THE
ANTIQUITIES
OF
Constantinople.

BOOK III.

Chap. I.

Of several Places in the fifth Ward, and the second Hill; of the Neorium; of the Port nam’d the Bosporium; of the Strategium, and the Forum of Theodosius.

IT was impossible for me to discover from the Ancient Description of the Wards, that the fifth Ward stood on the North Side of the second Hill, and in a Plain at the Bottom of it, and that it descended jointly with the fourth Ward from the Ridge of the Promontory to the Bay call’d Ceras, although the Author takes Notice that a great part of it fell down in winding Descents into the Bosom of a Plain. For this Description of it is no less agreeable to other Wards. Nor could I find out its Situation from any Buildings remaining in it, or from the Information of the most ancient Inhabitants. All the Light I could get was from the Situation of the Phosphorian or, as some call it, the Bosphorian Port, and the Stairs of Chalcedon, which do not take that Name, because they are built in the Eastern Part of the City facing Chalcedon, for they stand full North; and so it is call’d the Bosphorian Port, not from the Sea of Bosporus, but from a depraved Custom of the People, who pronounce it so; whereas, according to the Authorities of Stephanus and Eustathius, they ought to call it the Phosphorian Port. For these Writers assert, that it took its Name from hence; viz. that when Philip of Macedon besieged Byzantium, and his Soldiers were digging a Passage under Ground into the Town, the Moon, which is call’d Phosphora, shone out in its full Brightness, and discover’d the Stratagem; so that the Byzantians, the Siege being raised, call’d it the Phosphorium. But as they give some Reason why it may be thought the same Haven, though under different Names, yet are they silent as to its Situation, whether it stood on the Eastern, Northern, or Southern Side of the City; though it is reasonable to believe, if we consider the Situation of the Stairs of Chalcedon, which the Ancient Description of the Wards places in the same Ward with the Bosphorian Haven, that it stood on the South Side of the City, and not on the East Side, although it directly faces Chalcedon. For the Force and Rapidity of the Bosporus makes it very difficult to sail from Chalcedon to the Eastern and Southern Parts of Constantinople; but ’tis an easy Passage to those who sail between that and Chalcedon, to go in or out of Port on the North Side of the City. It is observable farther, that the Ancient Description of the Wards mentions no Stairs which lie over-against Chalcedon; or if the Author had taken Notice of any, he had placed them in the first or second Wards, opposite to Chalcedon, or in the third Ward, which stands Southward, where the Neorium or the new Dock stood, as I observ’d before. But it would be of little Significancy to enlarge on this Matter, since I shall be very particular in naming and producing such Authorities, as will make it evident, that the Bosphorian Port, and the Stairs of Chalcedon were not only situate on the North Side of the City, but shall mention the very Place where they stood. The first Historian I shall quote is Dionysius, a Native of the City, who places, just without the Walls of Old Byzantium, the Temple of Tellus upon the Bay of the Bosporus, and a little below it the Temple of Ceres and Proserpina, whom he does not call Proserpina, but only κόρη the Virgin; yet by the Situation of the Place we may easily understand that Virgin to be Hecate, whose Tripos Cedrinus mentions to have been in the Strategium, where, or at least not far from it, as appears from the same Author, stood the Temple of Proserpina: But Evagrius is more clear upon this Occasion, who tells us, that in the Reign of Leo there happen’d a great Fire on the North Side of the City, where the Dock stood, which consumed all before it, from the Bosphorian Haven, to the old Temple of Apollo; on the South Side, from the Port of Julian to the Temple of Concord, in the Middle of the City, from the Forum of Constantine, to the Taurus; and Zonaras adds, that the same Fire destroy’d all the Buildings between the North and the South Sea. Cedrinus reports, that the same Fire began at the Dock, and burnt down all before it, as far as the Church of St. John; from whence I observe, that the Bosphorian Port and the Dock were near to one another, although the Author of the Description of the Wards, places the former in the fifth, and the latter in the sixth Ward. For since both these Wards join’d together, and descended from the Ridge of the Promontory down to the Sea, it is not possible that they should stand at any great Distance from one another. Zosimus, an ancient Historian, points out the very Place where the Dock was built in his Description of Old Byzantium. He tells us, that ’twas situate upon a Hill, which made part of the Isthmus, which was enclosed by the Propontis, and the Bay call’d Ceras; and adds, that the Wall of Byzantium stretch’d it self over a Hill, from the Western Side of the City to the Temple of Venus, and the Sea facing Chrysopolis; and that it descended on the North Side of the City to the Neorion, or New Haven, which I take to stand near the Gate which the Greeks call Ὡραῖα, and since by a Corruption of Language Porta Neoria, or at least not far from it. There is at present between the Seas and the Porta Neoria, a broad Space of Land, a Market of Merchandize and Sea Goods, which the Turks call Siphont, or Tsiphont, because the Jews inhabit it. It adjoins to the Stairs or Landing-place of Chalcedon, from whence they daily sail to Scutarieum, or Scutaricum, anciently call’d Chrysopolis, a Mart-Town, and a Port of Chalcedon. Near the Stairs of Chalcedon is the Ferry, whence you cross the Water to Galata. It was formerly called the Sycæne Ferry, and is placed in the Description of the Wards, near the Bosphorian Haven, or Dock. But the Situation of these Places seems to be somewhat chang’d, by reason of some Granaries built there, (which are removed farther into the City) or for the greater Enlargement of the Precinct of the Seraglio, or because they are fallen to Decay, and filled up with Earth. For at that Time, when Philip of Macedon undermin’d the Town, ’tis very probable that there was no Port built in that Place, which by the Byzantians was afterwards call’d the Phosphorion. There was no building a Haven there, because of the Rising of the Springs, but the Bosphorian Haven was built afterwards in another Place. And this is no more than what is said of the Dock, or the Neorium, which they tell you was enclosed by Constans, and was made a Market of Merchandize, and other naval Affairs. This Market was afterwards kept near the Port of Julian. Some Historians write, that Leontius the Emperor, who reign’d after Justin, order’d the Dock to be cleansed. Others write, that there was erected, at the Neorium, the Figure of a large Ox in Brass, which much resembled the Brazen Bull. This Figure was set up in the eleventh Ward, which, as some modern Writers would persuade you, bellow’d once a Year, which portended great Mischief and Detriment to the City. But this I look upon to be a Fable taken out of Callimachus and Pindar, who tell you, that upon the Mountain of Artabyris in Rhodes, there are brazen Bulls that used to bellow upon any Calamity impending the City. There is nothing remaining of this Haven, where the Dock was at present. I gather from the Situation of the Bosphorian Port, and the Stairs of Chalcedon, that the fifth Ward stood on the Side of the second Hill, and in a Plain below it; where were also the Bagnio’s of Honorius, the Prytaneum, the Bagnio’s of Eudoxia, the Granaries of Valentinian and Constantius, the Thebean Obelisk, the Bosphorian Port, the Stairs of Chalcedon, the Cistern of Theodosius, and the Strategium, in which was the Forum of Theodosius. Justinian in his Constitutions takes Notice of the Bagnio of Achilles in a Letter, thus: Our Imperial Will and Pleasure is, that the leaden Pipes, conducting the Water to the Achillean Bagnio’s, contrived by your Wisdom, and purchased by your Munificence, be under the same Regulation and Management, as has been appointed by Theodosius and Valentinian in the like Case; and that the said Pipes shall only supply such Bagnio’s and Nymphæa, as your Excellency shall think fit, allowing at the same time full Power, Licence and Authority to the Apparitors of your Excellency, to enter without Fear or Molestation, such Houses and Bagnio’s in the Suburbs, as they shall judge convenient, to enquire into all Evasions of this Order, and to prevent the Stoppage of the Water to the Detriment of the publick. The Law by which Constantine the Great enacts, that Constantinople shall be call’d New Rome, is inscrib’d upon a publick Pillar, near his own Equestrian Statue in the Strategium. I find in the Ancient Description of the Wards, that there were three Fora’s in the City, which took their Name from Theodosius. One was in the fifth Ward, and stood, as I just observ’d, in the Strategium; another stood in the sixth Ward, and a third in the twelfth. The two last of them were Markets for Provision, the first was the Forum Prætorianum, a Court of publick Justice, where the Prætors presided, and this I gather from the Treatise just mention’d, and which was call’d, both by the Latins and Greeks, Prætorium. I am not certain, though it seems very probable to me, that this great Prætorium was beautifully finish’d at the Expence and Care of the Emperor Justin and Domninus, as will appear from the following Verses of Paulus Silentiarius. I shall subjoin them in order to prove, that the Word Prætorium was used by the Greeks, as were also very many other Latin Words.

Some Verses of Paulus Silentiarius, upon beautifying the great Prætorium.

Chap. II.

Of the sixth Ward, and the remaining ancient Buildings of the second Hill.

IT had been very difficult to have discover’d, either from the Situation of the Forum of Constantine, or the Pillar of Constantine still standing at Constantinople, or the Description of the Wards (although it takes Notice of the Pillar of Constantine, and tells us, that the sixth Ward enters upon a short Plain, and that ’tis afterwards lengthen’d by a long Descent) whether the sixth Ward had been on the North or the South Side of the City, unless the Author had added, that it reach’d from the Forum of Constantine down to Stairs from whence you sail over the Sycæne Ferry. It was originally call’d the Sycæne Ferry from Syca, but is now call’d Galata, or Pera, as will appear more fully, when I come to speak of it in the thirteenth Ward. That the fifth and sixth Wards join’d together, I observ’d before from the Vicinity of the Dock, the Stairs of Chalcedon, the Sycæne Stairs, and the Bosphorian Port to each other. Having therefore discover’d the Situation of Syca, I take it for granted, that the Dock stood near a Plain on the Sea Shore, which was below the Foot of the second Hill, and that the Ferry Place from whence you passed over to Syca, is the same with that from whence you sail at present to Galata, and that the Porphyry Pillar now standing, is the same with that mention’d by the Author of the Description, &c. and placed by him in the sixth Ward; though he takes no Notice in his Description of the sixth Ward, where he places the Senate-House, how near it stood to the Forum or Pillar of Constantine. But I shall make it plain to the Reader from other Historians, in what follows, that the Senate-House stood on the North Side of the Forum of Constantine, and that this Ward stood partly on the Ridge of the second Hill, where the Porphyry Pillar is now standing, as is also the Poultry Market, which the Turks call Taubasor, or Taouck Baser, the Dyers Shops, the House of Ænobarbus, a Turkish Admiral, and the Mosque of Hali-Bassa. Part of it spreads itself also over the right Side of the second Valley, and part of it covers a Plain near the Sea, below the Valley, and the Foot of the second Hill, which is much inhabited by the Jews.

Chap. III.

Of the Porphyry Pillar, the Forum of Constantine, and the Palladium.

THOSE Historians who have treated of the Actions of Constantine the Great, report, that he brought the round Porphyry Pillar from Rome. This Pillar was bound, at the Joints, with circular Wreaths of Laurel made of Brass, and was placed in the Forum, call’d the Placoton, because it was paved with smooth broad Stones, which the Greeks call Placæ. They add farther, that there was erected upon this Pillar a curious Statue of Brass, surprizing both for its Workmanship and Size. ’Twas an ancient Piece of Statuary, exquisitely finish’d, even to the Life. They tell you that ’twas originally the Image of Apollo of Troy, that the Emperor gave it his own Name, and commanded to be fix’d in the Head of it, some of those Nails which fasten’d our Saviour to the Cross. Upon the Statue was cut the following Inscription:

Cedrinus relates, that at the Bottom of the Pillar were carved the twelve Baskets, full of the Fragments which were left, after the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. This Pillar has no Winding Stairs, but is all solid Marble, and therefore Fulvius, otherwise a good Antiquary, is visibly in an Error, when he tells us, that it had an ascent within it. Zonaras says, that the Statue of Constantine was standing upon the Pillar in his Time, and that in the Spring Time, in the Reign of Alexius Comnenus, among many other Buildings which were thrown down by a violent Storm of Wind, the Statue of Constantine the Great was blown down and demolished, and that by the Fall of it, several People who were passing by, were dashed to Pieces. The Author who has wrote the History of Alexius Comnenus, tells us, that not only the Statue was struck down with Lightning, but also that three of the Tores, or round Circles of the Pillar, were also removed. The Pillar is still standing on the Top of the second Hill; ’tis somewhat impair’d, not so much by Time, altho’ it is very ancient, as by Fires and Earthquakes, and Tempests. The Statue and the three upper Wreaths are gone, and in the Room of them there’s a plain round Superstructure, almost of the same Thickness and Size with the other Part of the Shaft. The Pedestal of it is made of squar’d Marble, and is, every Way, eleven Foot nine Inches broad, and eighteen Foot high. Upon this is placed a Cornice, but after the Doric Manner, consisting of a Plinth, an upper and a lower Tore, and a Scotia between them. Upon the Cornice stands the Shaft of the Pillar, which is about eleven Yards in Circumference. It consists of eight large Pieces of Marble; each of which is encircled at the Joints, with a Wreath of Laurel-Work, which covers the Cement of the Fissures. And if it had not been injured by Time, it would look like one entire Stone of Marble, and has therefore been thought so by some Historians, who have handed it down to Posterity, that it consisted only of one Piece of Marble, and ridicule the Ignorance and Injudiciousness of those, who, they tell you, have been imposed upon by the Wreaths of Brass, which were only added for the sake of Ornament. There’s nothing of these brazen Wreaths or Tores to be seen at present, the Pillar, to prevent its falling to pieces, being bound round with Iron Hoops. At the Top of the Pillar is carv’d the Name of the Emperor, who after the Statue was thrown down, lay’d the uppermost Stone of it. This Pillar bore some Resemblance to those mention’d by Athenæus, who writes, that there were some tall round Pillars erected in Ægypt, made after the same Manner. They were cover’d at the Fissures with circular Wreaths, alternately white and black, one below another. Their Capitals were also round, about which was a fine Sculpture of Roses just opening. There were no Flutings in these Pillars, nor any coarse Foliage (according to the Grecian Model) which enfolded it; but it was adorn’d with Dates, and the Fruit of young Lote Trees, and a Sculpture of all kind of Flowers. Below these, is an Expression of Ægyptian Beans, intermix’d with Flowers, and a Foliage which projects beyond the Fissure of the Capital. Thus it is that the Ægyptians make and adorn their Pillars; and in building their Walls, it is their constant Practice to lay alternately a Row of white over a Row of black Bricks. I have seen the same Method in building their Walls among the Persians and Syrians; the finest of which they built with Bricks, or Stones naturally variegated, the meaner sort they colour’d several ways with Paintings, and other Inventions of Art. The Wreaths or Tores beforemention’d, which were fix’d to the Pillar of Constantine, were carv’d, as some Writers tell us, to presignify the many Years Constantine should live, and the many Victories he should obtain over his Enemies. I believe the Design of the Sculptor was only to express, that the Laurel was sacred to Apollo, and that this ancient Pillar supported the Image of him made in a stupendous Size. However that may be, it is certain that Constantine order’d it to be call’d his own Statue, whether on the account of his many Victories, or whether he was better pleased with the Heathen Notion of that God than any other, so that when he demolish’d other Heathen Idols, he commanded the Statue of a Delphick Apollo, and his Tripos to be set up in the Hippodrom, as is observ’d by a German Orator, who address’d himself in a Panegyrick to Constantine, after the following Manner: When your Imperial Majesty turn’d down to the Temple of Apollo, the most stately, the most beautiful Building in the World, you saw your favourite God offering to you his Crowns, a happy Presage of Length of Days, and a Life extended beyond that of Nestor. You saw him, you gazed on his Features, and beheld your own Likeness in him; who, as the ancient Poets have sung, deserv’d the Empire of the World. That auspicious Period of Time seems to be now come, since you, like that God, are gay and youthful; like him salutary; like him a personable and a beautiful Prince.

If the Turk, whom I employ’d to climb the Pedestal, had follow’d my Directions, (while I was obliged to appear a mere accidental Spectator) and held his Pearch true, I had discover’d the lowest Stone of the Shaft, from a Notch he had cut in it, to have been nine Foot and four Digits high; and the Tore, which projected six Digits beyond it, to have been a Foot and a half broad, I mean the Tore at the Foot of the Shaft, so that every Stone was ten Foot nine Inches high. The Height therefore of all the eight Stones was about eighty six Foot and nine Inches. The whole Pillar was lengthen’d besides with an Abacus placed on the uppermost Stone, and below with a Pedestal and its Cornice, and four Marble Steps at the Bottom. The lowermost of these Steps is a Foot and six Digits high; the second of the same Height; the third and fourth, each of them a Foot and a half. There is no Discovery can be made, from what has been said, where this prodigious Column, or rather where this Colossus stood. For since neither Procopius, nor any other Historian of those Times, takes any Notice of the Forum call’d Πλακότον, where Zonaras, and other modern Writers say it was erected, I was in some Suspence, whether or no this was not the same with the Forum of Constantine. For it seem’d very probable to me, that Constantine had herein follow’d the Example of Trajan, in setting up his Statue in the Forum, which went by his own Name. But I was soon clear’d of this Difficulty, by the Authority of Socrates, (the Author of the Dissensions among Christians,) who writes, that they are one and the same Place; and that Arius, when he came near where the Forum of Constantine stood, expired with the falling of the Guts. But this is no less evident, if it be consider’d where the Palladium of Minerva stood; which, as Zonaras says, was convey’d by the Command of Constantine from Troy to the Placotum, and as Procopius adds, into the Forum of Constantine. The Hirpines, says he, report, that Diomedes met Æneas coming out of Troy, and that in Conformity to the Answer of the Oracle, he gave him the Image of Minerva, which he, with the Assistance of Ulysses, had formerly brought from Troy, when they went thither to consult the Oracle, how Troy might be taken. They add farther, that Diomedes being indisposed, and consulting the Oracle concerning his Recovery, it was foretold by it, that he would never be well, till he had given that Image to Æneas. The Romans pretend that they know nothing of this Image at present, yet they shew you an Image cut in Stone, which to this Day stands in the Eastern Part of the Temple of Fortune, before the Statue of Minerva. The Statue is carv’d in a War-like Posture, brandishing, as in Battle, a Spear, dress’d in a long Garment, not representing the Statue of Minerva, as she is figured by the Greeks, but as described by the Ægyptians. The Inhabitants tell you, that Constantine order’d this Statue, which was placed in the Forum, call’d by his own Name, to be bury’d under Ground. The Authorities that the Placoton and the Forum of Constantine are the same Place ought to be regarded, because it is impossible to come to the Knowledge of four of the Wards without them; for the third Ward contains the Tribunal of the Forum of Constantine; the sixth reaches from the Forum of Constantine, to the Stairs against Sycæ, where is erected the Pillar of Constantine. The seventh extends itself with continual Portico’s from the Right Hand Side of the Pillar of Constantine to the Forum of Theodosius, and the eighth contains part of the Forum of Constantine. When I was ask’d by some Gentlemen who were curious that way, how Constantine came by that Palladium, I answer’d, that I was at an Uncertainty as to that. For Zonaras’s Opinion of its being brought from Troy did not look very probable, since Troy was destroy’d so many Ages before it; and Strabo is hard put to it to trace out the Place of its Situation. The Story of its being brought from ancient Rome seems very improbable, since it was often destroy’d by Fire, and the Inhabitants were entirely ignorant where it originally stood. Yet the Latin Historians tell us, that Diomedes presented it to Æneas, that it was kept for some time at Lavinium, and that it was afterwards removed to Rome, and set up in the Temple of Vesta. The Greek Historians are of another Opinion. Among these, Pausanias, who wrote in the Time of Adrian, tells us, that it was held the most sacred of any Thing in Athens, that it fell down from Heaven, that it was consecrated by the Advice of all the Senators, and placed in the Citadel of Athens. There has been some Dispute, whether it was made of Wood or Brass, and whether it was a Figure or a Shield. Some say, that it was a sacred Shield, such as they had at Rome. Dion and Diodorus think otherwise, and tell us, that it was an Image made of Wood, three Cubits high, that it fell from Heaven into Pessinus, a City of Phrygia, holding in her right Hand a Spear, in her left a Spindle and a Distaff. To me it seems to have been the Image of Pallas, whose Statue, whenever it was placed, was call’d the Palladium. Procopius asserts, that the Statue which the Romans shew in the Temple of Minerva, is not cut after the Grecian Manner. For they carve her, as was mention’d before, in a fighting Posture, with a Spear in her Hand, denoting by the Spear, her Courage; by her Shield, her Wisdom, which repels all Attacks: She is cover’d with a Helmet, to intimate, that the Height of Wisdom is not to be seen and discover’d: She bears an Olive-Tree as affording Matter of Light; and upon her Breast is cut a Medusa, to illustrate the Quickness of Thought, and the surprizing Agility of the Mind. She had also a Breast-Plate, on which was the Figure of a Night-Owl and a Gorgon. The Night-Owl was an Emblem of the Depth of Prudence and Conduct; for Wisdom dives into the Secrets and Darknesses of Nature. I wish the divine Palladium may guard all those, who shall in future Times attempt the same Travels as I have done, and pray that they may be defended, as I have been, by that good Providence, and that heavenly Wisdom, the Wisdom of the Father, which amidst all the Treacheries and Insults of a barbarous People, and the almost incredible Dangers of a long Voyage, did not only support and strengthen, but did animate, enliven, and refresh me.

Chap. IV.

Of the Senate-House; the Nympheum; the Statues of the Forum of Constantine; of the Philadelphium; the Musæum; the Labarum and Syparum; of the Death of Arius; of the Temples of Tellus, Ceres, Persephone; of Juno and Pluto.

THE Porphyry Pillar, and the Senate-House, is placed by the Author of the Ancient Description of the Wards, in the sixth Ward, and the Nympheum in the fifth; but he does not tell us, how near they stood to one another. That they stood at a very little Distance, is evident both from Zonaras and Cedrinus, who write, that the Fire which happen’d in the Reign of Leo, burnt down the Senate-House on the North Side of the Forum of Constantine, which was adorn’d with Statues of Brass and Porphyry Marble, in which was placed the Porta of Diana of the Ephesians, a Present of Trajan, taken from the Scythians, containing a Description of the Wars of the Giants, a Jupiter arm’d with Thunder, Neptune with his Trident, Apollo with his Darts and Quiver. In the lower Part of the Porta were figured the Giants attacking the Dragons, tossing large Clods of Earth, and looking in a fierce and a stern Manner. Hither it was that the principal Men of the City usually convened freely to debate of the important Affairs of the Government, whither also the Emperor himself came in Procession, when he receiv’d the Consular Robes. It was a very noble and magnificent Building. The same Authors mention another spacious Edifice situate against it, which was consumed by the same Fire, and was call’d the Nympheum, because the Marriage Rites were perform’d in this Place, as being capacious enough to hold the numerous Assemblies which attended those Solemnities. They add farther, that on the West Side of the same Forum was placed a Statue of Minerva of Lyndus. She had a Helmet on her Head, and a Shield in her Hand, on which was figured Medusa with Snakes and Adders entwin’d round her Neck; for in this Manner the ancient Statuaries usually carv’d Minerva. On the East Side of it was placed the Statue of an Amphitrite, one of the Syrens, having her Temples encircled with Crabs Claws. The unknown Author of the History of Constantinople says, that on the same Side of the Forum were placed the Statues of several Syrens, which were call’d by some Sea-Horses; three of which, he tells you, were remaining in his Time, at a Place in the Suburbs call’d St. Mamas. On the North Side of the Forum was erected upon a lofty Pillar a Figure of that Cross which Constantine saw in the Heavens. This is confirm’d by the Authority of most Historians, but principally by Eusebius, who although he is not express as to his setting it up in the Forum of Constantine, yet as his Authority is not to be disputed, when he asserts, that he set it up in Old Rome in the Heart of the City, ’tis reasonable to believe that he did so at Constantinople, since the same Writer assures us, that he set up a true Representation of the same Cross in all his finest buildings, and in the most remarkable Places of Constantinople. In Memory of which, as Sozomen writes, Constantine chang’d the most famous and most honourable War-like Standard among the Romans, which was always bore before their Princes, and to which the Soldiers were obliged by Law to pay divine Adoration, into the Ensign of the Cross, to bring them off from their heathenish Rites, and idolatrous Worship. Prudentius, upon this Occasion, has the following Lines:

Eusebius writes, that he saw the same Expression of the Christian Standard in his Time. There was, says he, a tall Spear which was transvers’d near the Top with a short piece of Wood, in the Figure of a Cross at the Top of which was a Crown made of precious Stones, and curiously wrought with Gold, in the Middle of which were embroider’d the two initial Letters of Jesus Christ, with the Greek Letter X, in the Form of a Cross. The Ensign or Standard was fix’d to the transverse Part of the Spear. From this Description of Eusebius, the Difference between what was then called the Labarum and Syparum seems to be this; that the Labarum signifies only a longer Piece of Wood transversed near the Top with a short Piece, and that the Syparum is the Veil, or Flag, which falls down from the transverse Part. The Religion of the old Romans was purely military, they worshipp’d their Standards, and swore by them; which Custom was abolish’d, upon the introducing the Christian Standard.

I hope the Reader will pardon me, if I here go a little out of my way, to vindicate the Story of Constantine’s seeing the Cross in the Heavens, from the Charge of Fiction and Imposture. There is scarce any Miracle, in my Opinion, which seems to be better attested than this, or which is capable of being confirm’d by more Eye-witnesses; for Eusebius, who lived in those Times, writes, that it was not only seen by Constantine himself, but also by his whole Army, and that too in the Middle of the Day; and adds, that the Truth of the Fact was not only believed by the Christians, but by those who were Enemies to the Cross of Christ. So prevalent was the Report of this Miracle, that the Inhabitants testify in the triumphal Arch, which they dedicated to Constantine, that he conquer’d Maxentius by the immediate Direction and Assistance of the Divinity, although but a little before many of them were of Maxentius’s Party, and Enemies to the Christian Name: So that they did not, in that triumphal Arch, made in Honour of Constantine, change the Form of the Cross into that of our Saviour’s, but order’d it to be figur’d with such Sculptures and Expressions, as were carv’d on the Arches of Trajan, Severus, and other Roman Emperors, as appears by some such Monuments of Antiquity as are at present to be seen at Rome. I cannot conclude with so much Certainty, that Nazarius was a Christian, because his Daughter Euphemia was such, as I can, from his panegyrical Address to Constantine. ’Tis the general Discourse among the Gauls, says he, that there was an Angelick Host seen in the Air, and that they were sent by God; and although Things of a celestial Nature are imperceptible by human Sight, because a simple and incompounded Substance is not properly the Object of our Senses; yet, as he proceeds, these your auxiliary Forces of Heaven, who are cloath’d with visible Appearances, attended upon you, as Witnesses of your great Merits, and then withdrew into their etherial Mansions. But of what Species of the Creation were these exalted Spirits? Of what Firmness and Vigour of Body; of what Largeness of Limbs? Their glittering Shields blaz’d in an awful Manner, and the Splendour of their celestial Armour was terrible: They march’d in such formidable Array, that they seem’d to wait on you as your Guards. This was the Language which was heard among them: We are flying to the Assistance of Constantine. Beings of a heavenly Nature may be allow’d to triumph, and there’s an Ambition which becomes them. This noble Army of Spirits who descended from above, were sent down by Omnipotence itself, and gloried that they fought for you. But I shall add nothing farther of our Author, and shall only observe, that some Historians take Notice, that this large Cross was plac’d upon a gilded Column in the Philadelphium, which was the Poets College, and, as the following Inscription shews, was built near the Porphyry Pillar.

Upon the Porphyry Pillar in the Philadelphium.

And another thus.

And again.

Julian, the Prefect of the City, set up a gilded Statue of Anastasius before the College of the Poets, on which was inscribed a Couple of elegant Verses; yet no Mention is made in them, in what Part of the City this College was built. When a Report was made to Manuel the Emperor, that from antient Times, on the West Side of the Forum of Constantine, there had stood in the Nich of the Wall two female Statues made of Brass, one a Roman, the other an Hungarian Woman; and that the Statue of the Roman Woman projected, by Reason of its Craziness, beyond its Base, and the Statue of the Hungarian Woman stood fixed in its Station; he sent some Workmen to erect the Roman, and demolish the Hungarian Statue, thinking by this Means, that the Affairs of New-Rome would take a new Turn of Prosperity and Success. In the same Forum, among other elegant Statues of famous Men, was the Statue of Longinus, who had been Prefect of the City, on which was cut the following Inscription, made by Arabius.

I shall take no Notice of the Statue of Themistius the Philosopher, plac’d near the Forum of Constantine, whom Valentinian had dignified with the Title of Prefect of the City, and to whom the Emperor Valens had done more Honour by his Writings, than any Statue or high Station whatsoever. Socrates gives us the following Account of the Death of Arius, the Ring-leader of the Sect of the Arians. Arius, says he, when he had made his Appearance before Constantine the Great, at his coming out of the Palace, attended by the Life-Guards, of which Eusebius was Commander, and passing thro’ the City, gaz’d at by Crowds of People; when he came near the Porphyry Pillar in the Forum of Constantine, and being informed upon Enquiry, where there was a Privy, he repairs thither under a strange Terror and Despondency of Mind, where being oppressed with an uncommon falling of the Bowels, his strait Gut fell from him, which was followed by a large Effusion of Blood, which brought away his small Guts, his Liver, and his Spleen, so that he died instantly. The same Author adds, that this Privy was standing in his Time. There is nothing however remaining at present in the Forum of Constantine, but the Porphyry Pillar, for the Ground of it is wholly rebuilt upon. Near the Pillar there stands a Caravansera, or a Place built for the Entertainment of Strangers; and near that, a Turkish Mosque, built by Hali Bassa, the Vestibule or Porch of which is large, made of Marble, and adorned with six shining Pillars, four of white, and two of Thebaick Marble; the Shafts of which measure at the bottom of them seven Foot and four Digits in Circumference. These, tho’ they are very tall Columns, have each of them, according to the Turkish Manner, two Bases; the lowermost of which was Marble, and the other Brass. This Way of Building they learned from the Greeks, who generally raised their Pedestals with a very high Cornice. Not far from this Mosque there stands a School, or College, inhabited by the Professors of the Mahometan Divinity. There’s a quadrangular Portico runs round it, which is supported with eighteen Pillars, Part of which consist of green, and Part of white Marble. A little below that of Ali-Bassa stands another Mosque. ’Tis seated on the highest Eminence of the second Valley, and has a Marble Vestibule, adorned with six Columns; two of which are made of Porphyry Marble variegated, two of white Marble with Sky coloured Streaks, and two of a dark green Marble stained with White. From some Things, which, as I remarked before, stood on the second Hill, you discover the Situation of Part of the third Ward, (in which was built the Tribunal of the Forum of Constantine) and almost all the fifth and sixth Ward. I would observe also in this Place, that Dionysius places the Temples of Tellus, Ceres, Proserpina, Juno and Pluto, partly on the Eminencies of the second Hill, and partly on the Plain on the Sea-Shore below it. He places the Temple of Tellus in particular beyond the Bay, without the Walls of Old Byzantium. He tells us, That this Temple is open at Top, to shew the Freedom of the Earth in her Productions, and that the Walls of it are built of a fine polished Stone. He adds farther, That above the Temple of Tellus, stood the Temples of Ceres and Proserpina, which were beautified with a large Collection of fine Paintings, the curious Reliques of preceding Times, and with Statues no Ways inferior to them, finished in the most elaborate Manner. The Temples of Juno and Pluto, he tells us, were situate where the Sea winds off from the Continent; and that nothing was remaining of them in his Time, but the Names of them only. He continues, That Cyrus in his Expedition against the Scythians, in Return of the Preparations made against him by the Byzantians, burnt down the Temple of Juno; and that Philip of Macedon, when he was carrying on the Siege of Byzantium, and wanted some Materials for that Purpose, demolished the Temple of Pluto; and that the Names of each of these Temples still continued: For the Temple of Pluto was called Acra Plutonis, as was the Temple of Juno called Acra Heræa; and lastly, that in these Temples, the Youth constantly at the Beginning and End of the Year, offered their Sacrifices. It will appear more probable, that these Acræ were seated on some Eminencies of the second Hill, rather than in the Plain below it, because there is not the least Appearance of either of them in that Place: So that when Dionysius records it, that these Acræ of Pluto and Juno, were situate very near the Sea-Shore, he must intend only that they were only the Points of some Dock, or Haven. If this be not his Meaning, the Acræ here mentioned ought to be interpreted the Sea-Shores; but I have enlarged more fully on this Matter in my Treatise of the Bosporus.

Chap. V.

Of the Seventh Ward.

THE Antient Description of the Wards tells us, that the Situation of the seventh Ward, in Comparison with the sixth, is more upon the Level, altho’ at the Extremity of one of its Sides, it falls with a greater Declivity into the Sea; and from hence I concluded, that there could be little Difficulty in discovering where this Ward stood. But this Description of it is not peculiar to it, but common also to other Wards. For as to what the Author adds, that this Ward stretches it self with very long Portico’s from the Right Hand of the Pillar of Constantine, to the Forum of Theodosius; as it does also on the other Side of it down to the Sea-Shore, extended in the same Manner: I could make no more Observations from this Account of it, than I could from the Buildings which are mentioned to be contained in it, since the very Remembrance of them is entirely lost. I therefore considered with my self, what the Author might probably be understood to mean by the Right Hand of the Pillar of Constantine. In this Difficulty I had Recourse to Livy, who says, that Romulus has determined all the Wards, which reach from East to West, to be the Right Hand Wards, and all the Wards which extended from South to North to be Left Hand Wards. But I could not explain the Difficulty this Way; for by this Means I had made this Ward to stretch it self Southward; whereas I shall shew plainly in another Place, that it extended it self to the North. Nor could the Geographical Method give me any Light into this Matter; for when these Gentlemen take the Altitude of the Pole, they look full North, so that the East lies directly on their Right Hand. Varro, who has defined to an Exactness the four Parts of the Heavens, following the Astrological Scheme, has given me some Insight into this Matter: He tells us, that the South lies directly before us, and the North behind us, so that the East lies to the left Hand, and the West to the Right. I judged by this Division of the Heavens into four Parts, that the seventh Ward was situate Westward of the Pillar of Constantine; and yet was in Suspence, whether the Author of the Description followed the Division of Romulus, or that of the Astrologers. I was therefore under greater Hesitation than I was before, till after a diligent Enquiry I made a Discovery where the Column of Theodosius stood, and of some Footsteps of the Churches of Anastasia and Hirena, by which I perceived that the seventh Ward descended from the Top of the Promontory down to the Bay, and that this Author had described its Situation more distinctly, had he told us, that as you go from East to West, the seventh Ward extends it self on the right Hand, from the Pillar of Constantine, to the Forum of Theodosius. In this Ward antiently were erected several fine Buildings, which stood on the same Ground where the most famous Place of Merchandize in the City, by the Turks called Bezestan, or their Exchange, stands at present, and where the most valuable Goods of all Kinds are kept, as they were in the Reigns of the Christian Emperors, in the Building called the Lampterum, which I believe formerly stood in another Place. I am prevailed upon to be of this Opinion, when I consider the Ruines occasioned by the Fire, which happened in the Reign of Justinian; and which, as Cedrinus relates, destroyed, among other Edifices, the Church of St. Sophia, the Place where they kept the Records of it, the Octogon, the Baths of Zeuxippus, and the famous Structure of the Lampterum, so called, by reason of the Lights burning there every Night. This Building was roofed with Wood, where the most costly Commodities, such as Silks, Velvets, and the richest Brocades were reposited. In short, this Fire consumed every Thing, which the former Fire had spar’d. I might not improperly have called it λαμπτῆρες, which in Latin signifies Lucernæ, as ’tis confirmed by the Authorities of Livy and Pliny.

Chap. VI.

Of the Street called Taurus, the Forum of Theodosius, the Pillar of Theodosius with Winding Stairs, of the Tetrapylum, the Pyramidical Engine of the Winds, the Statues of Arcadius and Honorius, of the Churches of Hirena and Anastasia, and the Rocks called Scyronides.

WHEN I was quite out of Heart as to Discovery of the seventh Ward, and the Taurus, without which no Discovery could be made of the eighth Ward, I made the best Enquiry I could after some other Buildings, which might lead me into the Knowledge of them. And after I had searched for the Situation of the Pillar of Theodosius for a considerable Time, I was informed by some antient Persons, that it stood on the Top of the Promontory, where the Plain of the third Hill extends it self, which is near the New Bagnio built by Bajazet the Emperor, who had demolished that Pillar above forty Years before I came to Byzantium, that he might build his Bagnio with more Convenience. Beyond that Bath, Northward, there is a broad Way, where there are three Booksellers Shops, and an antient Cistern; more towards the South is the Seraglio. This broad Way widens Eastward into a large Area, at the farther End of which is the Sepulchre of Bajazet the Emperor, with a Mosque, and a Caravansera. Cedrinus relates, that this Pillar of Theodosius is, in all Parts, like that which was erected by Arcadius, and is still standing in the Xerolophum, which I shall have Occasion to describe hereafter. Zonaras writes, that the Pillar in the Taurus, erected at the Expence of Theodosius, whereon were expressed the Trophies he took, and his well-fought Battles with the Scythians, and barbarous Nations, with his own Statue at the Top of it, was thrown down by an Earthquake, the same Year that Old Rome was taken. Anastasius the Emperor ordered many curious Pieces of Brass Workmanship to be demolished, and new cast into his own Statue. Among these was a famous Statue of Constantine the Great, which, with other Statues, made a large Equestrian Statue, which was gilded, dignified with his own Name and Title, and placed on the same Pillar, where before had stood the Statue of Theodosius. I would observe here by the By, that the Street called the Taurus was the same Place, where the Pillar of Theodosius stood; and from hence I would observe farther, that the seventh Ward stood on the Top and Sides of the third Hill. And although the seventh Ward does not contain the Forum of Theodosius, yet it is not improbable that it was but at a small Distance from it, not only if we consider how exactly Constantinople emulated Old Rome; but also, if any Dependence may be had on the Authority of Evagrius, who asserts, that the Fire which happened in the Reign of Leo, burnt down all the Edifices from the Forum of Constantine, to the Forum of Taurus. An antient Native of Constantinople informed me, that in his Time the Forum of Taurus, and the Pillar of Theodosius stood in the same Place, and that it was like the Hippodrom, full of wild and uncultivated Trees. And because it was only a Shelter for Thieves and Robbers, the Emperor Mahomet, who took the City, voluntarily bestowed the Ground on those who would build upon it. That the Forum Pistorium, or Bread-market, stood on Part of the Ground of the Forum of Theodosius, or at least was very near to it, I conjecture from Zonaras, who says, that as the Emperor Nicephorus Phocas was coming out of his Palace, situate at the Golden Fountain, and near the Porta Aurea, the People pursued him grievously with Railery and Invective from the Forum Pistorium, as far as the Pillar of Constantine. The unknown Author of the History of Constantinople is of the same Opinion, as to the Situation of the Taurus, and the Pillar, and tells us, That the Pillar stood in a paved Court, near the Forum Pistorium; and adds, that in the same Place there was a square Building, with four Gates, and four Portico’s round it, which he calls the Tetrapylum, which before was called Quatrivium. Cedrinus places the Tetrapylum not far from the Forum of Taurus, when he tells us, that the Fire in Leo’s Time, destroyed two large Churches, adorned with all Kinds of curious Stones; one not far from the Tetrapylum, the other adjoining to the Forum of Taurus. The same Author, speaking of another Fire, which happened in the same Emperor’s Reign, writes, that it consumed all the Buildings from the Tetrapylum, covered with Plates of Brass, to the Church. The Author of the Description of the Wards writes, that there was in Constantinople one gilded Tetrapylum, but does not mention in what Ward it stood. Johannes the Rhetorician (as he is cited by Evagrius) tells us, that in the Reign of Zeno the Emperor, one Mamianus, an eminent Senator, built at Constantinople some handsome Portico’s, and that between two of them he built a Tetrapylum, as a Boundary to both, which he splendidly adorned with Brass and Marble Pillars; and adds, that in his Time the Portico’s bore the Name of some Emperor, and that large Stones of Proconnesian Marble, the Reliques of their antient Beauty and Magnificence, lay on the Ground, but that there was not the least Sign of the Tetrapylum remaining. The unknown Author abovementioned says, that in this Tetrapylum, over the Pillars, there was a Chamber, where the Empress, and the Relations of the Emperor deceased, received the News of his Death; and having their Faces veiled, bewailed his Departure till six o’ Clock in the Evening, when meeting the Corpse passing by, they attended it to the Church of the Apostles, where they usually buried their Emperors. The Tetrapylum seems to me to have formerly been the Temple of Janus Quadrifrons, and stood near the Capitol. It had, like that of Old Rome, four Doors, denoting the four Seasons of the Year. For Janus takes his Name ab eundo, and therefore all Passages are said to be sacred to him, and the Doors of all Temples are called Januæ. Some Authors tell us, that in the Forum Pistorium there was a quadrilateral Pyramid. Cedrinus defines this Tetrasceles to be a quadrilateral Engine, invented to shew in what Point of the Compass the Wind stood, and adds, that Theodosius the Great erected a Machine in the Form of a Pyramid, adorned with several Figures of Animals, of Plants, of Fruits, of gilded Bunches of Pomegranates, and naked Cupids, in Basso Relievo. Some of these Cupids were cut in a gay smiling Humour, some of the Uppermost were wantoning, and playing their little Tricks with those who were below them, while others were dancing. There was carved upon it a Set of young Fellows playing upon brazen Pipes. On the Top of the Pyramid was a Vane, or Weathercock, which shewed in what Corner the Wind sat. The Statues of Arcadius and Honorius were placed near the Statue of Theodosius their Father; that of Arcadius in an Eastern, and that of Honorius in a Western Nich. Socrates, who has wrote the History of the Christians, tells us, that Valens the Emperor built out of the Ruines of Chalcedon, a large Aqueduct, which he brought into the City, and which supplied a very capacious Cistern, built by Clearchus, who was Prefect of Constantinople, and which, in his Time, was called the Cistern, or, as the original Word in Socrates seems more properly to signifie, the Lake of Theodosius. Zonaras and Cedrinus call this Lake a Nympheum, and add to the Authority of Socrates, that the Prefect of the City celebrated there a great Festival, and very splendidly entertained all the People. I would remark from these Citations, that the Place which Socrates calls the Forum of Theodosius, is called by Zonaras and Cedrinus, the Taurus, and that they are both the same Forum, and that the Nympheum here mentioned is different from the Nympheum which is situate near the Forum of Constantine, over against the Senate-House, and where they usually solemnized their Weddings, as has been observed before. The Author of the Antient Description, &c. writes, that the Carosian Bagnio’s were so called from Carosia, the Daughter of the Emperor Valens; but he does not tell us in what Part of the third Hill they stood, nor could I discover when I was at Constantinople, whether they are entirely in Ruines, and others built in the Room of them, (as there are very large ones at present on the Top and the Sides of the third Hill, which the Turks have built) or not. The same Author places the Churches of St. Hirena and Anastasia in the seventh Ward, but does not mention in what Part of it. Nor is it possible to find out their Situation, but from the Historical Accounts we have received of it, which say, that when the City was taken by the Franks and the Venetians, a Fire began at the Synagogue of the Saracens, in that Part of the City which declines towards the Sea Northward, very near to the Church of St. Hirena. That this Church stood within the Precinct of the Seraglio, I was first informed by some antient People of the City; I afterwards took Notice of a lofty Tower which stood without the Precinct of the Seraglio, which was situate on the East Side of the third Hill. It was a square Building, and is still called by the Vulgar Hirene; but whether it was the Church of St. Hirene, or the Empress Hirena, I cannot tell. I find among the Monuments of antient Learning, that there were three Churches at Constantinople dedicated to St. Hirena. The first was called the Old Church of St. Hirena, which, as Socrates writes, was built by Constantine the Great, and stood near the Church of St. Sophia. The second, I am now speaking of, stood on the third Hill; and the third, as Procopius says, was built by Justinian, at the Mouth of the Bay called Ceras, or Cornu, and was called the Church of St. Hirena the Martyr. Some Authors write, that the Church of Anastasia was built in that Place, where the new Bezestan, or new Basilica now stands: Others that it was situate near the Cistern, supported with Abundance of Marble Pillars, and stands between the Basilica’s of the Forum, and the Tomb, and Caravansera of Bajazet the Emperor. Sozomen writes, that when St. Gregory went from Nazianzum to Constantinople, he preached in a small Church built by his Auditors, which was afterwards very much enlarged by succeeding Emperors, and was also beautified and adorned in the most expensive Manner, and was called the Church of St. Anastasia. Whether it was so called, because St. Gregory by his Sermons preached in this Church had revived the Constitutions and Decrees of the Council of Nice; or whether, as he adds, it went by that Name, because a Woman big with Child, falling from the upper Gallery, and dying upon the Spot, was restored to Life again by the joint Prayers of the Congregation then present, I shall not determine. However ’tis plain from this Passage of Sozomen, that those Historians are grievously in the wrong, who say, that this Church was built in Memory of St. Anastasia, a Roman Saint. In my Treatise of the Thracian Bosporus, I have shewn, that on the North Side of the third Hill there rise some Rocks from the lowermost Eminencies of it, which were call’d Scironides, by those who first transplanted a Colony from Megara and Corinth, to Byzantium. These Rocks were so call’d, because of the Resemblance they bear to the Scironides, which grow between Corinth and Megara. I shall take the Freedom here just to mention what’s worth observing on the third Hill. On the Top of it stands the Tomb of Bajazet the Emperor, near a Caravansera, and a large Mosque which was built by him, after the Likeness of the Church of St. Sophia, which is roof’d with Brick-work, and cover’d with Lead. It has a large Porch or Vestibule, pav’d with white Marble, and is surrounded with four Portico’s, which are supported with Columns of the choicest Marble. In the Middle of it is a fine Fountain, which falls into a large Bason, which emits the falling Water through several little Cocks. The Mosque and Vestibule is surrounded on three Sides with a large Area, which is enclosed partly with Walls, and partly with a Caravansera; and on the fourth Side ’tis encompass’d with a Garden adjoining, in the Middle of which is the Tomb of Bajazet, in a small Edifice built in a cylindrick Form. On the Top of the third Hill stands the Seraglio, where the Emperor’s Concubines constantly reside; ’tis enclos’d with a high Wall, which, at my first Arrival at Constantinople, was more than two Miles in Compass. The present Emperor Solyman has taken up a Place in the Middle of this Precinct, where he is laying a Foundation for a Caravansera, and his future Sepulchre, which are now building with the most elegant Marble, brought from several Parts of the Turkish Dominions, so that you may see infinite Kinds of it lying about the Building, not lately dug out of the Quarry, but such as for many Ages has been used in the Palaces of several Princes and Emperors, not only at Byzantium, but in Greece, and all Ægypt. In the seventh Ward I saw three ancient Cisterns, not taken Notice of in the Description of the Wards; one in the Forum of Taurus, another between the Tomb of Bajazet and the Bezestan, both of which are supported with Marble Pillars. The third was built on a Clift of the third Hill, which faced the North, of which there are yet remaining six Corinthian Pillars, very large and tall, made of Arabian Marble, and curiously wrought. Below the Base of the Pedestal was lay’d an Earthen Pipe which convey’d Water into a Cistern made of Brick, whose Roof also, which is Brick-work, is supported with twenty square Brick Pillars. A little above the Cistern there was formerly a Court belonging to a Christian Church, which the Turks demolish’d, to repair and beautify their own Houses. On that Side of the Hill which extends itself Westward, there stands a Mosque, whose Vestibule is supported with twelve Pillars, six of which are of Arabian Marble. Above this Mosque there stands another, which is also supported with Pillars, and was formerly a Church dedicated to St. Theodorus. This however is not the same Church which Procopius says Justinian built in a Place call’d Rhessium. There is another Christian Church, now a Mosque, standing between the Seraglio, and the Tomb which the Emperor Solyman built for his Son Mahomet, which is incrusted with several Kinds of Marble, curiously variegated.

Chap. VII.

Of the eighth Ward, and the Hind-part of the third Hill.

I Cannot find by the Ancient Description of the Wards, that the eighth Ward was situate on the South Side of the third Hill, though it says, that the eighth Ward, on the Side of the Taurus, is not bounded by the Sea, and may be look’d upon to be rather a narrow than a broad Piece of Ground, though this Defect is sufficiently amended by its great Length. For by this Description of it, I am left altogether in Suspence, whether it lye North or South. But I discover the Situation of the eighth Ward from hence, that the Author of the Description tells us, that it contained part of the Forum of Constantine, and a Portico on the left Side of it, as far as the Taurus, and that the seventh Ward stretch’d itself from the right Hand of the Pillar of Constantine, to the Forum of Theodosius. I observe from these Authorities, that part of the Promontory, which reaches from Sea to Sea, situate between the Porphyry Pillar and the Taurus, was divided into the North and South Side, and that the Portico’s on the right and left extending themselves from the Pillar of Constantine to the Taurus, parted the seventh and eighth Ward, the former of which contain’d the right Hand Portico’s, and the latter, the left. There’s nothing to be seen of these Portico’s at present, but only the broad Way which runs from the Church of St. Sophia to the Land-Wall. This Ward contains also the Capitol, and the Basilica of Theodosius both of which, ’tis very probable, stood near the Pillar and Forum of Theodosius. It is no less evident from Zonaras and Cedrinus, that the Fire in Leo’s Time consumed the Senate-House, built for the Dispatch of publick Business by the great Council of the Empire, and for the Conveniency of the Emperor, when Consul, to preside over them. This Senate-House, as the same Authors add, had twelve Pillars curiously variegated, made of Trojan Marble, which were twenty five Foot high, the Roof of it being supported with four Arches. This House, according to these Writers, was about two hundred and forty Foot long, and a hundred and fifty Foot broad. I am inclin’d to believe, from what I have mention’d upon this Occasion, that it was either the Capitol, or the Basilica of Theodosius. For it is plain from modern Historians, that these two Structures, by whomsoever they were rebuilt after the Fire, lost their Names, and they tell us, that in the Taurus there was a Palace, and a Place for the Entertainment of Strangers. And these Authorities are strengthen’d by some ancient People of Constantinople, who attest, that in their Remembrance, near the Mint-House, where they now coin their Money, there stood a spacious Palace, inhabited, as some say, by Mahomet who took the City, before he built the great enclosed Palace which stands upon the first Hill, and that some of the Sultans have since beautified their Palaces out of the Ruins of the former. The Place of Entertainment, or rather the Church, which stood to the South-west of the Taurus, I saw entirely demolish’d, and the Pillars of it carried off, to build a Caravansera, which the Emperor Solyman erected in Memory of his Son, whom he dearly lov’d. I leave it to the Greek Priests to make the Enquiry, whether this was not the same with the Church of St. Paul, which stood in the seventh Ward, though I could never yet meet with one of them, who could give me Insight into this Matter.

Chap. VIII.

Of the ninth Ward; of the Temple of Concord; of the Granaries of Alexandria and Theodosius; of the Baths of Anastasia, of the House of Craterus; of the Modius, and the Temple of the Sun and Moon.

THAT the ninth Ward was situate behind the third Hill, partly on the Clifts which lye under the Ridge of it, and partly on those which lye at the Bottom of it, and partly on the Shore of the Propontis, extending itself as far as the Gardens call’d Blanchæ; I am convinced, among other Authorities, principally by the Author of the Description, &c. who says, that the ninth Ward is all a Declivity, and bounded by the Sea, as also from the Account he gives of the eighth Ward, which as it is not terminated on the Side of the Taurus, by any Part of the Sea, I have Reason to believe, took up the Plain on the Top of the third Hill, but not the Descents below it, and that the ninth Ward lies partly under the eighth, on that Side of it, which extends from the Taurus Southward towards the Sea of the Propontis, and was partly situate also on the two Declivities; one of which descends from the Taurus to South, South-west, the other from the Houses of the Janizaries to the South. You may also discover by the Situation of the Temple of Concord, where the ninth Ward stood, which though it be not expressly declared by the Author of the Description; yet Reason, and the Authority of other Writers, will lead us into that Discovery. For Evagrius, describing the Fire which happen’d in Leo’s Time, says, that it raged in a frightful Manner on the North Side of the City, from the Bosphorian Haven to the old Temple of Apollo; on the South, from the Port of Julian, to the Houses seated at a small Distance from the Temple of Concord; and in the Middle Part of the City, from the Forum of Constantine to the Taurus; and farther, that it extended itself in Length to the Distance of five Furlongs. From hence it is discoverable, that the Fire destroy’d all that Part of the ninth Ward, through which you may draw a strait Line from the Taurus to the Propontis. And this would evidently appear to any one, who would walk the five Furlongs from the Forum of Constantine to the Forum of Taurus, and there fix a Mark, and should afterwards walk Westward from the Port of Julian, through the Plain on the Sea Shore, to the Distance of five Furlongs more, and should there fix another Mark, and should compare that Mark with another fix’d at the Taurus, he would vary very little as to the Situation of the Temple of Concord. But that, and the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle are now entirely in Ruins. If we consider the Rules generally observed in Architecture, ’tis reasonable to believe, that the Granaries of Theodosius stood near the Port of Theodosius, which was situate in the Gardens now call’d Blanchæ. There was no Port either in the eighth or ninth Ward, but in that Part of the twelfth Ward which adjoins to the ninth, is the Port of Theodosius, of which I shall speak more largely hereafter. Above the Blanchæ to the North, there stands a Temple upon an Eminence, call’d Myreleos; in the Inside of which was a Cistern, the Roof of which is supported with about sixty Marble Pillars. In the Place of this Cistern there was formerly a Granary, which Suidas, though very improperly, calls Horeium. The Statue of Maimus, says he, who march’d his Army against the Scythians, stood in the Horeium, (which was before the House of Craterus, now of Myreleus) near the Modius, and the Brazen Hands. This Modius, or Bushel, was a settled Measure, or Standard, according to which they bought and sold their Corn. The Emperor Valentinian made a Law, that twelve Bushels should be sold at such a Sum; a certain Sea-faring Man, acting in Violation of this Law, forfeited his right Hand. This, they tell you, was the Reason why Valentinian order’d two brazen Hands to be set up in a Nich of some Place in the Amastrianum, and the brazen Bushel to be placed between them. Others say, that Valentinian commanded, that this Bushel should not be sold by the Strike, but in full Measure; and that a certain Offender lost both his Hands, for not observing this Order. Cedrinus writes, that some Places here were call’d the Amastrianum, from a sorry abandon’d Fellow, a Native of Amastrum, who laying under the deepest Scandal for cursing the Paphlagonians, and to escape the Punishment of Homicide, fled for Shelter to Constantinople. The same Author writes, that in the same Place there was a very large Temple of the Sun and Moon, where were carved, at the Charge of Phidalia, the Sun riding in a white Chariot, and the Moon as his Spouse sitting by him. Below these Figures, near the Ground, was cut a powerful Prince, prescribing the Rules of Obedience to his People. Near his Throne was carv’d a Jupiter, in a recumbent Posture, which was the Work of Phidias. If the House before mention’d was the House of the learned Craterus a Sophist, there was erected his Suggestum, or Desk, which has been celebrated in Verse by Julian the Ægyptian. Besides the Curiosities, the ninth Ward also contain’d the famous Baths of Anastasia, which took their Name, as Marcellinus says, from Anastasia the Sister of Constantine. Sozomen writes, that Marcian the Grammarian was Tutor to the two Daughters of the Emperor Valens, Anastasia and Carosia; and that the Baths which went by their Names, were standing in Constantinople in his Time.