apartments, with Winding-Stairs. I have seen it
in an antient _Greek_ Author, that there were here twelve Buildings
with Winding-Stairs, as also the Columns of _Diana_, _Severus_,
_Marcianus_, and the Statues of _Valentinian_, and _Theodosius_ the
_Less_. _Justinian_ also quotes an Inscription there, taken out of
the _Fifth Book_ of _Xenophon_’s _Anabasis_. _Zonaras_ also writes,
that when _Leo Isaurus_ was Emperor of _Constantinople_, the Statue of
_Arcadius_, placed upon a Pillar in the _Xerolophus_, was thrown down
by an Earthquake. The _Bagnio’s_ here mentioned were called Publick, or
Imperial _Bagnio’s_; whereas those which were built by private Persons
were called _Thermæ_, or _Baths_.
_A Hundred and eighteen Houses._] I take the Word _Houses_ in this
Place, to signifie the Dwelling Houses of some of the principal Men
of the City, as the Great Mens Houses at _Rome_ were distinguished by
standing by themselves, and having no other Houses adjoining to them.
_Two_ Portico’s _of a great Length_.] These _Portico’s_, as at present,
were not joined to Houses, so as to seem a Part of them, but were
built separate from them, contrived for the Pleasure of Walking, and
refreshing the Mind. Hence it is, that _Strabo_, _Lib._ V. _de Geogra._
where he is describing the Parts of _Rome_, calls the _Portico_ of
_Livia_ the περίπατον, or Walk. _Pliny_ is of the same Opinion in his
_Fourth Book_, _Chap._ 1. _Strabo_ tells us in another Place, that the
_Cumani_ of _Æolis_ borrowed Money to build a _Portico_, and that when
they failed, as to the Time of Payment, the Person, who gave them
Credit, laid them under a Prohibition not to walk in it, but only
when it rained; and when the Cryer called aloud to them to enter the
_Portico_, it passed into a Proverb, _That the Cumani_ dared not to
enter their _Portico_ without the Leave of the Cryer. These are the
same Kind of _Portico’s_ which _Ulpian_ means, where he mentions the
_Portico’s_, which had no Houses adjoining to them. _Tacitus_, _Lib._
XV. speaking of the Burning of _Rome_ by _Nero_, takes Notice of these
Ambulatory _Portico’s_, when he tells us, that the _Portico’s_ which
were dedicated to Pleasure, were most of them destroyed by Fire. There
was a _Portico_ of this Sort at _Athens_, Part of which, as _Pliny_
records, _Lib._ XXXV. _Cap._ 3. was painted by _Myco_, who was paid
for it; and the other Part was finished _gratis_ by _Polygnotus_, an
eminent Painter. It was for this Reason, that ’twas call’d _Porticus
varia_, or ποικίλη. This is the same _Portico_ in which _Zeno_ taught,
and for which he was called the Father of the _Stoicks_. _Suidas_
says, that it was customary to adorn such _Portico’s_ with Silver and
Marble Statues, as appears by a Will mentioned by _Marcellus_, which
runs thus, _My Will and Pleasure is, that my Heir, at his own Expence,
build in my native Countrey a Publick_ Portico, _in which, I desire
my Silver and Marble Statues may be reposited_. I believe my Author
understands in this Clause of the Will, the same Kind of _Portico’s_
with those I now comment upon, which were of so considerable a
Length, that they reached from the Imperial Palace, to the _Forum_ of
_Constantine_. For _Procopius_ writes, in his _First Orat. de Ædif.
Justin._ That in the Reign of _Justinian_, the Church of St. _Sophia_,
and both the long _Portico’s_, stretching themselves as far as the
_Forum_ of _Constantine_, were burnt down. The same Fact is testified
by _Cedrinus_, who says, that both these _Portico’s_ were consumed by
Fire, in the Reign of _Basiliscus_, altho’ after these Casualities,
they were always rebuilt. I would observe, that every _Ward_ at
_Constantinople_ had in it some _Portico’s_, though some _Wards_ at
Rome had none.
_Four Gradus._] The Word, which is here called _Gradus_, signifies a
Tribunal, which was ascended by Marble Steps, to receive the Bread
which was to be distributed among the common People, and which, was
therefore called, _Panis Gradilis_. _Valentinian_ tells us, that the
carrying the _Panis Gradilis_ from one Tribunal to another, is
strictly forbidden. He also commands in _Cod. Theod._ that every one
receive the _Panis Gradilis_ from the Tribunal. From which Passages
it is plain, that this _Gradus_ was a famous Tribunal, from whence
they used to distribute Bread. For _Constantine_, as _Metaphrastes_
writes, bestowed every Day upon the Poor, eighty Thousand Loaves.
_Socrates_, _Lib._ II. _Cap._ 13. says expressly, that he gave Daily
eighty Thousand Bushels of Corn to the Poor; besides, as _Suidas_ adds,
Wine, and Flesh, and Oil. These were therefore _Gradus_, or Tribunals,
erected in this _Ward_ for that Purpose.
_It was governed by one_ Curator, _who had under his Charge the whole_
Ward.] The _Curators_ (who seem something like our Aldermen) were first
instituted by _Augustus_, and by _Suetonius_, _Cap._ XXX. are called
_Magistratus_. He divided, says he, meaning _Augustus_, the City into
Streets and _Wards_, and commanded that the _Wards_ should be governed
by a Magistrate, chosen by Lot yearly, and that the Streets should be
governed by a Master elected out of the common People. Afterwards, in
the Room of these, _Alexander Augustus_ appointed fourteen _Curators_.
_Lampridius_ tells us, that _Rome_ chose fourteen _Curators_, out of
the most eminent Citizens, and obliged them to assist the _Prefect_ of
the City, so that all, or most of them attended, when any Thing was
transacted for the good of the Publick. It was a principal Part of
their Business to decide Causes, and to take Care of Orphans, and the
Poor.
_There was also one_ Vernaculus _who was Messenger of the_ Ward, _he
assisted the_ Curator, _and was entirely at his Command_.] The
Business of this Officer was to be subservient to the _Curator_, and
give Notice to, and summon the Citizens to meet in all Matters, which
more immediately related to the _Ward_. Their Office was the same,
mentioned by _S. Rufus_, and _P. Victor_, who give them at _Old Rome_,
the Name of _Denunciatores_. Two of which were appointed to assist in
every _Ward_.
_It had also twenty five_ Collegiati, _chosen out of the several Bodies
of Tradesmen, whose Business it was, to direct and assist in Cases of
Fire_.] At _Rome_ the _Præfectus Vigilum_ commanded in Chief the seven
Companies of Freemen appointed for a constant Watch to the City. This
Office was instituted by _Augustus_, who placed a single Company over
two _Wards_, as is observed by _Suetonius_, and _Dion._ _Lib._ LV.
and by _Paullus_, _Lib. de Offi. præ. Vigil._ These Men were chosen
out of the several Bodies of the Tradesmen, whose Business was the
same with those at _Rome_; and were called _Collegiati._ The Number
of them was always stated, and unalterable so that when one of them
died, the _Prefect_ of the City filled up the Vacancy with one of his
own Body. _Honorius_ and _Theodosius_, in their _Letters Mandatory_
to _Æstius Prefect_ of the City, will and command, _That the Number
of five hundred sixty three be the standing Number of them, and that
no Person presume by any Authority whatsoever, to alter that Number;
so that it shall be lawful to you only, in the Presence of the Body
Corporate, when any Person is deceased, or otherways removed, to elect,
and nominate one to succeed him out of the same Body Corporate of
which he was a Member_: These _Collegiati_ are chosen out of thirty
five Corporations of Tradesmen, which are particularly specified in
a Letter sent by _Constantine_ to _Maximus_, and are discharged upon
their Election from all other Offices whatsoever. In this first _Ward_,
there were only twenty five of them, in others more or less, who made
up the Number a Hundred and sixty, or a Hundred and sixty three. To
complete the Number of which, as appears from the first Book of _Zeno
de Collegiat._ Thirty seven or forty, are wanting in the last _Ward_.
The Word _Collegiati_, in other Places, sometimes signifies the
_Deacons_ who buried the Dead; and sometimes it is taken for _Freemen_,
as in _Lib._ XLI. _Co. Theod. de Op. Pub._
_There were also five_ Vico-Magistri, _whose Business it was to watch
the City by Night_.] These were originally instituted by _Augustus_.
_Suetonius_, in the Life of _Augustus_, _Chap._ XXX. writes, that the
City was divided into Streets and _Wards_, and adds, that _Augustus_
commanded, that the Magistrates of the _Wards_ should be annually
chosen by Lot. The Streets were governed by the _Vico-Magistri_, who
were elected out of the Commons, in the Neighbourhood of the Streets,
over which they presided; so that as those who governed the _Wards_
were called _Curatores_, so they who governed the Streets were called
_Vico-Magistri_. ’Tis very probable, that these Magistrates had some
Soldiers under their Command to prevent Robberies, and other Outrages
committed in the Night, as _Old Rome_ had its _Vigils_, or Watchmen,
who were all Soldiers. There were two, three, or four _Vico-Magistri_
appointed over every Street at _Rome_: At _Constantinople_ every _Ward_
had but five, so that the whole Number of them is Seventy; although
my Author in his _Summary View of the City_, which follows hereafter,
reckons no more than sixty five.
The Second _Ward_.
_The second_ Ward, _after an easy, and almost imperceptible Ascent
above its Level from the lesser Theatre, falls with a deep Precipice
down to the Sea. This_ Ward _contains in it, the Great Church of St._
Sophia; _the Old Church; the Senate-House; a Tribunal with_ Porphyry
_Steps; the_ Bagnio’s _of_ Zeuxippus; _a Theatre; an Amphitheatre;
thirty four Streets; ninety eight large Houses; four great_ Portico’s;
_thirteen private Baths; four private Mills, and four_ Gradus. _It has
also one_ Curator, _one_ Vernaculus, _thirty five_ Collegiati, _and
five_ Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The great Church of St._ Sophia.] This Church, some say, was built by
_Constantine_, others by _Constantius_. It was afterwards burnt down,
and rebuilt by _Justinian_, and was then look’d upon as the finest and
most beautiful Church in the whole World. _Periander_, and others,
whose Works are still extant, have described at large the Delicacy
and Magnificence of this wonderful Piece of Architecture. _Evagrius_
writes, that this Church measured in Length a Hundred and ninety Foot,
in Breadth a Hundred and fifteen; and that from the Pavement to the Top
of the _Cupola_, it was an Hundred and eighty Foot high.
_The Old Church._] I suppose the Author here means one of those
Churches which were built by _Constantine_, some of which are mentioned
by _Procopius_, in _Lib. de Ædif. Justinian._
_The Senate-House._] In this Place they held their Senate, which, as
_Sozomen_ affirms, was built by _Constantine_ the _Great_, where he
commanded the same yearly Solemnity to be celebrated on the _Calends_
of _Jan._ as was done at _Rome_. It was burnt down, upon a Sedition
occasioned by an Attempt to banish St. _Chrysostom_ out of the City,
and was rebuilt, as _Procopius_ tells us, with greater Splendor.
_A Tribunal with_ Porphyry _Steps_.] This Tribunal was made of
_Porphyry_ Marble, which Word in _Latin_, signifies _Purple_, because
_Porphyry_ Marble is of a _Purple_ Colour.
_The_ Bagnio’s _of_ Zeuxippus.] These _Bagnio’s_ were famous for a
_Portico_, which run round the Houses and Shops adjoining to them.
There was a yearly Revenue assigned for lighting the Lamps of this
_Bagnio_, and repairing them. _Theodosius_ in _Lib. de Op. Pub._
writes thus; _Because there are many Houses and Shops adjoining the_
Portico’s _of_ Zeuxippus, _we will and command, that the yearly
Income of the said Houses and Shops, without any Pretence or Excuse
to the contrary, be paid into our Imperial_ Bagnio, _for purchasing
Lights, and for the Repairs of the said_ Bagnio’s. This Passage is
part of a Letter which he wrote to _Severinus_, _Prefect_ of the
City, (not _Prætor_) as it stands in the _Codex Theodos. de Op. Pub._
These _Bagnio’s_ formerly stood near the Imperial Palace, and were
afterwards called the _Bagnio’s_ of the _Numeri_, as _Nicephorus_
writes, _Lib._ IX. _Cap._ 9. _Sozomen_ and _Socrates_ take Notice of
the same _Bagnio’s_. I believe they were first built by _Zeuxippus_,
who persecuted the _Christians_ at _Byzantium_, much about the
Time of _Nero_; and who among other of his Severities, forced St.
_Andrew_ to fly to _Argyropolis_. If I mistake not, he was at that
Time Lieutenant of _Macedonia_ and _Thrace_. These _Bagnio’s_ were
enlarged and beautified by _Severus_ the Emperor, for which Reason
they were afterwards called the _Bagnio’s_ of _Severus_. After this
they were called _Balnea Numerorum_, because great Numbers of Soldiers
use to bath there. _Zosimus_, in his second Book writes, that these
_Bagnio’s_ formerly stood in a _Peninsula_. In antient Times, says
he, _Constantinople_ had a Port at the End of the _Bagnio’s_, which
were built by _Severus_ the Emperor, when he was reconciled to the
_Byzantians_, for opening the Gates of the City to _Niger_, his Enemy.
_Suidas_ says, that a Poet named _Christodorus_, celebrated the
Statues and Images of _Zeuxippus_ in Verse, among which he is very
particular in the Praises of the Statue of _Hesiod_. _Procopius_, in
his First Book, _de Ædif. Justinian._ tells us, that these _Bagnio’s_
were rebuilt by _Justinian_, but were called the _Zeuxippum_, because
in this Place they used to run their _Horses in Pairs_, as the Word
_Zeuxippus_ signifies in the _Greek_. St. _Gregory Nazianzen_ takes
Notice of them in his Oration to the _Arians_, and in another which
he made _concerning himself_. I am not, says he, taking a Journey to a
new _Jerusalem_, that is to the _Zeuxippum_; for that Place was laid
in Ashes in the Reign of _Justinian_. The _Bagnio’s_ of _Severus_, as
_Cedrinus_ relates, which were call’d the _Zeuxippum_, were consumed
by Fire. In this Place was a very delightful Variety of Prospects. All
the ingenious Contrivances of Art were here expressed in Marble and
Stone, and the most elaborate Workmanship of Antiquity. In short, the
Designs here were so matchless and inimitable, that they seemed to want
nothing but a Soul to animate, and inform them. Among other surprizing
Pieces of antient Skill, was the Statue of old _Homer_. The Figure was
finished very naturally, and in his Looks might be observed a great
Thoughtfulness, with a Mixture of much Uneasiness and Trouble. This
Place was also beautified with brazen Pillars, which had been here set
up in Honour of those great Personages, who had been renowned for their
Learning or Virtue, through the whole World.
_An Amphitheatre._] This stands near the Sea Shore. You must pass by
it, as you go to the Imperial Palace, and the Port of _Julian_, between
which Places there were formerly Lime Kilns, which were commanded to be
filled up by _Theodosius_ the _Less_, as the Reader may see in _Lib.
ult. Cod. Theod._ _We will and command_, says he, _that all Lime-kilns,
standing on any Ground, between the Sea Shore, the Amphitheatre, and
the Port of St._ Julian, _be entirely demolished, for the Benefit and
Health of our most great and magnificent City_, and _by Reason of the
Nearness they stand to our Imperial Palace; and we do hereby prohibit
all Persons whatsoever for the future, to burn any Lime in those
Places_.
The Third _Ward_.
_The third_ Ward, _at the Entrance of it, is a Level Ground, and
stands, in Part, where the_ Circus _is built; but descends, at the
End of it, with a very great Declivity down to the Sea, and contains,
the same_ Circus Maximus; _the House of_ Pulcheria Augusta; _the new
Port; a_ Portico _of a Semi-circular Figure, made after the Likeness
of the_ Greek _Letter_ Sigma, _which was formerly wrote thus_, C; _the
Tribunal of the_ Forum _of_ Constantine; _seven Streets; ninety four
great Houses; five large_ Portico’s; _eleven private_ Bagnio’s; _and
nine private Mills. It had one_ Curator, _one_ Vernaculus, _twenty one_
Collegiati, _and five_ Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The House of_ Pulcheria Augusta.] This Lady was the Sister of
_Theodosius_ the _Less_, who continued for some Time unmarried. When
her Brother was dead, she married _Martian_, and made him Emperor.
_Zonaras_, _Cedrinus_, _Zosimus_, _Nicephorus_, and other Historians
have mentioned many Things of her. She had also another House in the
eleventh _Ward_.
_The New Port._] This probably is the same Port that was built by
_Julian_ the Apostate. There was another Port in the sixth _Ward_
called _Portus Neorius_, because there was a Dock there for building
Ships.
_A_ Portico _of a Semi-circular Figure_.] The _Greek_ Letter Σ, as ’tis
now wrote, was formerly wrote C. _Zonaras_ and _Cedrinus_ often take
Notice of this _Portico_.
The Fourth _Ward_.
_The fourth_ Ward _extends itself in a long Vale, the Hills rising
on the Right and Left from the_ Miliarium Aureum _through a Vale,
to a plain level Ground. It contains, the_ Miliarium Aureum; _the_
Augusteum; _a_ Basilica; _a_ Nympheum; _the_ Portico _of_ Phanio; _a
Marble Galley, the Monument of a naval Victory; the Church of St._
Menna; _a_ Stadium; _The Stairs of_ Timasius; _thirty two Streets;
three hundred and seventy five great Houses; four large_ Portico’s;
_seven private Baths; five private Mills; and seven_ Gradus. _It
is presided by one_ Curator, _assisted by one_ Vernaculus, _forty_
Collegiati, _and five_ Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The_ Miliarium Aureum.] _Cedrinus_, speaking of the _Miliarium
Aureum_, writes thus: Under the Roof of the _Miliarium Aureum_ were
placed the Statues of _Constantine_ the _Great_, and his Mother, with
a Cross between them. Behind him stands _Trajan_, and near his Mother
is the Statue of _Ælius Hadrianus_ on Horseback. There is a Clock
here, which was set up by _Justinian_. There was also a _Miliarium
Aureum_ at _Rome_, erected in the _Forum_ by _Augustus_, from whence
they used to adjust the Distances of Places, and the Mensuration
of Miles, all the Roads of _Italy_ meeting at the Foot of it, as
’tis observed by _Plutarch_, _Dion_, _P. Victor_, and others. Yet
_Æmilius Macer_ is of another Opinion. A Mile, says he, is not to be
computed from the _Miliarium_, but from the Houses, upon the Skirts
of the City, to the Place to which you measure. As then there was a
_Miliarium Aureum_ at _Rome_, so there was at _Constantinople_, which
imitated _Old Rome_ as near as it could; tho’ at _Rome_ it was built
in the Figure of a Pillar, at _Constantinople_ it was another kind of
Building, as is evident from what is above-mentioned by _Cedrinus_;
and is also attested by _Suidas_, who writes, that under the Roof of
the _Miliarium_, stood the Cross, the Figures of _Constantine_ and
_Helena_, the Image of _Fortune_, and many other Statues. He calls it
not the _Miliarium_, but the _Milium_.
_The_ Augusteum.] This was a large Pillar of Brass, erected by
_Justinian_, as _Cedrinus_ relates, who tells us, that in the fifteenth
Year of the Reign of _Justinian_, was finished the great brazen
Pillar, which is called the _Augusteum_. Upon it was placed the Statue
of _Justinian_ on Horseback, holding in his Right Hand an Apple, in
Imitation of a Globe, to signify that the whole World was subject to
his Government. He sat with his Right Hand stretched out, pointing to
the _Persians_ to stand off, and not to approach his Dominions. All the
Coverings of the Passage of Entrance into the Imperial Palace, were
made of gilded Brass. This is still called the Brazen Passage, as the
Pillar is call’d the _Augusteum_. _Procopius_ speaks largely of it in
his Oration _de Ædif. Justin._ where he writes, that not the Pillar,
but the Place where the Pillar stood, was called the _Augusteum_, as
it was also the _Macellum_. The principal Pillar, says he, is to be
admired for its Size, yet is it no regular and uniform Structure, but
made of Stones of a vast Compass. The Pedestal and Top of it is covered
with the most refined Brass, which by cramping its Stones together,
does at the same Time both strengthen and adorn it. The Brass, as to
its Lustre, is not much inferior to pure Gold, and at least of equal
Worth and Beauty with the finest Silver. At the Top of this Pillar was
placed a very large Horse cast in Brass, facing the East, wonderful
in his Kind, in a walking Posture, with his Head bending downwards,
lifting up his near Fore-Foot, as though he would paw the Ground.
His Off-Foot is fixed to the Pedestal, on which he stands; and his
Hind-Feet are so closely contracted, as if he was rising upon his
Speed. Upon him sits the Statue of the Emperor in Brass, whom they call
_Achilles_, because he is somewhat like him. He has no Boots, but his
Feet are bound round with a kind of Sandals. He is armed with a radiant
Breast-plate and Head-piece, and looks, you would fancy, as if he were
marching, in a war-like Posture, against the _Persians_. In his left
Hand he bears a Globe, by which ’tis signified, that the Earth and the
Sea is subject to his Power. He is not equipped either with Sword nor
Spear. There’s a Cross fixed upon the Globe, intimating, that under its
auspicious Influence, he arrived to the Imperial Dignity; and that all
Success in War is to be attributed to the Omnipotency of the Saviour
of Mankind. His Right Hand, which is open, is stretched Eastward, and
seems to forbid the barbarous Nations to approach his Territories.
Below this Place, stands the _Forum_ called _Augustum_. This _Forum_
stands before the Imperial Palace; ’tis surrounded with Pillars, and
the Inhabitants call it _Augustum_. Eastward from hence stands the
_Curia_, or _Prætorium_, which was built by _Justinian_, where the
old _Romans_, in the Beginning of the new Year used, as _Suidas_
observes, to perform a solemn Festival. _Phavorinus_ relates, that the
Flesh-Market was the same with the _Augusteum_. It was so called, says
_Suidas_, because the _Curatores_, and _Senastophori_ of the _Wards_,
used every Year, on the _Ides_ of _October_, to dance in Honour of
_Augustus_, or because the Statues of _Constantine_, and _Helena_ his
Mother, were erected there.
_A_ Basilica.] This was one of the most magnificent _Basilica’s_ in
the World, which _Cedrinus_ takes Notice of, when he tells us, that a
Fire began at the Middle of the _Chalcopratia_, which consumed both
the _Portico’s_ before mentioned, all the neighbouring Buildings, and
the _Basilica_, which contained a Collection of a Hundred and twenty
Thousand Books. There was a Curiosity very particular in this Library,
which was the Gut of a Dragon, on which were inscribed in Golden
Characters, the _Iliads_ and _Odysses_ of _Homer_, with the _History_
of the Atchievements of other _Heroes_. The Roof of this _Basilica_ was
supported with many Ranges of Pillars, as we see at present in some
Churches, which are many of them built after the same Manner with the
_Basilica’s_. One of these _Basilica’s_ is described by _Virgil_, in
his seventh _Æneid_.
_A stately Palace in the City’s Height,
Sublime upon a hundred Pillars stood,
With gloomy Groves, religiously obscure_,
Laurentian Picus’ _Palace; where the Kings,
The first Inauguration of their Sway,
The Sceptres, and the regal_ Fasces _took_.
TRAPP’S Virg.
In these _Basilica’s_ they used to plead, and admit to Audience publick
Ambassadors; and, indeed, most of the publick Affairs were transacted
here. This I am speaking of was finely gilded, and made of a delicate
Marble. _Theodosius_, in his Letters Mandatory to _Cyrus_, _Prefect_
of the City, means this _Basilica_, in the following Words: _We will
and command, that the_ Basilica _gilt with Gold, and shining with
Marble, be no Ways shaded or darkened with Statues, or Pictures placed
before it_. I believe _Zonaras_ understands the same Building in his
_Leo Magnus_, where he says, that the Building called the _Domus
Maxima_, in which the Senate, and some of the principal Citizens met
to deliberate upon publick Affairs, was burnt down; nay, that the
Emperor himself came thither in solemn Pomp, when he entered upon his
Consular Dignity. It was a Work of surprising Beauty and Splendor.
_Justinian_ tells us in his 81st _Novel_, that the inferior Judges used
to sit there in small Apartments. _Suidas_ writes, that this _Basilica_
stood behind the _Miliarium_, and that there was placed in it, amidst
several others, a golden Statue. Among other Curiosities here, there
is an Elephant, cast at the Expence of _Severus_, on the Account of a
certain Banker, who killed his Keeper, and gave his Body to be devoured
by a wild Beast; which the Elephant seeing, in a Rage slew the Banker.
_Severus_, to preserve the Memory of the Fact, ordered the Elephant and
his Keeper to be cast in Brass, and both the Figures, in the Consulship
of _Julian_, were carried to _Constantinople_, and placed in the
_Basilica_.
_A_ Nympheum.] This, as _Zonaras_ and _Cedrinus_ tell us, was a
spacious Building, in which they used to celebrate Marriage, when they
had not Houses large enough for that Purpose. _Suidas_ mentions, that
in the _Forum_ of this _Ward_, there was a Spring continually running,
which filled the _Bagnio_ of the _Nympheum_. _Theodosius_, in another
Letter to _Cyrus_ above-mentioned, writes thus. _I command you, by
Virtue of your prefectorial Authority, to appoint, as you shall judge
convenient, what Share of Water be allotted to our Imperial_ Bagnio’s,
_and what Quantity may be sufficient for the_ Bagnio’s _of the_
Nympheum.
_The_ Portico _of_ Phanio.] _Suidas_ tells us, that _Phanio_ is a
Place where they carried the Filth of the City. This, probably, is
the same _Portico_, which the Emperor _Zeno_ tells us, reached from
the _Miliarium_, as far as the _Capitol_, and is supported with four
Ranges of Pillars, between which he allows, in his _Cod. de Priv.
Ædif._ a Privilege to build little Shops.
_A Marble Galley._] This was set up in Memory of a Victory, which
_Zosimus_, in his fifth Book tells us, _Trajutus_, Admiral of
_Arcadius_’s Fleet, obtain’d over _Gaina_, near _Chersonesus_.
_The Church of St._ Menna.] This Person was an _Egyptian Soldier_, who
suffer’d Martyrdom under _Dioclesian_, in _Phrygia_: This Church was
built by _Constantine_, who, as _Eusebius_ reports in _his Life, Book_
III. _Chap._ 4. built also other Churches in honour of the _Martyrs_.
_A_ Stadium.] This was a square _Area_, design’d, as _Suidas_
observes, for Martial Exercises. The _Grecians_ generally made them
two hundred Foot long, and sometimes more. This _Area_ was surrounded
with a _Portico_, and Pillars. The _Grecians_ used them sometimes in
Merriment, and Dancing, and sometimes in more manly Diversions, as
Wrestling, fighting at Gauntlets, _&c._ The _Portico_, on the South
Side of it, was double Wall’d, to secure it from the Violence of the
Northern Storms. In the _Stadium_, stood an _Ephebeum_, with Seats all
round it, where they held publick Disputations in Philosophy, and where
Youth was train’d up in Literature, and Science. In ancient Times, when
Books were scarce, they used to improve themselves by Dispute, and
Argumentation. On each Side of the _Ephebeum_, there were _Bagnio’s_,
in which the Combatants anointed themselves, before they enter’d the
Lifts. The _Stadium_ fac’d the Sea, as _Procopius_ observes in his
Book _de Ædif Justin._ In a Place, says he, near the Sea, at present
call’d the _Stadium_, (a Place formerly appropriated to Games, and
Martial Exercises) _Justinian_, and his Consort _Theodora_, built some
large Hospitals.
_The Stairs of_ Timasius.] These were three Steps, at the Foot of a
Hill, leading down to the Sea, which were built by _Timasius_. ’Tis
very probable, that they were made of Marble, and were something
remarkable, because my Author takes Notice of them. There was Custom
paid at these Stairs, for the Repairs of the City _Aqueduct_; as
appears from the _Cod. Theod. Aquæduc._ _We will_, says he, _that all
the Customs, which are, or may be collected at the Stairs of this our
City of_ Constantinople, _be expended in the Repairs of the common
Aque-duct_. I am of Opinion, that this Custom was payable by such Ships
as unladed their Freight there. _Justinian_ in his 159ᵗʰ _Novel_ takes
notice of a Clause in the Codicil of the Will of _Hierius_, where he
bequeaths to his Kinsman _Hierius_ the Suburbs _Coparium_, with all
the Stairs thereunto belonging. _Cedrinus_ writes, That in the Reign
of _Copronymus_ the Emperor, the Sea was froze by the Severity of the
Weather, and that upon a sudden Thaw, a large Cake of Ice bore against,
and demolish’d the Stairs of the Imperial Palace at _Constantinople_.
_Timasius_, who built these Stairs, was General of the Infantry to
_Theodosius_ the _Great_, and was train’d up in the Art of War from the
Time of _Valens_ the Emperor. At last being falsely, and injuriously
accused by _Eutropius_, the Chamberlain of _Arcadius_, he was banish’d
into _Oasis_. _Zosimus_, speaking of him in his _fifth Book_, says,
that he was the Father of _Syagrius_, who was entitled _Pater Patriæ_.
The Fifth _Ward_.
_The fifth_ Ward, _a great Part of it is full of Windings, and
Turnings, and is lengthen’d by an adjoining Plain. There are many
useful Buildings in this_ Ward, _which contains the_ Bagnio’s _of_
Honorius; _the Cistern of_ Theodosius; _the_ Prytaneum; _the_ Bagnio’s
_of_ Eudocia; _the_ Strategium, _in which stands the_ Forum _of_
Theodosius, _and the_ Thebean Obelisk; _the Store-houses for Oil; a_
Nympheum; _the Granaries of_ Troas; _the Granaries of_ Valens, _and_
Constantius: _It contains also the_ Prosphorian _Port; the_ Stairs
_of_ Chalcedon; _twenty three Streets; a hundred and eighty four
great Houses; seven large_ Portico’s; _eleven private Baths; seven
publick, and two private Mills; nine_ Gradus, _and two Flesh-Markets:
It had one_ Curator, _one_ Vernaculus, _forty_ Collegiati, _and five_
Vice-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The Cistern of_ Theodosius.] This Cistern was a subterraneous Cavern,
arched at top, which was supply’d, not with Spring, but with Rain Water
only. _Petrus Gyllius_ in his _Antiquities_ of _Constantinople_, tells
us, that when he resided at that City, he discover’d a subterraneous
Cistern there; which he shewed to the Proprietors of the Land where it
was, who, before, were intirely ignorant of it. It was, says he, 336
Foot in length, 182 Foot broad, and 224 in compass. The Roof of it was
supported with Marble Pillars, placed at twelve Foot distance from each
other. Every Pillar was near nine Foot high. They stand, lengthways,
in twelve Ranges; broad-ways, in twenty eight. In Winter-time, when
the _Aque-duct_ pours itself with more Violence into it, it fills up
to the Middle of the Capitals of the Columns. It has sometimes Fish in
it, which the Master, who overlooks it, skiffing about in a small Boat,
kills with a Spear.
_A_ Prytaneum.] There was at _Athens_ a Tower call’d the _Prytaneum_,
where their Senators, and wise Men met upon publick Affairs, and where
Persons, who deserv’d well of the Commonwealth, were maintain’d at the
Publick Charge, as ’tis observ’d by _Cicero_, _Lib. primo de Orat._ In
Conformity to _Athens_, there was also at _Constantinople_ a spacious
Building, near the Imperial Cistern, where a Person, eminent in Wisdom
and Learning, instructed twelve young Men in such Arts and Sciences,
as might qualify them to be serviceable to the Publick. _Cedrinus_ in
his History of _Leo Isaurus_, writes, that, near the Royal Cistern,
there was a venerable Pyle of Building, over which there presided
a Master, who had under him, according to ancient Custom, twelve
Scholars, of sober Life, and a good Share of Learning. These, when
they had run through the whole Compass of human Literature, apply’d
themselves very diligently to the Study of Divinity, and were had in
so high Estimation, that the Emperors themselves look’d upon it as an
Injury to their Character, to transact any thing of Importance, without
their Advice. This Institution was afterwards suppress’d by _Leo_.
_Zonaras_ is more express, and large upon this Occasion; there was,
says he, a House in the _Basilica_, near the _Forum Ærarium_, large
enough for a Palace, in which were reported many ancient _Manuscripts_
of Human, and Divine Learning, and where a sufficient Maintenance was
allow’d for a Person of distinguish’d Knowledge whom they call’d the
_Oecumenical Doctor_. He had under him twelve _Fellows_, who lived at
the publick Cost, and instructed such as desired to be their Pupils.
The Emperors also, concludes he, consulted them in the most arduous
Affairs of State. But _Leo_ the Emperor, when he could not prevail
with them to declare themselves the same profess’d Enemies to Images,
in Church-worship, with himself, destroy’d them, and their Library,
in the Night by Fire. As therefore it was customary in other Nations
to maintain at the common Charge Persons who might prove useful to
the Publick, so was it here; and therefore, I conceive, that as the
_Prytaneum_ at _Constantinople_ took its Name from that of _Athens_, so
was it originally instituted for Purposes, much of the same Nature.
_The_ Bagnio’s _of_ Eudocia.] These _Bagnio’s_ were so call’d, because
they were built by _Eudocia_ the Wife of _Theodosius_ the _Less_.
Before she was converted to the Christian Faith, she was called
_Athenais_. _Zonaras_, _Nicephorus_, and others have wrote much
concerning her. She had some Houses in the tenth _Ward_; where I shall
speak more of her.
_The_ Strategium.] This, I look upon, to be the Place, where the
General’s Troops liv’d, and pitch’d their Tents. Here was the _Forum_
of _Theodosius_, and the _Thebean Obelisk_ which was brought from
_Thebes_ in _Ægypt_ to _Constantinople_, and there squat’d.
_The Granaries of_ Troas.] These Granaries contain’d the Corn, and
other Commodities which were brought from _Troas_; as those Granaries
were call’d the Granaries of _Alexandria_, in which the Corn was laid
up, that was brought from _Alexandria_. _Troas_ is a Countrey of
_Phrygia_, situate near the _Hellespont_, not far from _Constantinople_.
_The Granary of_ Valens.] This was built by _Valens_. It is probably
the same Granary, in which was placed the Statue of _Manaim_, who
march’d his Army against the _Scythians_. There was kept here a brazen
Bushel, which was the common Standard, by which Corn was bought, and
sold. _Valens_ commanded that twelve Bushels of Wheat should be sold at
the Price of an _Aureus_, (in _English_ Coin 17_s._ 1_d._ _ob. qua._)
and commanded a Sailor’s Hand to be cut off, who had eluded the Force
of that Law by Tricks, and Evasions, and in Memory of the Fact, order’d
a Brazen Hand to be hung up in the Granary.
They had also at _Constantinople_ Store-houses where they reposited
their Gold, and Silver, and Jewels. For _Paulus_ a Lawyer informs us,
that ’twas customary to lay up in Store-houses the most valuable Part
of their Estates. _Lampridius_ also mentions some Store-houses built
by _Alexander_, where private Persons, who had no Conveniency in their
own Houses, used to lay up their Gold, their Silver, their Jewels, and
their Corn, and that the Masters of the Store-houses were obliged to
keep them safe at their Peril.
_The_ Prosphorian _Port_.] Here they used to unlade all kinds of
Provisions; for the Word προσφορὸν in the _Greek_ signifies any thing
that is brought to Market.
_The Stairs of_ Chalcedon.] These were a convenient Descent by Steps,
where they went on Board, when they sail’d for _Chalcedon_, which lay
over against _Constantinople_.
_Two Flesh-Markets._] All kind of Provisions were sold here.
The Sixth _Ward_.
_The sixth_ Ward, _upon the Entrance of it, is a short Piece of level
Ground, all the rest is upon the Descent; for it extends itself
from the_ Forum _of_ Constantine _to the Stairs, where you ferry over
to_ Sycæna. _It contains the_ Porphyry _Pillar of_ Constantine; _the
Senate-house in the same Place; the_ Neorian _Port; the Stairs of_
Sycæna; _twenty two Streets; four hundred and eighty four great Houses;
one large_ Portico; _nine private Baths; one publick, and seventeen
private Mills; it has also one_ Curator, _one_ Vernaculus; _forty nine_
Collegiati, _and five_ Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The_ Porphyry _Pillar of_ Constantine.] This Pillar stood in the
_Forum_ of _Constantine_, which was pav’d with square Stones.
_Zonaras_, speaking of _Nicephorus Phocas_ the Emperor, has this
Passage: The People curse _Nicephorus_ even to the pav’d _Forum_, in
which is erected the round _Porphyry_ Pillar. _Cedrinus_ in his History
tells us, that _Constantine_ in the twenty fourth Year of his Reign,
built a _Forum_ with two _Rostrums_, or Pleading Desks made in the
form of Pulpits, and that he plac’d in the _Forum_, a Pillar which
he brought from _Rome_. It was one solid Piece of _Porphyry_ Marble,
and was bound with three _Fasciæ_, or Wreaths of Brass round it, with
Inscriptions upon them. On the Top of it he erected his own Statue,
with this Inscription, _CONSTANTINUS_. It blazed like the Sun, was
made by the famous _Phidias_, and was brought from _Athens_. Upon the
Pedestal of the Pillar were carved in _Basso Relievo_, the seven and
twelve Baskets of Fragments, which were taken up in the Miracles of the
_Loaves_ and _Fishes_, and beneath were inscribed the following Verses.
_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 the mighty Force and Pow’r of_ Rome.
_Let thy good Providence with watchful Eye
Look down, and guard the City from all Ills._
_Zonaras_ mentions the same Thing, tho’ in different Words. He placed,
says he, meaning _Constantine_, the round _Porphyry_ Pillar which he
brought from _Rome_, in the _Forum_, paved with square Stones. For
this Reason it was called by the _Greeks_ Πλακότον. At the Top of the
Pillar he placed his own Statue in Brass, which for its Largeness,
and the Exquisiteness of its Work, was scarce to be matched in the
whole World, as being finished to the Life, by an antient and eminent
Statuary. It was thought that it was originally designed for _Apollo_,
and brought from _Troy_; but _Constantine_ gave it his own Name,
making some Alteration by fattening some of those Nails in the Head of
it, with which the _Jews_ crucified the _Lord of Life_. This Statue
continued standing upon the Pillar till very lately, when in the Reign
of _Alexius Comnenus_, it was thrown down by an Earthquake, and crushed
some People to Death. _Nicephorus_ in the Fourth Book, _Chap._ 8. of
his _Eccles. Hist._ gives a better Description of it. He built, says
he, a large _Porphyry_ Pillar, upon which he placed his own Statue,
holding in his right Hand a Globe, with a Cross fixed upon it. By this
Symbol he intimated, that by Virtue of that invincible Trophy the
Cross, the whole Earth and Sea was subject to his Power. _Gyllius_
writes, that this Pillar was made of eight Stones, and that at the
Joints of it, it was covered round with Wreathed Laurels made of Brass,
so that you could not perceive where it was cemented; but that upon
the Removal of the Brass-work, you might easily discern that it was a
jointed Structure, and that the Number of the Stones might be plainly
seen. This Pillar is eighty six Foot high, besides the _Basis_, the
Steps, and the Pedestal.
_The Senate-House, in the same Place._] This Building stood on the
North Side of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. The Senators and principal
Men of the City used to assemble here upon publick Affairs, and
the Emperor took upon him in this Place the Consular Habit. It was
curiously beautified with Brass, and _Porphyry_ Marble. _Zonaras_, and
_Cedrinus_ tell us, that in the Reign of _Leo_ the _Great_, it was
destroyed by Fire.
_The_ Neorian _Port_.] This was the Haven, or Dock, where they built
their shipping, from whence the Gate, which hands near it, is called
by some Writers, the Gate of the _Neorium_; but by _Zonaras_, and
_Cedrinus_, as will appear in my Notes upon the twelfth _Ward_, it was
called _Porta Aurea_, the gilded or beautiful Gate. Some have given it
the Name of the Imperial Gate, because it joins to the Palace.
_The Stairs_ of Sycæna.] These are the Stairs upon the Shore, from
whence you go off to a neighbouring Island called _Sycæna_ but which at
present is called _Pera_. In the Creek here, there are many Thousand
small Boats, more in Number than at _Venice_. They are generally called
Ferry-boats, because they _carry_ their Fare to and fro’ across the
River.
_One large_ Portico.] This _Portico_ reached as far as the _Forum_ of
_Constantine_, and was burnt down in a tumultuous Manner, in the Reign
of _Justinian_.
The Seventh _Ward_.
_The seventh_ Ward, _if compared with the former, lies more upon the
Level, although at the Extremity on one Side of it, it falls with a
greater Declivity into the Sea. It stretches its 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 another Side of it as far
as the Sea, by_ Portico’s _extended in the same Manner. It contains
in it three Churches, that of St._ Irene; _St._ Anastasia, _and St._
Paul; _the Pillar of_ Theodosius, _which you ascend on the Inside by
Winding Stairs; two large Equestrian Statues; Part of the_ Forum _of_
Theodosius; _the_ Bagnio’s _of_ Corosia; _eighty five Streets; seven
hundred and eleven great Houses; six large_ Portico’s; _eleven private
Baths; twelve private Mills; and sixteen_ Gradus. _It is governed by
one_ Curator, _has one_ Vernaculus, _eighty_ Collegiati, _and five_
Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The Church of St._ Irene.] This Church stood in a Street of this
_Ward_, which was called _Taurus_. It was called the Church of St.
_Irene_, _i. e._ of Peace; and which, as _Socrates_ and _Cedrinus_
inform us, was built by _Constantine_ the _Great_, and burnt down in
the Reign of _Justinian_.
_The Church of St._ Anastasia.] The Reliques of St. _Anastasia_, in
the first Year of _Leo_ the _Great_, were brought from _Syrmium_ to
_Constantinople_, and reposited in this Church which was built by the
Catholicks, because St. _Gregory Nazianzen_ had there revived the
Doctrine of the _Holy Trinity_, or as _Sozomen_ reports, because a
Woman big with Child falling from a Gallery over the Church-porch died
upon the Spot, and revived by the Prevalency of the Prayers of the
Congregation.
But it seems to me more agreeable to Truth, that there were at
_Constantinople_ two Churches which went under this Name: One was the
Church of the _Novatians_, which was pull’d down by the _Arians_, and
which was afterwards rebuilt by them, as _Sozomen_ observes, _Lib._ IV.
_Cap._ 19, and was therefore call’d the Church of St. _Anastasia_. The
other was so call’d, from the Revival of the Doctrine of the Trinity,
just mentioned. The Church here meant was anciently the House of
_Nicobulus_, where St. _Gregory Nazianzen_ was hospitably entertained
by him, as appears in his Oration to the Hundred and fifty Bishops.
This House was afterwards made a Church, and became a most magnificent
_Basilica_. But _Sozomen_ tells us, _Lib._ V. _Cap._ 5. That the Church
was so called for the Reason above-mentioned. _Martian_, one of the
Principal, and most wealthy Citizens, built there a large and beautiful
Church. The Reliques of _Anastasia_, were reposited there, because the
Church bore her Name.
_The Pillar of_ Theodosius, _which is ascended on the Inside by Winding
Stairs_.] _Zonaras_, in his Life of _Justinian_, writes concerning this
Pillar as follows: In the seventeenth Year of his Reign, says he, the
great Pillar placed before the Porch of the great Church was finished,
upon which he placed his own Statue on Horseback. In the same Place had
stood formerly the Pillar of _Theodosius_, supporting a silver Statue,
made at the Cost of his Son _Arcadius_. This Statue was seven Thousand
four hundred Pound in Weight. _Justinian_ took down the Statue, and
demolished the Pillar, and laid them both up; so that the Statue,
with the Stones of the Pillar, is to be seen at this Day. As the
Treatise, I am, upon was wrote when this Pillar was standing, it must
of Consequence be wrote before the Time of _Justinian_. _Cedrinus_, in
his Life of _Zeno_, speaks of this Pillar in another Manner, or else
he is speaking of another Pillar. In the Street called _Taurus_, says
he, _Theodosius_ the _Great_ erected a Pillar, on which was carved
the History of his Battles with the _Scythians_, and the Trophies of
his Success. This Pillar, continues he, has Winding-Stairs within it.
At the Top of it, in a Place where two Ways meet, sat _Theodosius_ on
Horseback, with his right Hand stretched towards the City, and pointing
downwards to the Trophies carved upon it. This Pillar, with the Statue,
was thrown down by an Earthquake in the fourth Year of the Reign of
_Zeno_ the Emperor. The same Historian, speaking of _Anastasius_,
says, that he ordered to be melted down many of the Statues, and other
Curiosities set up by _Constantine_ the _Great_, out of which his own
Statue was made, which he placed upon the Pillar in the _Taurus_. For
before the Statue of _Theodosius_ the _Great_ was placed there, the
Pillar of _Anastasius_ was thrown down, and dashed to Pieces by an
Earthquake.
_Two large Equestrian Statues._] One of these was the Statue of
_Theodosius_ the _Great_. The other is unknown.
_The_ Bagnio’s _of_ Corosia.] These Bagnio’s took their Name from
_Corosia_, the Daughter of _Valens_ the Emperor, as _Sozomen_ observes
in the Ninth Chapter of his Sixth Book. _Martian_, says he, a Man of
consummate Learning, and great Austerity of Life, who had formerly
been one of the Emperor’s Life-Guard, but at that Time a Priest, was
a _Novatian_, and Tutor to _Anastasius_ and _Corosia_, the Son and
Daughter of _Valens_, in the Rudiments of Grammar. He adds, that there
were some _Bagnio’s_ at _Constantinople_ that were named from them.
The Eighth _Ward_.
_The eighth_ Ward, _on the Side of the_ Taurus, _is not bounded by
the Sea, and may be looked upon to be rather a narrow, than a broad
Piece of Ground; yet is this Defect sufficiently amended by its great
Length. It contains part of the_ Forum _of_ Constantine, _a_ Portico
_on the left Side of it, reaching as far as the_ Taurus; _the_ Basilica
_of_ Theodosius; _the_ Capitol; _twenty two Streets; a hundred and
eight spacious Houses; five large_ Portico’s; _fifteen private Baths;
five private Mills; five_ Gradus, _and two Flesh Markets. It has
one_ Curator, _one_ Vernaculus, _seventeen_ Collegiati, _and five_
Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
This _Ward_ is wholly encompassed by the Land, and contains part of
the _Taurus_, which was a Street of _Constantinople_. _Zonaras_ in his
Life of _Nicephorus Botoniates_, takes Notice of it, and tells us, that
it contained Part of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, a _Portico_ on the
left Side of it, reaching as far as the _Taurus_, the _Basilica_ of
_Theodosius_, and the _Capitol_: In such magnificent Buildings, more
especially, did _Constantinople_ much resemble _Old Rome_.
The Ninth _Ward_.
_The ninth_ Ward _is all a Declivity, and bounded by the Sea. It
contains the two Churches of_ Cænopolis, _and_ Omonæa; _the Granaries
of_ Alexandria; _the House of the most illustrious_ Arcadia; _the_
Bagnio’s _of_ Anastasia; _the Granaries of_ Theodosius; _sixteen
Streets; a hundred and sixteen great Houses; two large_ Portico’s;
_fifteen private Baths; fifteen private, and four publick Mills. ’Tis
governed by one_ Curator, _one_ Vernaculus, _thirty eight_ Collegiati,
_and five_ Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The two Churches of_ Cænopolis, _and_ Omonæa.] I am of Opinion, that
the first of these Churches took its Name from some Place in the City.
Perhaps it was call’d so from a Spring without the _Porta Aurea_,
which had made the Ground foul, and oozy. _Leo_, before he came to
the Government, as the Story goes, anointed the Eyes of a blind Man
with the Dirt of that Place, and he recover’d his Sight. When he
arriv’d afterwards to the Imperial Dignity, he dedicated a Church
to the _Virgin Mary_, who foretold his Accession to the Government.
_Nicephorus_, in _Lib._ XV. _Cap._ 25. _Hist. Ecclesiast._ (and
_Procopius_ confirms it) says, that in the Suburbs, which was called
_Fons_, or the Spring, _Justinian_ repair’d the Church of the _Blessed
Virgin_. The other Church is call’d Ὁμόνοια, or the Church of Concord;
because, probably in the Times of Heathenism, the Temple of _Concord_
stood there; as there were no less than three such Temples at _Rome_.
One of which was dedicated to her by _M. Furius Camillus_, upon a
Suppression of a Military Tumult; the second by _M. Manlius Prætor_,
upon quelling such another Tumult in _Gaul_; and the third in the
_Forum Romanum_, near the _Græcostasis_, by _L. Opimius_ the _Consul_,
upon the Defeat of _Gracchus_ and his Party, in Opposition to the
strongest Resentments of the People; so that the Inscription over this
Temple was _Opus Vecordiæ_, and not _Concordiæ_. There was also another
Temple dedicated to _Concord_, which was either built, or repair’d by
_Livia Augusta_, as is observed by St. _Austin._ _Lib._ III. _Cap._
2. _de Civit. Dei._ One of these Temples was repaired by _Constantine_
for Christian Worship, as is evident from an antient Inscription in the
_Lateran_.
_The Granaries_ of Alexandria.] There were yearly carried from
_Alexandria_ to _Constantinople_, eight Millions of _Medimni_ of Wheat,
(each _Medimnus_ of _Attick_ Measure consisted of six Bushels) for
which the Masters of the Ships by an Edict of _Justinian_, received
the Sum of ninety Thousand _Aurei_. There was antiently rais’d by
Order of the Senate, and the principal Inhabitants, the Sum of six
hundred and eleven Pounds in Gold, which was lodged in the Hands of the
_Prefect_ of the City, for purchasing Provision; to which the Emperor
added another Import, for purchasing Corn from _Alexandria_, _Lib._
III. _Cod. Theod. de Frumen. Urb. Constan._ This Corn, when brought to
_Constantinople_, was laid up in Granaries, which were therefore called
the Granaries of _Alexandria_.
_The House of the most illustrious_ Arcadia.] This Lady, as _Cedrinus_
relates, was the Daughter of _Arcadius_. She had another House in the
tenth _Ward_. _Arcadius_ had by the Empress _Eudocia_, three Daughters,
_Pulcheria_, _Marina_, and _Arcadia_, who all lived in a State of
Celibacy.
_The_ Bagnio’s _of_ Anastasia.] These _Bagnio’s_ were so call’d from
_Anastasia_, the Daughter of _Valens_, as others were from her Sister
_Carosia_ abovementioned. _Marcellinus_, in his _Seventeenth Book_
observes, that these _Bagnio’s_ took their Name from _Anastasia_.
_Paulas Diaconus_ tells us in his _Thirteenth Book_, that there’s a
very large House in _Constantinople_ called _Carya_, which signifies
a Nut: For, says he, there stands in the Porch of this House a
Nut-tree, on which, as the Report goes, St. _Achatius_ suffered
Martyrdom. Upon this Account, there is also an Oratory built in the
same Place. _Procopius_ also mentions a Man, who went to the _Bagnio’s_
of _Anastasia_, which took their Name, says he, from the Sister of
_Constantine_.
The Tenth _Ward_.
_The tenth_ Ward, _on the other Side of the City, is divided from the
ninth by a broad Way, yet is it much more upon the Level; nor is it, in
any Part of it uneven, but near the Sea Shore. ’Tis of a proportionable
Length and Breadth, and contains in it; the Church of St._ Achatius;
_the_ Bagnio’s _of Constantine; the House of_ Augusta Placidia; _the
House of_ Augusta Eudocia; _the House of the most illustrious_ Arcadia;
_a large_ Nympheum; _twenty Streets; six hundred and thirty six great
Houses; six large_ Portico’s; _twenty two private Baths; two publick,
and sixteen private Mills; and twelve_ Gradus. _It has one_ Curator,
_one_ Vernaculus, _ninety_ Collegiati, _and five_ Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The Church of St._ Achatius.] This good Man suffered Death at
_Constantinople_, as I just observed, upon a Nut-tree, which
_Nicephorus_ says, remained in the Middle of the Church, sacred to his
Memory in the Reign of _Arcadius_, though he was martyr’d in the Time
of _Dioclesian_ an hundred Years before. For, speaking of _Procopius_
the Tyrant, The Church, says he, which was demolished with Age, was
rebuilt, and beautified by _Justinian_. And _Procopius_ the Historian
tells us in _Lib. de Ædif Just._ That _Justinian_ rebuilt it from the
Ground, and that it cast such a Lustre, that it struck the Spectators
with Admiration, its Marble being very glossy, and white as Snow.
He adds farther, that this Church was called the _Martyrdom_ of St.
_Achatius_, because he was buried there, which happened on the sixth of
_May_.
_The_ Bagnio’s _of_ Constantine.] _Gyllius_ says they were the
_Bagnio’s_ of _Constantius_, and which, indeed, are often mentioned
by _Sozomen_, _Socrates_, and _Suidas_; but ’tis more probable that
these _Bagnio’s_ were built by _Constantine_, who was indefatigable in
beautifying the City with many Decorations.
_The House of_ Placidia Augusta.] This Lady was the Daughter of
_Theodosius_ the _Less_, who afterwards resided in _Italy_, with her
Brother _Honorius_.
_The House of_ Augusta Eudocia.] She was the most learned Woman of
her Age, and wrote the Life of _Christ_ in _Greek Hexameters_, after
the Manner of _Homer_. At last being suspected by her Husband of
Adultery, and divorc’d, she went to _Jerusalem_, but upon the Death of
_Theodosius_, as _Zonaras_ and _Nicephorus_ write, returned again to
_Constantinople_.
The Eleventh _Ward_.
_The eleventh_ Ward, _much wider in Compass than the former, is,
in no part of it, bounded by the Sea. The whole of it, level and
rising Ground, contains, the Church of the_ Apostles; _the Palace of_
Flacilla; _the House of_ Augusta Pulcheria; _the Brazen Bull; the
Cistern of_ Arcadius; _the Cistern of_ Modestus; _five hundred and
three great Houses; four large_ Portico’s; _fourteen private Baths;
one publick, and three private Mills; and seven_ Gradus. _It has one_
Curator; _one_ Vernaculus; _thirty seven_ Collegiati, _and five_
Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The Church of the_ Apostles.] _Cedrinus_ and _Eusebius_ write, that
this Church was rebuilt by _Constantine_. _Eusebius_, _Lib._ IV.
_Cap._ 58. _de Vita Const._ says, that to perpetuate the Memory of
the _Apostles_, he began to build a Church, in the City called after
his own Name. When he had built the Church to a very great Height, he
beautify’d it with Stones of all Kinds, and inlay’d it with Variety of
the most delicate Marble, from the Pavement to the Top of the Church;
and having closed the Roof with Arches of the best Workmanship, he
gilded it over. The Top of the Church, on the Outside of it, was
cover’d with Brass, to secure it from the Violence of the Weather,
part of which was also gilded; so that the amazing Splendour of it,
reflected the Rays of the Sun to a very great Distance. The inward
part of the Church he cover’d with Net-work, which was artificially
made of Brass and Gold. Thus beautifully was the Church adorn’d by the
great Care and Application of the Emperor. Before it stood a spacious
Court, with an open Gallery round it. The Church and the Gallery were
wholly surrounded with _Portico’s_. The Palace, the _Bagnio’s_, the
Walks, and many Houses built for the Accommodation of those who look’d
after them, had all of them the Conveniency of some _Portico_. In
this Church was laid the Body of _Constantine_, in a golden Chest,
the twelve _Apostles_ standing round his Tomb. This is attested by
_Socrates_. This Church was afterwards rebeautified by _Justinian_. For
_Procopius_, _Lib. de Ædif. Just._ speaks of it thus: There was, says
he, an ancient Church at _Constantinople_, just sinking with Age. This
Church, for the Reverence he bore to it, was repair’d by _Justinian_,
where the Masons and Workmen found three wooden Chests or Coffins,
which proved by their Inscriptions, that the Bodies of St. _Luke_, St.
_Andrew_ and _Timothy_, were interr’d there, and which were viewed by
_Justinian_, and the _Christians_ of those Times, with the greatest
Admiration.
_The Palace of_ Flacilla.] If we read it _Falcilla_, it is meant of
another Daughter of _Arcadius_; if _Placilla_, she was the Wife of
_Theodosius the Great_, whom _Paulus Diaconus_ calls _Flacilla_.
_The Brazen Bull._] This Bull, _Cedrinus_ writes, was brought from
_Troy_. There was, says he, a Stove in which St. _Antipas_ the Martyr
was burnt to Death. Some are of Opinion, that this Stove was the
_Brazen Bull_ here mention’d, which was invented by _Perillus_, who
was forced to undergo the same Torment by _Phalaris_, a cruel Tyrant
of _Agrigentum_. _Zonaras_ relates, that _Phocas_ the Tyrant was burnt
in a Bull, _i. e._ in a brazen Stove made in the Shape of a Bull,
brought from _Pergamus_, which Place gave its Name to a Place near
_Constantinople_.
_The Cistern of_ Modestus.] _Modestus_ was first chief Governour of
the East, and was afterwards, _Præfectus Prætorio_, or General of
the Life-Guard to _Valens_. As he was an _Arian_, he persecuted the
Catholicks. Afterwards he was recovered from a dangerous Illness by the
Prayers of St. _Basil_, as ’tis recorded by _Gregory Nazianzen_ in his
Funeral Oration upon him. I take this to be the same Person who built
the Cistern here mention’d.
The Twelfth _Ward_.
_The twelfth_ Ward, _from the Entrance of the City at the_ Porta Aurea,
_is a long way upon the Level. ’Tis extended on the left Side of it
by a gentle Descent, and is bounded by the Sea. This_ Ward _is better
guarded, and more handsomly beautified than any other, the Walls rising
higher here than in any other part of the City. It contains the_ Porta
Aurea; _the_ Portico’s _of_ Troas; _the_ Forum _of_ Theodosius; _A
Column with winding Stairs in its Inside; the Mint, or Treasury; the
Port of_ Theodosius; _eleven Streets; three hundred and sixty three
great Houses; three large_ Portico’s; _five private Baths; five private
Mills, and nine_ Gradus. _It has one_ Curator, _one_ Vernaculus,
_thirty four_ Collegiati, _and five_ Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The_ Porta Aurea.] The _Greeks_ call it ὡραία both on the account
of its own Beautifulness, and that of the neighbouring Buildings; so
that it is a palpable Mistake in those who call it _Porta Neoria_ from
the Dock, which is near to it. I take this to be the same Gate which
_Zonaras_ mentions in his Life of _Leo_ the Philosopher. He calls it
the Western Gate of the Golden _Triclinium_, from whence it is call’d
the _Porta Aurea_, as is observ’d by _Nicetas_ in his Life of _Alexius
Ducas, Marzulfus_, and in the _History_ of their Atchievements, after
they had taken the City; as also by _Nicephorus Gregoras_, in his
_Treatise_ entituled, _The Entry of_ Michael Palæologus _into the
City_. In this Gate it is reported, the Elephants were stabled, which
were much like those with which _Theodosius_ made his publick Entry
into _Constantinople_, as ’tis mention’d by _Cedrinus_. Some Historians
tell us, that they were transported to _Constantinople_ from the Temple
of _Mars Atheniensis_. This Gate stood Easterly, facing the Sea, and
as _Nicephorus_ observes, overlook’d the Imperial Citadel through the
City to a great Distance, and that from thence you might look very far
backwards into the Inland Countries. This Gate, in a direct Line, was
distant from the Sea-shore fourteen thousand and seventy five Feet, so
that the City was about three Miles in Length.
_The_ Portico’s _of_ Troas.] I believe these _Portico’s_ took their
Name either from the People of _Troas_, who, while they continued
there, built them; or from some Part of the City so call’d, or because
some Goods and Merchandize were imported thither from _Troas_, as I
observed before of the Granaries of _Troas_.
_A Column with winding Stairs on its Inside._] Upon this Pillar was
erected the Statue of _Theodosius_, which, as _Zonaras_ writes, was
near the _Porta Aurea_, and fell down in the Reign of _Leo Isaurus_.
_Gyllius_ is of Opinion, that this was the Statue of _Arcadius_, that
the Shaft of it, with the Pedestal and Capital, consisted of twenty one
Stones; and adds, that the Battels of _Theodosius_ were carv’d upon it.
The Thirteenth _Ward_.
_The thirteenth_ Ward _is call’d the_ Sycæne Ward, _which is divided
from the City by a narrow Bay of the Sea, and maintains an Intercourse
with it by Boats, and small Vessels. It stands wholly upon the Side
of it, except a broad Tract of Land, which lies Level, at the Foot of
it, near the Sea-shore. It contains one Church, the_ Bagnio’s _and_
Forum _of_ Honorius; _A Theatre; A Dock for Ship-building; four
hundred and thirty one great Houses; one large_ Portico; _five private_
Bagnio’s; _one publick, and four private Mills; with eight_ Gradus.
_It has one_ Curator, _one_ Vernaculus, _thirty four_ Collegiati, _and
five_ Vico-Magistri.
NOTES.
_The_ Sycene Ward.] This _Ward_ is a _Peninsula_ divided from
_Constantinople_ by a small Bay of the City. ’Tis at present call’d
_Galata_, or _Pera_. _Stephanus_ (_de Urbibus_) tells us, that _Sycæ_
is a small City over against New _Rome_, which in his Time was called
_Justiniana_. But _Justinian_ himself, _Novel._ 59. _Cap._ 5. places
it so far within the new Walls of the City, that, as he says, it
ought to be looked upon as a Part of it. It was named by the _Greeks_
_Sycæna_, from the great Produce it bears of the best _Figs_, as
is observed by _Cedrinus_ and _Dionysius_ a _Byzantian_. ’Tis not
inhabited at present by the _Franks_, for so the _Greeks_ call the
_Latines_. _Gyllius_ is of Opinion that it was called _Galata_, because
_Brennus_, Captain General of the _Gauls_, whom the _Greeks_ call
Γαλάται marched thither with his Army. It was also called _Pera_,
that is, the _Ferry_, or _Peræa_, and stood on the other Side of the
Water; as _Josephus_ relates, that _Judæa_ was on the other Side of
_Jordan_; and as _Strabo_ mentions a Place, which he says was on the
other Side of _Euphrates_. _Anastasius_ in his _Constitutions_ calls
it _Sycæ_, or the _Ferry_ of _Sycæ_, where he commands the Dead to be
bury’d without Fee, or Reward. ’Tis divided by a Hill that runs from
North to South, and is bounded on each Side by two Vales, of a Mile in
Length. Its Walls are four Thousand four Hundred Paces in Compass. Near
to it, _Justinian_ in his 159ᵗʰ _Nov._ seems to fix the Suburbs called
_Coparium_: And _Socrates_ in his 30ᵗʰ _Chap._ of his _Eccles. Hist._
tells us, that there’s a Place just against the City, which is called
_Sycæ_. The Church of the _Novatians_ was translated hither in the
Reign of _Constantine_.
_It maintained an Intercourse with_ Constantinople, _by Boats and
small Vessels_.] There were in the Bay here many Thousands of small
Boats, far exceeding the Number of those which are at _Venice_ to carry
Passengers from one Shore to the other, so that this _Peninsula_ might
reasonably be looked upon as a Part of the City. ’Tis almost surrounded
with Mountains, at the Foot of which, towards the Sea, it lies all upon
a Level to the opposite Shore. It contained a Church, the _Forum_,
and Theatre of _Honorius_, and many other Ornaments and Curiosities
in common with other _Wards_. There stood here a magnificent Church
dedicated to St. _Irene_, which was built by _Pertinax_, who had pass’d
the Consular Dignity, and was then _Patriarch_ of _Constantinople_:
And _Constantine_, when he had beautified the _Ward_ with many stately
Buildings, enclosed it with a Wall, as ’tis recorded by _Cardinal
Baronius_ in his _Annals_ of the Year 314.
_The Dock._] There was also a Place in this _Ward_ where they built
their Ships.
The Author has taken no Notice of two Streets which belonged to this
_Ward_, and which would complete the Number of three hundred and twenty
two Streets, mentioned in the Conclusion of his _Treatise_; but without
the Addition of them, we can reckon them three hundred and twenty and
no more.
The Fourteenth _Ward_.
_Although this_ Ward _is look’d upon to be a fourteenth Part of
the City, yet because it is divided from the other_ Wards _by an
intermediate Space of Land, and enclosed within its own Walls, it
makes the Figure of a small City by it self. The Entrance of it at the
Gate is somewhat upon the Level; but the right Side of it, rising into
an Ascent, almost to the Middle of the broad Way, falls into a deep
Descent, and ends afterwards near the Sea in a Plain. It contains a
Church; the Palace; a_ Nympheum; _some Baths; a Theatre; a_ Lusorium;
_a Wooden Bridge; eleven Streets; a hundred and sixty seven great
Houses; two large_ Portico’s; _five private Baths; one publick, and one
private Mill; with five_ Gradus.
NOTES.
_The fourteenth_ Ward, _which is enclosed within its own Walls, makes
the Figure of a kind of small City by it self_.] It was antiently
looked upon to be a small City, because one of the Emperors had built
there an Imperial Citadel. ’Tis very mountainous about it, and it
descends towards the Sea, into the Bosom of a Plain. The Name of the
Church in this _Ward_ is not known at present.
_A Palace._] This is the Place of Imperial Residence, which was
antiently called _Palatium_, because _Augustus_ dwelt in Mount
_Palatine_ at _Rome_. The Dwelling-House of _Romulus_ was also called
by the same Name. Wherefore, says _Dion_, speaking of _Augustus_, let
the Emperor be where he pleases, yet the Place where he constantly
dwells, is always called his Palace.
_A_ Lusorium.] This probably was the same Place with the _Ludus
Venatorius_, in which the Combatants exercised themselves before
they engaged with wild Beasts; yet is it more probable, that it was
so called from the _Naves Lusoriæ_, which were built there, of which
_Marcellinus_ takes Notice in his _sixth Book_, as also the _Code_ of
_Theodosius de Lusoriis Danubii_.
_A Wooden Bridge._] _Suidas_ writes, that near the Church of St.
_Mamas_, there was a Bridge which consisted of twelve Arches, for there
was a great Flood of Waters there. I believe this was after chang’d
into a Stone Bridge.
_Five_ Gradus, _or Stairs_.] At the End of this _Ward_, after the five
_Gradus_, I would correct the Omission of my Author, by comparing this
with the other _Wards_, and adding one _Curator_, one _Vernaculus_,
thirty seven _Collegiati_, and five _Vico-Magistri_.
The Author, in his following summary View of the City, mentions five
hundred and sixty _Collegiati_, but to complete the Number of them,
there are wanting seven. _Theodosius_ the _Less_ has added three in
_Lib. de Commer. & Mercat._ and makes the Number of them to be five
hundred and sixty three.
_A Summary View of the whole City._
_Having taken a particular View of the City, as divided into_ Wards,
_I shall now_, continues my Author, _give the Reader a more large and
general Description of it, to shew that its Beauty and Magnificence is
not only to be ascribed to Art and good Workmanship, but that Nature
herself by the Mediation of the Elements, has happily contributed
to its Security and Defence. The divine Providence has with so much
Wisdom consulted the Preservation of its Inhabitants, even to future
Ages, that a long Tract of Land, in the Nature of a_ Promontory,
_full of Windings and Harbours in its Sides, facing the Chaps of the_
Black-Sea, _narrow in Breadth, is strongly fortified by the Sea. The_
Isthmus, _the only Part of the City not bounded by the Sea, is at the
same Time strengthened with a double Wall with numerous Towers on its
Ramparts. The City thus enclosed and defended, contains in the Whole
the following Buildings. Five Palaces; fourteen Churches; five divine
Houses of the_ Augustæ; _three of the most illustrious Ladies_;
_eight_ Bagnio’s; _two_ Basilica’s; _four_ Fora’s; _two Senate-Houses;
five Granaries, or Store-Houses; two Theatres; two_ Lusoria; _four
Havens; one_ Circo; _four Cisterns; four_ Nymphea; _three hundred
and twenty two Streets; four Thousand three hundred and eight large
Houses; fifty two_ Portico’s; _a hundred and fifty three private Baths;
twenty publick, and a hundred and twenty private Mills; a hundred and
seventeen_ Gradus; _five Flesh Markets; one_ Porphyry _Pillar; two
Pillars with winding Stairs; one_ Colossus; _one Golden_ Tetrapylum;
_the_ Forum _of_ Augustus; _the Capitol; the Mint, or Treasury; and
three_ Gradus _by the Sea-Shore. It was under the Care and Government
of fourteen_ Curators, _fourteen_ Vernaculi, _five hundred and sixty_
Collegiati, _and sixty five_ Vico-Magistri. _The Length of the City
from the_ Porta Aurea _in a direct Line to the Sea-Shore, is fourteen
Thousand and seventy five Feet; the Breadth of it, six Thousand one
Hundred and fifty_. Thus concludes the Author of the Description, I
shall now go on with my
NOTES.
_It has five Palaces._] Old _Rome_, instead of these, has one Thousand
one hundred and eighty Houses.
_Fourteen Churches._] _Rome_ had four Hundred and twenty four Temples.
_Five divine Houses of the_ Augustæ, _and of those who bore the Title
of the Most Illustrious three_.] The Houses of those Ladies, who bore
the Title of _Augustæ_ were called Divine. They had also other Marks
of Imperiality and Honour conferr’d upon them. By the Mistake of the
Writer these Houses were reckoned six, though they were no more in
Number than five only, _viz._ two of _Placidia_, two of _Pulcheria_,
and one of _Eudocia_, the Wife of _Theodosius_. As to the Houses
belonging to the Ladies, entitled the _Most Illustrious_, one of them
belonged to _Marina_, and the other two to _Arcadia_, and bore the same
Title with themselves.
_Eight_ Bagnio’s.] _Victor_ writes, that at _Rome_ there were eleven.
_Two_ Basilica’s.] There were ten of them at _Rome_.
_Four_ Fora’s.] At _Rome_ there were eleven; _Victor_ says nineteen.
_Two Senate-Houses._] At _Rome_, as _Victor_ says, there were three;
one stood between the _Capitol_, and the _Forum Romanum_, where was the
Temple of _Concord_; another by the _Porta Capena_, and a third in the
Temple of _Bellona_, which stood in the _Circo_ of _Flaminius_, where
the Foreign Ambassadors resided, because they would not allow them
Admittance into the City.
_Five Granaries._] At _Rome_ there were two hundred and ninety two.
_Two Theatres._] At _Rome_ there were three.
_Two_ Lusoria.] At _Rome_, according to _Victor_, there were sixteen.
_Four Havens._] At _Rome_ there was but one.
_One_ Circo.] At _Rome_ there were two.
_Four Cisterns._] At _Rome_ there were none.
_Four_ Nymphea.] At _Rome_ there were fifteen.
_Three hundred and twenty two Streets._] At _Rome_ four Hundred and
twenty four.
_Four Thousand three hundred and eighteen large Houses._] At _Rome_
there were forty six Thousand six hundred and two _Insulæ_, and one
Thousand seven hundred and eighty large Houses. The Houses here
mentioned were large roof’d Buildings, tyl’d at Top four Ways; the
_Insulæ_ were roof’d Buildings, tyl’d only before and behind.
_Forty two_ Portico’s.] At _Rome_ there were six only.
_A hundred and fifty three private Baths._] At _Rome_ there were eight
hundred and fifty six.
_Twenty publick, and a hundred and twenty private Mills._] At _Rome_
two hundred and fifty four.
_A hundred and seventeen_ Gradus.] At _Rome_ none.
_Five Flesh-Markets._] At _Rome_ two only.
_Five hundred and sixty_ Collegiati.] It is apparent that thirty seven
of them are omitted in the last _Ward_. There was no such Office at
_Rome_, yet there were, instead of them, Watchmen divided into seven
Companies, whose Business, according to _Dion_ and _Suetonius_, was
much the same with that of the _Collegiati_.
_Sixty five_ Vico-magistri.] It should be read seventy; for five
of them are omitted in the last _Ward_. At _Rome_ the Number of
_Collegiati_ was six hundred and seventy two.
_A Porphyry Pillar._] There was no such Pillar, as _Cedrinus_ says,
at _Rome_, tho’ this was brought from thence. _Gyllius_ writes, that
this Pillar was made of square marble Stones, and that it stood in the
_Hippodrom_.
_Two Pillars with Winding-Stairs in the Inside of them._] There was the
same Number at _Rome_.
_One_ Colossus.] At _Rome_ there were two. ’Tis omitted in the
_Description of the Wards_, as many other Things of Note are.
_The Golden_ Tetrapylum.] _Gyllius_ quotes an unknown Author who will
have this _Tetrapylum_ to have been a Quadrangle with _Portico’s_
round it, having Four Gates, and was formerly call’d _Quadrivium_. The
_Latines_ call it a _Stadium_. But there’s no such Place to be found
in the _Wards_ of the City, unless it be the _Stadium_ in the Fourth
_Ward_, which is omitted in the _Summary View_ of the City. _Cedrinus_,
in his Life of _Leo Magnus_, mentions this _Tetrapylum_. _Evagrius_
in the _twenty eighth Chapter_ of his _third Book_ tells us, that
it was built by the Senator _Mammianus_, in the Reign of _Zeno_. He
built, says he, two stately _Portico’s_ of exquisite Workmanship, and
beautify’d them with a neat glossy Marble. As to the _Tetrapylum_ built
by _Mammianus_, there are not, as _Gyllius_ tells us, the least Remains
of it. _Victor_ writes, that there was a _Pentapylum_ in the tenth
_Ward_ of _Rome_.
_The_ Augusteum.] This was the _Forum_ of _Augustus_.
_The Capitol._] At _Rome_, as _Victor_ writes, there were two; the old
and the new _Capitol_.
_The Mint, or Treasury._] There was no such Place at _Rome_.
_Three_ Gradus _by the Sea-Shore_.] There were no such _Stairs_ at
_Rome_, yet they had their _Lakes_, their _Naval Fights_, &c.
The City is reported to have had twenty three Gates. _Laonicus
Chalcondylus_, in his History of the _Ottomans_, tells us, that
_Constantinople_ contains in compass a hundred and eleven Furlongs,
which is more than thirteen _Italian_ Miles. ’Tis generally thought
to be eighteen Miles in Circumference. Besides the foremention’d
Curiosities, _Constantinople_ has been famous for the _Aqueduct_
of _Hadrian_, which furnish’d the Palace, the _Nymphea_, and the
_Bagnio’s_ with a Sufficiency of Waters, as _Theodosius_ mentions in a
Letter to _Cyrus_, _Prefect_ of the City. The _Bagnio’s_ of _Achilles_
are also mention’d by him, where he says, that these _Bagnio’s_ were
supply’d with Water convey’d into them from the said _Aqueduct_ by
leaden Pipes. _Cedrinus_ says, that these _Bagnio’s_ were built
near the _Strategium_, and took their Name from an Altar, which was
dedicated to _Ajax_ and _Achilles:_ And _Cassiodorus_ relates, that the
Fire, which happen’d in the Reign of _Constantine_ the _Great_, burnt
down the City, as far as the _Bagnio’s_ of _Achilles_.
_Some Account of the_ Suburbs _as they are mention’d in the_ Codes
_and_ Law-Books.
_Procopius_ tells us, in his first Book _de Ædif. Justin._ that
the _Hepdomum_ was one Part of the Suburbs of _Constantinople_.
_Justinian_, says he, built another Church dedicate to St. _Theodora_
in a Place call’d the _Hepdomum_, which in the _Greek_ signifies the
_Seventh_. _Zonaras_, in the Life of _Phocas_, mentions the same
Thing, as does also _Cedrinus_ in the Life of _Arcadius_ and _Justin_,
with many others. In this Place were many Laws enacted; and _Zonaras_
writes, that _Theodosius_ the _Great_ built a Church there, in Honour
of St. _John Baptist_. _Gyllius_ says, that ’tis at present enclos’d
within the Walls of the City, that it stands upon the sixth Hill, and
that ’tis call’d _Hepdomum_, or _Seventh_, as denoting the Number of
the Suburbs of the City.
_The_ Blachernæ.] This is another Part of the Suburbs, mention’d
by _Justinian_ in his 151ˢᵗ _Nov._ where he says, that _Hierius_
bequeath’d by Will to his Son _Anthemius_ the Suburbs in the
_Blachernæ_. _Zonaras_ writes, that _Pulcheria_, the Sister of
_Theodosius_ the _Less_, built a Church to the _Blessed Virgin_ in this
Place, which, as _Procopius_ tells us, was repair’d by _Justinian_.
_Cedrinus_ observes, that the Emperor _Justin_, Nephew of _Justinian_,
enlarg’d it with two Arches. _Suidas_ reports, that _Anastasius_ the
Emperor built there a large _Triclinium_ and _Tiberius_ a _Bagnio_, as
_Zonaras_ writes. It took its Name of the _Blachernæ_, as _Gyllius_
believes, upon the Authority of _Dionysius_ a _Byzantian_ Writer, from
some Person, who was formerly a kind of a petty King there. It was
situate near the Sea, in the Place, as _Nicephorus_ observes in his
15ᵗʰ _Book_ _Chap._ 25ᵗʰ _of his Eccl. Hist._ where _Leo_ the _Great_
built a Church to the Virgin _Mary_.
The _Monastery_ of _Studius_ was another Part of the Suburbs of
_Constantinople_, in which, as _Justinian_ observes, in his 6ᵗʰ
_Chap._ _Novel_ 59ᵗʰ. was kept a large Bier, for the Burial of the
Dead. The following Account is given of _Studius_ by _Nicephorus_,
in his 15ᵗʰ _Book_, _Chap._ 25ᵗʰ _of his Eccles. Hist._ An eminent
Citizen of _Rome_, says he, nam’d _Studius_, came from thence to
_Constantinople_, where he built a Church to the Memory of St. _John
Baptist_, and that divine Service might be celebrated there with more
Decency and Solemnity, he took some Monks out of the Monastery of
the Ἀκοίμητοι, who were so call’d, because some of them were always
_waking_ to attend divine Worship. The heavenly-minded _Marcellinus_
built them a Monastery, in which they continually sang Hymns to God,
their Society being divided into three Tribes for that Purpose. Thus
far _Nicephorus_. Upon this Occasion _Studius_ was made _Consul_, as
appears by an Inscription over the Gate of his own Monastery, which
runs thus:
_This Pyle was rais’d by_ Studius’ _bounteous Hand:
Great Actions greatest Honours should command.
In just Acknowledgment, the grateful Town,
Repay’d the Founder with a_ Consul’s _Gown_.
This happen’d in the Reign of _Leo_ the Emperor.
The _Coparia_, as is plain from the 159ᵗʰ _Nov. of Justinian_, was
another Part of the Suburbs, and was bequeath’d, as appears by the
Codicil of _Hierius_’s Will to his Niece.
There was also another Part of the Suburbs in the _Promontory_ of
the Creek of _Sosthenium_, which was formerly in the Possession of
_Ardaburus_, General of the Army to _Theodosius_ the _Less_. The Right
of it afterwards came to _Hierius_, who was _Præfectus Prætorio_, or
General of the Life-Guard to the Emperor _Zeno_. _Nicephorus_ in the
50ᵗʰ _Chap. of his_ 7ᵗʰ _Book of Eccl. Hist._ gives this Reason why it
was call’d _Sosthenium_, ’Tis recorded, says he, that the _Argonauts_
of _Greece_, when they arriv’d here, began to plunder the Countrey,
but were defeated by _Amycus_, who was then Governor of the Place,
and being dispers’d, they wander’d about till they came to a woody
unhospitable Place, where they took shelter in a large Thicket of
Trees; that in this Calamity _Virtue_ came down to them from Heaven in
a human Shape, having Wings like an Eagle, and by her Oracle foretold,
that if they would venture another Battle, they should conquer
_Amycus_. Directed by this Advice, they engag’d them again, obtain’d
an entire Victory over them, slew him, and all his Forces; and that
to express their Gratitude to the _Vision_, they built a Temple, and
erected a Statue to her, in the Shape she appear’d to them, which gave
the Place the Name of _Sosthenium_, because they _secur’d_ themselves
by the second Battle.
Bytharium, _or_ Philotheum.] This was also another Part of the
_Suburbs_, and is mention’d as such in 159ᵗʰ _Nov. of Justinian_.
The _Porta Veneta_ is mentioned by _Procopius_ in his _History of the_
Persian _War_; who, speaking of some military Officer, tells us, that
when he came to the _Porta Veneta_, which stands on the Right Hand of
the Palace, he halted and determin’d to march to _Hypalium_. This Gate
seems to take its Name from the _Suburbs_ call’d _in Venetis_, probably
because the _Venetian Faction_, a Company of Chariot-Racers dress’d in
_Sky-colour’d_ Cloths, dwelt there.
_Procopius_ also takes Notice of the _Pontichium_ by the Ferry, and
also of the _Rusiniana_, as two other Parts of the _Suburbs_. These
Places he mentions in his 1ˢᵗ _Book of the_ Persian _War_; as does also
_Sozomen_ in the 21ˢᵗ _Chap._ _Book_ the 8ᵗʰ.
_Of the present Buildings of_ Constantinople.
_Gyllius_ assures us, that the whole City, at present, is under a
visible Decay, as to its Buildings; that the Houses are low and mean,
and that there’s little or nothing to be seen of its ancient Beauty
and Magnificence, except in a few of their _Basha’s_ Houses, their
_Mosques_, their _Bagnio’s_, and their _Caravansera’s_, which are all
very noble Buildings, and are as follows.
There are at least three hundred _Mosques_ built with Marble, cover’d
with Lead, and shining with glossy marble Pillars.
There are above a hundred publick _Bagnio’s_, both for Men and Women,
which are very spacious.
There are also about the same Number of _Caravansera’s_; the most
eminent of which are adorn’d with Fountains, which are constantly
supply’d with Water from the Fields adjoining the _Suburbs_, and which
also supply the whole City.
[Illustration: BYZANTIΩN
BYZANTIΩN
B Y]
* * * * * *
Transcriber’s note:
The original spelling, hyphenation, punctuation has been retained
except for apparent typographical errors.
The chapter headings and page numbers have been added to the CONTENTS,
by the transcriber, for the following:
A DESCRIPTION
Of the CITY of CONSTANTINOPLE,
As it stood in the REIGNS of
ARCADIUS and HONORIUS.
In the Preface of the Translator the author’s birthplace is given as
“Abi”. This has been corrected to read “Albi” (in South-West France).