The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Antiquities of Constantinople, by Pierre Gilles, Translated by John Ball

From Angeloni. J. Tinney Sculp.

THE
Antiquities
OF
CONSTANTINOPLE.
With a Description of its
SITUATION,
the Conveniencies of its
PORT,
its PUBLICK BUILDINGS,
the Statuary, Sculpture, Architecture,
and other
CURIOSITIES of that CITY.
With Cuts explaining the Chief of them.

In Four Books.
Written Originally in Latin by
Petrus Gyllius a Byzantine Historian.

Now Translated into English, and Enlarged with an Ancient Description of the Wards of that CITY, as they stood in the Reigns of Arcadius and Honorius.

With Pancirolus’s Notes thereupon.

To which is added
A large Explanatory Index.

By John Ball, formerly of C. C. C. Oxon.

LONDON.
Printed for the Benefit of the Translator, 1729.

J. Tinney Sculp.

TO
Richard Banner, Esq;
OF
PERRY-HALL,
IN THE
County of STAFFORD.

Sir,

No sooner had my Inclinations prevail’d upon me to publish this Author, but my Gratitude directed me where I should make the Dedication. These Labours are yours by many Obligations. Your Services to me demand them, you have express’d a particular Esteem for Pieces of this Kind, you have assisted me with a valuable Collection of Books in the Translation of them, and you have encourag’d the Performance by the Interest of your Friends; so that if there be any Merit in the Publication of it, ’tis you who are entitled to it.

The Knowledge of Antiquity was always look’d upon as a Study worthy the Entertainment of a Gentleman, and was never in higher Estimation among the Nobility and Gentry of Great Britain than it is now. And this Regard which the present Age pays to it, proceeds from a wise Discernment, and a proportionable Value of Things. For we never entertain our Curiosity with more Pleasure, and to better Purposes, than by looking into the Art, and Improvement, and Industry of antient Times, and by observing how they excited their Heroes and great Men to virtuous and honourable Actions by the Memorials of Statuary and Sculpture; the silent Records of their Greatness, and the lasting History of their Glory.

The great Discoveries made of late, and publish’d by a ASociety of Gentlemen, united in the Search of Antiquity, will be lasting Monuments of their Fame in future Times, and will be look’d upon as Arguments of an ingenious Curiosity, in looking into the delectable Situations of Places, in preserving the beautiful Ruines of Antient Buildings, and in setting Chronology in a truer Light, by the Knowledge of Coins and Medals.

But, Sir, what I principally intend in this Dedication, is to do Justice to Merit, and to acquaint the World, That you never look’d upon Licentiousness, and Infidelity, to be any Part of the Character of a fine Gentleman, That Virtue does not sit odly upon Men of a superior Station, and That in you we have an Example of one, who has Prudence enough to temper the innocent Freedoms of Life with the Strictnesses of Duty, and Conduct enough to be Merry, and not Licentious, to be Sociable, and not Austere; a Deportment this, which sets off your Character beyond the most elaborate Expressions of Art, and is not to be describ’d by the most curious Statue, or the most durable Marble. I am, Sir, with very great Regard,

Your most Oblig’d,
And most Obedient Servant,

John Ball.

THE
PREFACE
OF THE
TRANSLATOR.

IT is customary upon a Translation to give some Account both of the Author, and his Writings. The Author Petrus Gyllius, as he stands enroll’d among the Men of Eminency, and Figure in polite Learning, I find to be a Native of Albi, in France. He was in great Reputation in the sixteenth Century, and was look’d upon as a Writer of so good a Taste, and so comprehensive a Genius, that there was scarce any thing in the polite Languages, which had escap’d him. As he had a particular Regard for Men of distinguished Learning, so was he equally honour’d, and esteem’d by them. Francis the First, King of France, the great Patron of Literature, and who was also a good Judge of his Abilities, sent him into Italy, and Greece, to make a Collection of all the choice Manuscripts which had never been printed, but in his Passage it was his Misfortune to be taken by the Corsairs. Some Time after, by the Application and Generosity of Cardinal d’Armanac, he was redeem’d from Slavery. The just Sense this munificent Patron had of his Merit, incited him, when my Author had finish’d more than fourty Years Travels over all Greece, Asia, and the greatest Part of Africa, in the Search of Antiquity, to receive him into his Friendship, and Family; where, while he was digesting, and methodizing his Labours for the Service of the Publick, he dy’d in the Year 1555, and in the 65ᵗʰ Year of his Age.

Although it was his Intention to have published all the Learned Observations he had made in his Travels, yet he liv’d to give us only a Description of the Bosporus, Thrace, and Constantinople, with an Account of the Antiquities of each of those Places. In his Search of what was curious he was indefatigable, and had a perfect Knowledge of it in all its Parts. He had also translated into Latin Theodore’s Commentaries on the Minor Prophets, and sixteen Books of Ælian’s History of Animals. Petrus Belonius is highly reflected upon, in that being his Domestick, and a Companion with him in his Travels, he took the Freedom to publish several of his Works under his own Name: And indeed such a flagrant Dishonesty in acting the Plagiary in so gross a manner, was justly punish’d with the most severe Censures; since it had been Merit enough to have deserv’d the Praises of the Learned World for Publishing such valuable Pieces, with an honourable Acknowledgment of the Author of them.

I have no Occasion to vindicate the Worth and Credit of my Author, whose Fame will live, and flourish, while the Characters given him by Gronovius, Thuanus, Morreri, Tournefort, and Montfaucon are of any Weight. These Great Men have recorded him to future Times, for his deep Insight into Natural Knowledge, his unweary’d Application to the Study of Antiquity, and his great Accuracy and Exactness in Writing.

In the following Treatise, the Reader has before him a full and lively View of one of the most magnificent Cities in the Universe; stately, and beautiful in its Natural Situation, improv’d with all the Art and Advantages of fine Architecture, and furnished with the most costly Remains of Antiquity; so that New Rome, in many Instances of that Kind, may seem to excell the Old.

I hope my Author will not be thought too particular and exact in describing the several Hills and Vales, upon which Constantinople stands, when it is consider’d, that he is delineating the Finest Situation in the World.

The Manner in which he treats on this Subject is very entertaining; and his Descriptions, though with the greatest Regard to Truth, are embellish’d with a Grace and Beauty, almost Poetical. This, I look upon it, was occasion’d by the agreeable Variety of delightful Prospects and Situations, which the Subject naturally led him to describe.

The present State of Constantinople, I mean as to the Meanness and Poverty of its Buildings, is attested by all those, who have either seen, or wrote concerning it; so that ’tis not Now to be compar’d with it self, as it stood in its Antient Glory. The Turks have such an Aversion to all that is curious in Learning, or magnificent in Architecture, or valuable in Antiquity, that they have made it a Piece of Merit, for above 200 Years, to demolish, and efface every thing of that Kind; so that this Account of the Antiquities of that City given us by Gyllius, is not only the Best, but indeed the Only collective History of them.

In tracing out the Buildings of Old Byzantium, the antient Greek Historians, which he perfectly understood, were of great Service to him; this, with his own personal Observations, as residing for some Years at Constantinople, furnish’d him with Materials sufficient for the present History.

The Curious, who have always admir’d the Accuracy of this Work of Gyllius, have yet been highly concern’d, that it wanted the Advantage of Cuts, by which the Reader might have the agreeable Pleasure of surveying with the Eye, what my Author has so exactly describ’d with the Pen.

I have therefore endeavour’d to supply this Defect, by presenting to the View of the Reader a Collection of Figures, which do not only refer to such Curiosities as be will find mention’d in the several Parts of my Author, but such as have been describ’d by other later Travellers; and by this Means I hope I have given a compleat View of whatsoever is most remarkable in the Antiquities of Constantinople. The Catalogue and Order of the Cuts is as follows;

I. The Thracian Bosporus, with the Situation of Constantinople, as antiently divided into Wards; from Du Fresne.

II. A Delineation of that City, as it stood in the Year 1422, before it was taken by the Turks; from the same.

III. The Ichnography, or Plan of the Church of Sancta Sophia; from the same.

IV. The whole View of the Church of Sancta Sophia; from the same.

V. The outside Prospect of that Church; from the same.

VI. The inside View of it; from the same.

VII. The Plan of the Church of the Apostles; from Sir George Wheler.

VIII. The antient Hippodrom, with the Thebæan Obelisk, and the Engines by which it was erected; from Spon and Wheler.

IX. The Three Pillars, viz. the Serpentine and Porphyry Pillars, standing in the Hippodrom, as described by Gyllius, with the Pillar of the Emperor Marcian, since discover’d by Spon and Wheler in a private Garden; from B. Randolph.

X. The Historical Pillar, described by Gyllius, and since by Tournefort; from Du Fresne.

XI. A View of the Seraglio Point, with a Representation of the present Imperial Palace, and the Church of Sancta Sophia; from B. Randolph.

When this Impression was almost finished, a learned Gentleman of the University of Oxon, to whom my best Acknowledgments are due, communicated to me a valuable Passage, relating to the Statues of Constantinople, demolished by the Romans, which he transcribed from the Second Book of Nicetas Choniat, a MS. in the Bodl. Lib. I have added a Translation of it by way of Appendix; and I presume that the Reader will look upon it as a curious and an agreeable Entertainment.

CONTENTS.

THE Preface of the Author, describing the Situation of Constantinople, the Conveniencies of its Port, and the Commodities in which it abounds,

Page 1

1

THE
PREFACE
OF THE
AUTHOR,

Describing the Situation of Constantinople, the Conveniences of its Port, and the Commodities in which it abounds.

Constantinople is situated after such a Manner in a Peninsula, that ’tis scarce bounded by the Continent; for on three Sides ’tis inclosed by the Sea. Nor is it only well fortified by its natural Situation, but ’tis also well guarded by Forts, erected in2 large Fields, extending from the City at least a two Day’s Journey, and more than twenty Miles in Length. The Seas that bound the Peninsula are Pontus, or the Black Sea, the Bosporus, and the Propontis. The City is inclosed by a Wall formerly built by Anastasius. ’Tis upon this Account that being secured as it were by a double Peninsula, she entitles her self the Fortress of all Europe, and claims the Preheminence over all the Cities of the World, as hanging over the Straits both of Europe and Asia. For besides other immense Advantages peculiar to it, this is look’d upon as a principal Convenience of its Situation, that ’tis encompassed by a Sea abounding with the finest Harbours for Ships; on the South by the Propontis, on the East by the Bosporus, and on the North by a Bay full of Ports, which can not only be secured by a Boom, but even without such a Security, can greatly annoy the Enemy. For the Walls of Constantinople and Galata straitning its Latitude into less than half a Mile over, it has often destroy’d the Enemies Ships by liquid Fire, and other Instruments of War. I would remark farther, that were it secured according to the Improvements of modern Fortification, it would be the strongest Fortress in the World; viz. if the four ancient Ports, formerly inclosed within its Walls by Booms, were rebuilt; two of which (being not only the Ornament, but the Defence of old Byzantium) held out a Siege against Severus for the Space of three Years; nor could it ever be obliged to a Surrender, but by Famine only. For besides the Profits 3and Advantages it receives from the Propontis and Ægean Sea, it holds an absolute Dominion over the Black Sea; and by one Door only, namely by the Bosporus, shuts up its Communication with any other part of the World; for no Ship can pass this Sea, if the Port thinks fit to dispute their Passage. By which means it falls out, that all the Riches of the Black Sea, whether exported or imported, are at her Command. And indeed such considerable Exportations are made from hence of Hydes of all Kinds, of Honey, of Wax, of Slaves, and other Commodities, as supply a great Part of Europe, Asia and Africa; and on the other hand, there are imported from those Places such extraordinary Quantities of Wine, Oil, Corn, and other Goods without Number, that Mysia, Dacia, Pannonia, Sarmatia, Mæotis, Colchis, Spain, Albania, Cappadocia, Armenia, Media, Parthia, and both Parts of Scythia, share in the great Abundance. ’Tis for this Reason, that not only all foreign Nations, if they would entitle themselves to any Property in the immense Wealth of the Black Sea, but also all Sea Port and Island Towns are obliged to court the Friendship of this City. Besides, ’tis impossible for any Ships to pass or repass, either from Asia or Europe, but at her Pleasure, she being as it were the Bridge and Port of both those Worlds; nay, I might call her the Continent that joins them, did not the Hellespont divide them. But this Sea is thought, in many Respects, to be inferior to that of Constantinople; first, as it is much larger, and then, as not having a Bay as that has, by which its City might be made a Peninsula, and a commodious Port for Ships: 4And indeed if it had such a Bay, yet could it reap no Advantage of Commerce from the Black Sea, but by the Permission of the People of Constantinople. Constantine at first began to build a City upon Sigeum, a Promontory hanging over the Straits of the Hellespont; but quitting that Situation, he afterwards pitch’d upon a Promontory of Byzantium. Troy, I acknowledge, is a magnificent City, but they were blind, who could not discover the Situation of Byzantium; all stark blind, who founded Cities within View of it, either on the Coast of the Hellespont, or the Propontis; which though they maintain’d their Grandeur for some Time, yet at present are quite in Ruins, or have only a few Streets remaining, and which, if they were all rebuilt, must be in Subjection to Constantinople, as being superior in Power to all of them. Wherefore we may justly entitle her the Key, not only of the Black Sea, but also of the Propontis and the Mediterranean Sea. Cyzicus (now called Chazico) is highly in Esteem, for that it joins by two Bridges the Island to the Continent, and unites two opposite Bays, and is, as Aristides informs us, the Bond of the Black, and the Mediterranean Sea; but any Man, who has his Eyes in his Head, may see, that ’tis but a very weak one. The Propontis flows in a broad Sea, between Cyzicus and Europe; by which Means as a Passage is open into both Seas, though the People of Cyzicus should pretend to dispute it; so they on the other hand, should the People of Hellespont or Constantinople contest it with them, could have no Advantage of the Commerce of either of those Seas. I shall say nothing at present of Heraclea, Selymbria, and Chalcedon, seated 5on the Coast of the Propontis, anciently Cities of Renown, both for the Industry of their Inhabitants, and the Agreeableness of their Situation; but they could never share in the principal Commodities of other Towns of Traffick, in the Neighbourhood of the Port of Constantinople, which was always look’d upon as impregnable. The Harbours of those Cities have lain for a considerable time all under Water, so that they were not of sufficient Force to sail the Bosporus and the Hellespont, without the Permission of the Inhabitants of those Places: But the Byzantians rode Masters of the Black Sea, in Defiance of them all. Byzantium therefore seems alone exempted from those Inconveniencies and Incapacities which have happen’d to her Neighbours, and to many other potent and flourishing Cities, which for several Years having lain in their own Ruins, are either not rebuilt with their ancient Grandeur, or have changed their former Situation. All its neighbouring Towns are yet lost: There is only the Name of Memphis remaining. Whereas Babylon, seated in its Neighbourhood, from a small Fort, is become a large and populous City; and yet neither of them is so commodious as Constantinople. I shall take no Notice of Babylon in Assyria, who, when she was in her most flourishing State, had the Mortification to see a City built near her, equal in Largeness to her self: Why is not Alexandria rebuilt, but because she must support her self more by the Industry of her People, than the Agreeableness of her Situation? ’Twas the Sanctity of St. Peter, and the Grandeur of the Roman Name, that contributed more to the 6rebuilding old Rome, than the natural Situation of the Place itself, as having no Convenience for Ships and Harbours. I pass by in Silence Athens and Lacedæmon, which were more remarkable for the Learning and resolute Bravery of their People, than the Situation of their City. I omit the two Eyes of the Sea Coast, Corinth and Carthage, both which falling into Ruins at the same Time, were first repaired by Julius Cæsar; afterwards, when they fell entirely to decay, nobody rebuilt them: And though Carthage is seated in a Peninsula with several Havens about it, yet in no part of it are there two Seas which fall into each other: For though Corinth may be said to lie between two Seas, and is call’d the Fort of Peloponnesus, the Key and Door of Greece; yet is it so far from uniting in one Chanel two Seas, or two Bays adjoining to the Peninsula, that she was never able to make Head against the Macedonians or Romans, as Cyzico and Negropont did; the one by its well built Forts and other War-like Means, and the other by the Strength of its natural Situation. But Constantinople is the Key both of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, which alone, by the best Skill in Navigation, nay though you were to make a Voyage round the World, you will find to meet only in one Point, and that is, the Mouth of the Port. I shall say nothing of Venice, which does not so much enclose the Sea for proper Harbours, as ’tis enclosed by it, and labours under greater Difficulties to keep off the Swellings and Inundations of the Seas, than unite them together. I pass by the Situations of the whole Universe, wherever there are, have, or shall 7be Cities; in none of them shall you find a Port abounding with so many and so great Conveniencies, both for the Maintenance of its Dominion over the Seas, and the Support of Life, as in this City. It is furnish’d with Plenty of all manner of Provisions, being supply’d with Corn by a very large Field of Thrace, extending itself, in some Parts of it, a Length of seven Days, and in others, of a more than twenty Days Journey. I shall say nothing of Asia adjoining to it, abounding with the greatest Fruitfulness both of Corn and Pasture, and the best Conveniencies for their Importation from both Seas. And as to the immense Quantity of its Wines, besides what is the Product of its own Soil, it is furnish’d with that Commodity from all the Coasts of the Bosporus, the Propontis, and the Hellespont, which are all well stock’d with Vineyards; and without the Danger of a long Voyage, Constantinople can, at her Pleasure, import the choicest Wines of all Kinds, and whatever else may contribute to her own Gratification and Delight. ’Tis for this Reason that Theopompus gives her this Character, That ever since she became a Mart-Town, her People were wholly taken up, either in the Market, in the Port, or at Taverns, giving themselves up entirely to Wine. Menander, in his Comedy Auletris, tells us, that Constantinople makes all her Merchants Sots. I bouze it, says one of his Actors, all Night; and upon my waking after the Dose, I fancy I have no less than four Heads upon my Shoulders. The Comedians play handsomely upon them, in giving us an Account, that when their City was besieged, their General had 8no other Way to keep his Soldiers from deferring, but by building Taverns within the Walls; which, tho’ a Fault proceeding from their popular Form of Government, yet at the same time denotes to us the great Fruitfulness of their Soil, and the great Plenty they have of Wine. They who have been Eye-witnesses can best attest, how well they are provided with Flesh, with Venison and Fowls, which they might share more abundantly, but that they are but indifferent Sportsmen. Their Markets are always stored with the richest Fruits of all Kinds. If any Objection be made to this, I would have it consider’d, what Quantities the Turks use, after hard Drinking, to allay their Thirst. And as to Timber, Constantinople is so plentifully supply’d with that, both from Europe and Asia, and will in all probability continue to be so, that she can be under no Apprehensions of a Scarcity that way, as long as she continues a City. Woods of an unmeasurable Length, extending themselves from the Propontis beyond Colchis, a more than forty Days Journey, contribute to her Stores so that she does not only supply the neighbouring Parts with Timber for building Ships and Houses, but even Ægypt, Arabia and Africa, partake in the inexhaustible Abundance; while she, of all the Cities in the World, cannot lie under the want of Wood of any Kind, under which, even in our Time, we have observed the most flourishing Cities, both of Europe and Asia, sometimes to have fallen. Marseilles, Venice, Taranto, are all famous for Fish; yet Constantinople exceeds them all in its Abundance of this Kind. The Port is supply’d 9with vast Quantities from both Seas; nor do they swim only in thick Shoals through the Bosporus, but also from Chalcedon to this Port. Insomuch that twenty Fish-Boats have been laden with one Net; and indeed they are so numberless, that oftentimes from the Continent you may take them out of the Sea with your Hands. Nay, when in the Spring, they swim up into the Black Sea, you may kill them with Stones. The Women, with Osier Baskets ty’d to a Rope, angle for them out of the Windows, and the Fishermen with bare Hooks take a sort of Fish of the Tunny Kind, in such Quantities, as are a competent Supply to all Greece, and a great part of Asia and Europe. But not to recount the different Kinds of Fish they are stock’d with, they catch such Multitudes of Oysters, and other Shell Fish, that you may see in the Fish Market every Day, so many Boats full of them, as are a Sufficiency to the Grecians, all their Fast-Days, when they abstain from all sorts of Fish which have Blood in them. If there was not so considerable a Plenty of Flesh at Constantinople, if the People took any Pleasure in eating Fish, and their Fishermen were as industrious as those of Venice and Marseilles, and were also allow’d a Freedom in their Fishery, they would have it in their Power, not only to pay as a Tribute a third part of their Fish at least to the Grand Seignor, but also to supply all the lesser Towns in her Neighbourhood. If we consider the Temperature of the Climate of New Rome, it must be allow’d by proper Judges, that it far excels that of Pontus. For my own part, I have often experienced it to be a more healthy Air than 10that of Old Rome; and for many Years past, I have scarce observed above a Winter or two to have been very cold, and that the Summer Heats have been allay’d by the northern Breezes, which generally clear the Air for the whole Season. In the Winter, ’tis a little warm’d by the southern Winds, which have the same Effect. When the Wind is at North, they have generally Rain, though ’tis quite otherwise in Italy and France. As to the Plague, ’tis less raging, less mortal, and no more rife among them, than it is, commonly speaking, in great Cities; and which indeed would be less rife, were it not for the Multitudes of the common People, and the foul Way of Feeding among their Slaves. But that I may not seem to flourish too largely in the Praise of this City, never to be defamed by the most sour Cynick, I must confess that there is one great Inconvenience it labours under, which is, that ’tis more frequently inhabited by a savage, than a genteel and civiliz’d People; not but that she is capable of refining the Manners of the most rude and unpolish’d; but because her Inhabitants, by their luxurious way of living, emasculate themselves, and for that Reason are wholly incapable of making any Resistance against those barbarous People, by whom, to a vast Distance, they are encompass’d on all Sides. From hence it is, that although Constantinople seems as it were by Nature form’d for Government, yet her People are neither under the Decencies of Education, nor any Strictness of Discipline. Their Affluence makes them slothful, and their Pride renders them averse to an open Familiarity, and a generous Conversation; so that they avoid [11]all Opportunities of being thrust out of Company for their Insolence, or falling into Dissensions amongst themselves, by which means the Christian Inhabitants of the Place, formerly lost both their City and Government. But let their Quarrels and Divisions run never so high, and throw the whole City into a Flame, as they have many times done, nay tho’ they should rase her even with the Ground, yet she would soon rise again out of her own Ruins, by reason of the Pleasantness of her Situation, without which the Black Sea could not so properly be called the Euxine, as the Axine Sea, (the Inhabitants of whose Coast used to kill all Strangers that fell into their Hands) by reason of the great Numbers of barbarous People who dwell round the Black Sea. It would be dangerous venturing on the Coasts of the Black Sea, either by Land or Water, which are full of Pyrates and Robbers, unless they were kept in a tolerable Order by the Government of the Port. There would be no passing the Straits of the Bosporus which is inhabited on both Shores by a barbarous People, but for the same Reason. And though a Man was never so secure of a safe Passage, yet he might mistake his Road at the Mouth of the Bosporus, being misguided by the false Lights, which the Thracians, who inhabit the Coasts of the Black Sea, formerly used to hang out, instead of a Pharos. ’Tis therefore not only in the Power of Constantinople, to prevent any Foreigners sailing the Black Sea; but in reality no Powers can sail it, without some Assistance from her. Since therefore Constantinople is the Fortress of all Europe, both against the Pyrates of Pontus, 12and the Savages of Asia, was the never so effectually demolish’d, as to all Appearance, yet would she rise again out of her Ruins to her former Grandeur and Magnificence. With what Fury did Severus pursue this City, even to an entire Subversion? And yet when he cool’d in his Resentments against these People, he recollected with himself, that he had destroy’d a City which had been the common Benefactress of the Universe, and the grand Bulwark of the Eastern Empire. In a little time after he began to rebuild her, and order’d her, in Honour of his Son, to be call’d Antonina. I shall end with this Reflection; That though all other Cities have their Periods of Government, and are subject to the Decays of Time, Constantinople alone seems to claim to herself a kind of Immortality, and will continue a City, as long as the Race of Mankind shall live either to inhabit or rebuild her.

13

THE
ANTIQUITIES
OF
Constantinople.

BOOK I.

Chap. I.

Of the Founders of Byzantium, and the different Successes and Revolutions of that City.

It is recorded by Stephanus and Pausanias, that Byzantium, now call’d Constantinople, was first founded by Byzas the Son of Neptune and Ceroessa, or by a Person named Byzes, Admiral of the 14Fleet of the Megarians, who transplanted a Colony thither. I am of Opinion, that this was the same Person with Byzas. For had it taken its Name from Byzes, this City had more properly been call’d Byzeum than Byzantium. Philostratus, in the Life of Marcus a Sophist of Byzantium, calls the Admiral of that Fleet by the Name of Byzas, when he informs us, that Marcus (whom he would have descended from the ancient Family of Byzas) made a Voyage to Megara, and was exceedingly in Favour with the People there, who had formerly sent over a Colony to Byzantium. This People, when they had consulted Apollo where they should found a City, received in Answer from the Oracle, That they should seek out a Situation opposite to the Land of the Blind. The People of Chalcedon were given to understand by this mystical Answer, that tho’ they had made a Landing there before, and had an Opportunity of viewing the commodious Situation of that and other Places adjacent, yet at last had pitch’d upon the most improper Place of all. As to what is mention’d by Justin, that Byzantium was first founded by Pausanias a Spartan, I take it to import no more than this; that they who affirm that Syca, at present call’d Galata, was first founded by the Genoese, as was Constantinople by Constantine, their Meaning was, that they either rebuilt or enlarged those Places, and not that they were the first Founders of them. For when I find it in Herodotus, that upon the Invasion of Thrace by Darius, the People of Byzantium and Chalcedon were not in the least Expectation of the Arrival of the Phœnician 15Fleet, that having quitted their Cities, they retired into the Inland Shores of the Black Sea, and there founded Mesembria, and that the Phœnicians burnt Byzantium, and Chalcedon; I am of Opinion, that the Lacedæmonians, under the Command of Pausanias, sent a Colony thither, and rebuilt Byzantium, which was before either a Colony of the Megarians, or the Seat of the Subjects of Byzas the Son of Neptune, its first Founder. Eustathius assures us, that it was anciently called Antonina from Antoninus Bassianus, the Son of Severus Cæsar, but that it passed under that Name no longer than his Father liv’d, and that many Years after it was call’d New Rome, and Constantinople, and Anthusa, or Florentia, by Constantine the Great; upon which Account it is call’d by Priscian New Constantinopolitan Rome. It was foretold by the Oracle, that its Inhabitants should be a successful and flourishing People, but a constant Course of Prosperity did not always attend them. ’Twas with great Difficulty that this City first began to make a Figure in the World, in the Struggles it underwent with the Thracians, Bithynians, and Gallogrecians, and in paying a yearly Tribute of eighty Talents to the Gauls who govern’d Asia. ’Twas with greater Contests that it rose to higher Degrees of Eminency, being frequently harass’d, not only with foreign, but domestick Enemies. Mighty Changes it underwent, being sometimes under the popular, sometimes under the aristocratical Form of Government, widely extending its Conquests in Europe and Asia, but especially in Bithynia. For Philarcus observes in the sixth Book of his History, that the Byzantians had 16the same Power over the Bithynians, as the Lacedæmonians had over their Helotæ. This Commonwealth had so great a Veneration for the Ptolemæi Kings of Ægypt, that to one of them nam’d Philadelphus, they pay’d divine Honours, and erected a Temple to him, in the Sight of their City; and so great a Regard had they for the Roman Name, that they assisted them against the King of Macedon, to whom, as degenerating from his Predecessors, they gave the nickname of Pseudo-Philippus. I need not mention the powerful Succours they sent against Antiochus, Perseus, Aristonicus, and the Assistance they gave Antonius, when engaged in a War against the Pyrates. This City alone stood the Brunt of Mithridates’s whole Army landed in their Territories, and at last, though with great Difficulty, bravely repell’d the Invader. It assisted at once Sylla, Lucullus and Pompey, when they lay’d Siege to any Town or Fortification, which might be a Security to their auxiliary Forces in their Passage, either by Sea or Land, or might prove a convenient Port, either for Exportation or Importation of Provision. Joining its Forces at last with Niger against Severus, it became subject to the Perinthians, and was despoil’d of all the Honours of its Government. All its stately Bagnio’s and Theatres, its strong and lofty Walls, (built of square Stone, much of the same Hardness with that of a Grindstone, not brought from Miletus, as Politianus fancies) with which it was fortify’d, were entirely ruin’d. I say, that this Stone was cut out of no Quarry, either of ancient Miletus, or Miletopolis; because Miletus lies 17at too great a Distance from it, and Miletopolis, which is seated near the River Rhyndacus, is no ways famous for Quarries. I saw, by the By, this last City, adjoining to the Lake of Apolloniatus, entirely demolish’d, retaining at present its Name only. The Walls of Byzantium, as Herodian relates, were cemented with so thin a Mortar, that you would by no means think them a conjointed Building, but one entire Stone. They who saw them in Ruins in Herodian’s Time, were equally surpriz’d at those who built, and those who defaced them. Dion, whom Zonaras quotes, reports, that the Walls of Byzantium were exceeding strong, the Copings of which were built with Stones three Foot thick, cramp’d together with Links of Brass; and that it was so firmly compacted inwardly, that the whole Building seem’d to be one solid Wall. It is adorn’d with numerous and large Towers, having Gates in them placed one above another. The Walls on the side of the Continent are very lofty; towards the Sea, not quite so high. It had two Ports within the Walls, secured with Booms, as was their Entrance by two high Forts. I had then no Opportunity of consulting Xenophon in the Original; however I was of Opinion from the Latin Translation, that a Passage in that Author, which is as follows, has a Relation to one of those Ports: When the Soldiers, says he, had passed over from Chrysopolis to Byzantium, and were deny’d Entrance into the City, they threaten’d to force the Gates, unless the Inhabitants open’d them of their own Accord; and immediately hastening to the Sea, they scaled the Walls, and leap’d into the Town, hard by the Sides of the Port, which the Greeks call χηλαὶ, that 18is by the Piles; because they jet out into the Sea, winding into the Figure of a Crab’s Claw. But afterwards meeting with that Author in Greek, I found no Mention there of the Port, but only τὴν χηλὴν τοῦ τείχους, that is, near the Copings of the Wall, or rather the Buttresses that support it. Had it been in the Original χηλὴ τοῦ λιμένος, it ought rather to have been translated the Leg, or the Arm. Dionysius a Byzantian mentions, that the first Winding of the Bosporus contains three Ports. The Byzantians in their time had five hundred Ships, some of which were two-oar’d Galleys; some had Rudders both at Stem and Stern, and had also their Pilates at each, and two Sets of Hands aboard, so that either in an Engagement, or upon a Retreat, there was no Necessity for them to tack about. The Byzantians, both in the Life-time and after the Death of Niger, when besieged for the Space of three Years, acted Wonders; for they not only took the Enemies Ships as they sail’d by them, but dragg’d their three-oar’d Galleys from their Moorings; for diving under Water they cut their Anchors, and by fastening small Ropes from the Stern round their Ancles, they hall’d off their Ships, which seem’d to swim merely by the natural Tyde of the Sea. Nor were the Byzantians the first who practis’d this Stratagem, but the Tyrians frequently, under a Pretence of gathering Shell-Fish, would play the same Trick; which Alexander had no sooner discover’d, than he gave Orders that the Anchors of his whole Fleet, instead of Cables, should be fasten’d to Iron Chains. In this Siege the Byzantians being reduced to great 19Straits, still refused to surrender, making the best Defence they could with Timber taken from their Houses. They also breeded Cables for their Ships out of their Womens Hair; nay sometimes they threw down Statues and Horses upon the Heads of their Enemies. At last their Provision being entirely spent, they took up with Hydes soften’d in Water; and these being gone, they were brought to the extreme Necessity of eating one another: At last, being wholly reduced by Famine, they were forced to a Surrender. The Romans gave no Quarter to the Soldiers, nor the principal Men of the City. The whole Town, with all its stately Walls in which it glory’d, was levelled with the Ground; and all its Theatres and Bagnio’s were demolish’d even to the small Compass of a single Street. Severus was highly pleased with so noble a Conquest. He took away the Freedom of the City, and having deprived it of the Dignity of a Commonwealth, he confiscated the Goods of the Inhabitants; and afterwards making it tributary, he gave it, with all the neighbouring Countrey, into the Hands of the Perinthians. Entering the City afterwards, and seeing the Inhabitants coming to meet him, with Olive-branches in their Hands begging Quarter, and excusing themselves for making so long a Defence, he forbore the Slaughter; yet left the Perinthians in the Possession of the Town, allowing them nevertheless a Theatre, gave Orders for building them a Portico for Hunting, and a Hippodrom, to which he adjoin’d some Bagnio’s, which he built near the Temple of Jupiter, who was called Zeuxippus. He 20also rebuilt the Strategium; and all the Works that were begun by Severus in his Life-time, were finish’d by his Son Antoninus.

Chap. II.

Of the Extent of Old Byzantium.

THE present Inhabitants of Constantinople tell you, that Old Byzantium stood within the Compass of the first Hill in the Imperial Precinct, where the Grand Seignor’s Seraglio now stands: but I am of Opinion, from what follows it will appear, that it was of a larger Extent. Our modern Writers describe its Situation thus; that it began at the Wall of the Citadel, stretched itself to the Tower of Eugenius, and that it rose gradually up to the Strategium, the Bagnio of Achilles, and the Urbicion. From thence it pass’d on to the Chalcopratia, and the Miliarium Aureum, where there was another Urbicion of the Byzantians: Thence it lengthen’d to the Pillars of Zonarius, from whence, after a gentle Descent, it winded round by the Manganæ and the Bagnio’s of Arcadius, up to the Acropolis. I am inclinable to credit all these Writers, excepting only Eustathius, who tells us, that the Athenians made use of Byzantium, a small City, to keep their Treasure in. But Zosimus, a more ancient Historian, describes Byzantium after this Manner: It was seated, says he, on a Hill, which took up part of the Isthmus, and was bounded by a Bay called Cheras, and the Propontis. At 21the End of the Portico’s built by Severus the Emperor, it had a Gate set up, upon his Reconciliation with the Inhabitants, for giving Protection to Niger his Enemy. The Wall of Byzantium extended itself from the Eastern Part of the City to the Temple of Venus, and the Sea over-against Chrysopolis: from the North it descended to the Dock, and so onward to the Sea, which faces the Black Sea, and through which you sail into it. This, says he, was the ancient Extent of the City; but Dionysius, a more ancient Writer than Zosimus, as appears by his Account, which was written before its Destruction by Severus, tells us, that Byzantium contain’d in Compass at least forty Furlongs, which is a much greater Extent than the preceding Writers reported it. Herodian informs us, that Byzantium, in the Time of Severus, was the greatest City in all Thrace.

Chap. III.

Of the Rebuilding of Byzantium by Constantine the Great, and the Largeness of it in his Time.

IT is recorded by Zonaras, that Constantine being inclinable to build a City, and to give it his own Name, at first pitch’d upon Sardicus a Field of Asia; afterwards, upon the Promontory Sigeum, and last of all upon Chalcedon and Byzantium, for that 22Purpose. Georgius Cedrinus is of Opinion, that he first pitch’d upon Thessalonica, and after he had lived there two Years, being wonderfully taken with the Delightfulness of the Place, he built the most magnificent Temples, Bagnio’s and Aqueducts; but being interrupted in his great Designs by the Plague which raged there, he was obliged to leave it, and passing away for Chalcedon, (formerly overthrown by the Persians, but then upon rebuilding) he was directed by the Eagles frequently carrying the small Stones of the Workmen from thence to Byzantium, where Constantinople ought to be built. Zonaras is of the same Opinion; and only differs as to the Story of the Stones, and says, that they were small Ropes which they used in Building. But this seems to be a Fable taken out of Dionysius a Byzantian Writer, who tells us, that Byzas had been the Founder of Byzantium, in a Place call’d Semystra, seated at the Mouth of the Rivers Cydarus and Barbysa, had not a Crow, by snatching a Piece of the Sacrifice out of the Flames, and carrying it to a Promontory of the Bosporus, directed Byzas to found Byzantium in that Place. But Constantine does not seem to me to have been so oversighted as were the ancient Chalcedonians, for which they stand recorded in the Histories of all Ages. Nay, ’tis distinguishable by any Man of a tolerable Judgment, that Byzantium was a much more commodious Situation for the Roman Empire than that of Chalcedon. The far more ancient Historians, among whom are Sozomen of Salamis and Zosimus, who wrote in the Reign of Theodosius the Less, judged 23more rationally on this Occasion. They tell us, without taking any Notice of Sardica, Thessalonica or Chalcedon, that Constantine debating with himself, where he might build a City, and call it by his own Name, equal in Glory and Magnificence to that of Rome, had found out a convenient Situation for that Purpose, between old Troy and the Hellespont; that he had lay’d the Foundations, and raised part of the Wall to a considerable Height, which is to be seen at this Day on the Promontory Sigeum, which Pliny calls Ajantium; because the Sepulchre of Ajax, which was in that Place, hung over the Chops of the Hellespont: They tell you farther, that anciently some Ships were station’d there, and that the Grecians, when at War with the Trojans, pitch’d their Tents in that Place: That Constantine afterwards came into an Opinion, that Byzantium was a properer Situation; that three hundred and sixty two Years after the Reign of Augustus, he rebuilt, enlarged and fortified it with great and strong Walls, and by an Edict engraven on a Stone Pillar, and publickly fix’d up in the Strategium, near his own Equestrian Statue, order’d it to be called Nova Roma Constantinopolitana. Upon a Computation made, that the Natives were not a sufficient Number to people the City, he built several fine Houses in and about the Forums, of which he made a Present to the Senators and other Men of Quality, which he brought with him from Rome and other Nations. He built also several Forums, some as an Ornament, others for the Service of the City. The Hippodrom he beautify’d with Temples, Fountains, Portico’s, and a Senate-House, 24and allow’d its Members equal Honours and Privileges with those of Rome. He also built himself a Palace, little inferior to the Royal one at Rome. In short, he was so ambitious to make it rival Rome itself in all its Grandeur and Magnificence, that at length, as Sozomen assures us, it far surpassed it, both in the Number of its Inhabitants, and its Affluence of all Kinds. Eunapius a Sardian, no mean Writer, nay though an Enemy to Constantine, describes the vast Extent of Constantinople, in these Words: Constantinople, says he, formerly called Byzantium, allow’d the ancient Athenians a Liberty of importing Corn in great Quantities; but at present not all the Ships of Burthen from Ægypt, Asia, Syria, Phœnicia, and many other Nations, can import a Quantity sufficient for the Support of those People, whom Constantine, by unpeopling other Cities, has transported thither. Zosimus also, though otherwise no very good Friend to Constantine on the score of his Religion, yet frankly owns, that he wonderfully enlarged it; and that the Isthmus was enclosed by a Wall from Sea to Sea, to the Distance of fifteen Furlongs beyond the Walls of old Byzantium. But to what Extent soever Constantine might enlarge its Bounds, yet the Emperors who succeeded him have extended them farther, and have enclosed the City with much wider Walls than those built by Constantine, and permitted them to build so closely one House to another, and that even in their Market Places, that they could not walk the Streets without Danger, they were so crowded with Men and Cattle. Upon this Account it was, that a great part of the Sea which runs round the City was in some Places dry’d up, where by fixing Posts 25in a circular Manner, and building Houses upon them, they made their City large enough for the Reception of an infinite Multitude of People. Thus does Zosimus express himself as to the vast Extent of this City, as it stood in the Time either of Arcadius or Theodosius. Agathius says, that in the Time of Justinian the Buildings were so close and crowded together, that it was very difficult to see the Sky by looking through the Tops of them. The large Compass of this City before Justinian’s Time, we may in some measure collect from an ancient Description of the City, by an unknown but seemingly a very faithful Writer. He assures us, that the Length of the City from the Porta Aurea to the Sea Shore in a direct Line, was fourteen thousand and seventy five Feet, and that it was six thousand one hundred and fifty Feet in Breadth. And yet we cannot collect plainly from Procopius, that in the Reign of Justinian the Blachernæ were enclosed within the Walls, although before his Time the City was enlarged by Theodosius the Less, who as Zonaras and others write, gave Orders to Cyrus the Governour of the City for that Purpose. This Man, with great Diligence and wonderful Dispatch, built a Wall over the Continent from Sea to Sea, in sixty Days. The Inhabitants astonish’d that so immense a Work should be finish’d in so small a Time, cry’d out in a publick manner in the Theatre, in the Presence of Theodosius the Emperor, Constantine built this City, but Cyrus rebuilt it. This drew on him the Envy of his Prince, and render’d him suspected; so that being shaved by the Command of Theodosius, against his Inclinations, 26he was constituted Bishop of Smyrna. The following Inscriptions made to Constantinus, and carv’d over the Gate of Xylocerum and Rhegium, take Notice of him in these Verses.

Over the Gate of Xylocerum (Xylocercum or Xylocricum) in Byzantium, thus:

Over the Gate of Rhegium is this Inscription:

The Reason why Constantine order’d Byzantium to be call’d New Rome, or Queen of the Roman Empire, is mention’d by Sozomen and others; namely, that God appear’d by Night to Constantine, and advised him to build a City at Byzantium worthy his own Name. Some say, that as Julius Cæsar, upon a Plot form’d against him, judg’d it necessary to remove to Alexandria or Troy, stripping Italy at the same time of every thing that was valuable, and carrying off all the Riches of the Roman Empire, leaving the Administration in the Hands of his Friends; so it is said of Constantine, that perceiving himself to be obnoxious to the People of Rome, having drain’d the City of all its Wealth, went over at first to Troy, and afterwards to Byzantium. Zosimus, an implacable Enemy to the Christian Name, alledges an execrable Piece of Villany, as the Cause of his Removal. Constantine, says he, when he had murder’d Crispus, and had been guilty of other27 flagrant Crimes, desiring of the Priests an Expiation for them, their Answer was, That his Offences were so many and enormous, that they knew not which way to atone for them; telling him at the same time, that there was a certain Ægyptian who came from Spain to Rome; who, if he had an Opportunity of speaking to him, could procure him an Expiation, if he would establish in his Dominions this Belief of the Christians, namely, That Men of the most profligate Lives, immediately upon their Repentance, obtain’d Remission of Sins. Constantine readily closed with this Offer, and his Sins were pardon’d. At the Approach of the Festival, on which it was usual with him and his Army to go up to the Capitol, to perform the customary Rites of their Religion; Constantine fearful to be present at that Solemnity, as being warn’d to the contrary by a Dream, which was sent him from the Ægyptian, and not attending the holy Sacrifice, highly disgusted the Senate, and the whole Body of the People of Rome. But unable to bear the Curses and Scandal they threw upon him on that Account, he went in Search of some Place or other equally famous with Rome, where he might build him a Palace, and which he might make the Seat of the Roman Empire, and that at last he had discovered a Place between Troas and Old Ilium, fit for that Purpose; and that there he built him a Palace, laid the Foundations of a City, and raised part of a Wall for its Defence: But that afterwards disapproving the Situation, he left his Works unfinish’d, and settled at Byzantium; and being wonderfully taken with the Agreeableness of the Place, he judged it in all respects to be very commodious28 for an Imperial Seat. Thus far Zosimus, a great Favourite of Julian the Apostate, and an inveterate Enemy to Constantine on the account of his Religion; to whose Sentiments I have so perfect an Aversion, that I cannot give the least Credit to those Enormities he charges him with, and of which he had the greatest Abhorrence, as being a Prince of remarkable Clemency and Goodness, which I am capable of proving abundantly, but that it would prove too great a Digression in the present History. The Truth of it is, that Sozomen and Evagrius both have sufficiently refuted these malicious Reflections. In these Calumnies, I say, I entirely differ from Zosimus, yet in his Description of the Extent, and Compass of the City, I am wholly in his Opinion; who, though an Enemy to Constantine, yet is forced to acknowledge him to have built so large, so noble, so magnificent a City. I am the more induced to give Credit to his History in this Respect, because he lived many Ages nearer to the Time of Constantine than our modern Monks, who, in the Books they have written of Constantinople, give the following Account of it; namely, that Constantine built a Wall from the Tower of Eugenius (which was the Boundary of old Byzantium) to St. Anthony’s Church, and the Church of the Blessed Virgin, call’d Rabdon, quite up to the Exacionion; and that at a Mile’s Distance, it passed on to the old Gates of the Church of St. John the Baptist, stretching itself farther to the Cistern of Bonus, from whence it extended itself to the Armation, and so winded round to St. Anthony’s Church again. I should give my self the Trouble to examine this29 Account, but that I know the Authors are so fabulous, that they are no ways to be depended upon. But this I look upon to be an intolerable Blunder, that they place the Church of St. John Baptist within the Walls built by Constantine, whereas for many Years after his Death it continued without the City: Of which, and many other Errors, I shall take Notice in the following History.

Chap. IV.

Of the present Figure, Compass, Length and Breadth of Constantinople.

THE Figure of Constantinople is triangular, the Base of which is that Part of it which lies Westward: The top Angle points to the East, where the Peninsula begins. But both the Sides of this Triangle are not equal; for that Side which lies westward winds round the Angle of the Bay in the Figure of a Half-Moon. At a great Distance from thence, it winds about again from North to South. But the South Side of this Triangle veers about to such a Breadth, that if you should draw a strait Line from one Angle of it to the other, it would cut off a Creek, which, in the Middle of it, is at least a quarter of a Mile over. But that Side which faces the North, and is call’d Ceras, the Bay or Horn, should you draw a strait Line over it from one Angle to another, it would cut off not only the whole Bay, but also30 a part of Galata. For this Side inflects inwards in such a manner, that from each Point it circulates in the Form of a Bow, having two smaller Windings of the same Figure in the Middle of it, but lies inwardly into the Continent so far, that the two Horns or Ends of the Bow, which includes them, no ways intercept the Prospect of the Angles of the larger Arch. ’Tis upon this Account that Constantinople may rather seem to be of a triarcular, than a triangular Figure. For right Angles never project beyond their Sides, nor do they inflect inwards. But all semicircular Figures are in a manner both convex and concave also. So that if these three Angles, so far as they project beyond the main Body of the City, were divided from it, Constantinople would form a square oblong Figure, little more than a Mile broad, and almost three times as long. But be that as it will, all are of Opinion, that this City ought to be look’d upon to be of a triangular Figure, because it has three Sides; one of which that faces the Propontis, and the other on the side of the Thracian Continent, are of an equal Length; the third, adjoining to the Bay, is about a Mile shorter than the other two. This City is computed to be near thirteen Miles in Compass, although Laonicus Chalcondylus, in his History of the Ottomans, assures us, that Constantinople contain’d in Compass an hundred and eleven Furlongs; the Length of it, extending itself over the Promontory with six Hills, is no more than thirty Furlongs; but if the Figure of it was an equilateral Triangle, it would not be much above nine Miles in Circumference; and could we suppose its hilly Situation to be widen’d31 into one large Plain, yet then it would not be so large in Compass as the Inhabitants generally reckon it, viz. eighteen Miles. It is observable, that Constantinople does not contain more Bays of Building, as it is situate upon Hills, than it would if it were built upon a Plain; because you cannot so conveniently build upon a Declivity, as you can upon a Level. Nor does the Reason equally hold good, as to the Number of its Houses, and the Number of its Inhabitants. For Constantinople can contain more Men as it is seated upon Hills, than it could if it were seated on a Plain. The Breadth of this City varies in several Places. From the East to the Middle of it, ’tis at least a Mile in Breadth, but in no Place broader than a Mile and a half. It divides itself afterwards into two Branches, where ’tis almost as broad as ’tis long. I can compare it, as to its Figure, to nothing more properly than to an Eagle stretching out his Wings, and looking obliquely to the left, upon whose Beak stands the first Hill, where is the Grand Seignor’s Palace. In his Eye stands the Church of St. Sophia; on the lower part of the Head is the Hippodrom; upon his Neck are the second and third Hills, and the remaining part of the City fill up his Wings, and his whole Body.

32

Chap. V.

A general Description of Constantinople.

Constantinople takes up in Compass the whole Peninsula, which contains seven Hills, of which the eastern Angle of the City includes one, having its Rise at the Promontory, which Pliny calls Chrysoceras, and Dionysius a Byzantian, Bosporium. The first Hill is divided from the second by a broad Valley; the Promontory of Bosporium contains the other six, extending itself from the Entrance of the Peninsula on the East, full West with a continued Ridge, but somewhat convex’d, and hangs over the Bay. Six Hills and five Valleys shoot from the right Side of it, and ’tis divided only by the third and fifth Valleys on the left Side of it, which is all upon the Descent, and has only some small Hills and Vales, which are more steep than the Hills themselves. It has also two Windings which take their Rise from the Top of the first Hill, from whence it ascends by Degrees almost to another Winding, which begins from the Top of the third Hill, where sinking into a gentle Descent, it admits the Valley, which lies between the third and the fourth Hill. From thence it rises again with a moderate Ascent, and continues upon a Level westward almost to the Urbicion, where it rises again. The Plains adjoining to the Promontory differ as to their Level. Those that divide the Promontory33 at the Top, and those at the Foot of it, are very uneven in many Places. The Plain at the Top of the first Hill is seven hundred Paces in Length, and two hundred in Breadth. Shooting hence, it rises almost insensibly to the Top of the second Hill, where ’tis five hundred Paces in Breadth, and is all upon the Descent to the Top of that Hill, where the second Valley, which is also shelving and very narrow, takes its Rise. On the third Hill the Plain is above six hundred Paces in Breadth, but somewhat more upon the Level at the Entrance of the third Valley, which is six hundred Paces broad. From hence you rise by a gentle Ascent to the Plain on the Top of the fourth Hill, which is not above two hundred Paces wide. On the fifth Hill it dilates itself to the Breadth of seven hundred Paces. On the Hill, from whence the fifth Valley takes its Rise, ’tis more narrow; and on the sixth Hill ’tis a little upon the Ascent again. As to the Plain, which extends itself between the Sea and the Bottom of the Promontory, that also is not so even in some Places as it is in others; for it is narrower under the Hills, in the Vales ’tis half as wide again. For winding itself from the Promontory, where it begins, over three Valleys, it is widen’d at that Distance into the Breadth of a thousand Paces, though at the Foot of the Hills it is not above an Acre, or a hundred and twenty Foot in Breadth, except at the Bottom of the third and fifth Hills, where ’tis very narrow, but extends itself over the fourth Valley both in Length and Breadth to a great Degree. At the Foot of the sixth Hill it contracts itself again, except at the Foot of two lesser Hills,34 situated behind the first and second Hills; one of which projects almost to the Sea, the other is at no great Distance from it. But to describe Constantinople in a more easy and comprehensive Manner, I will give the Reader a particular Account of all its Hills and Vales, which indeed make a very lovely and agreeable Prospect. For the six Hills which shoot from the Promontory, (and which for their Likeness you might call Brothers) stand in so regular an Order, that neither of them intercepts the Prospect of the other; so that as you sail up the Bay, you see them all hanging over it in such a manner, that quite round the City you see before you both Sides of every one of them. The first of these Hills jets out to the East, and bounds the Bay; the second and third lie more inward to the South; the others lie more open to the North, so that at one View you have a full Prospect of them. The first lies lower than the second; the second than the third; the fourth, fifth and sixth are in some Places higher, in others somewhat lower than the third, which you may discover by the Level of the Aqueduct. That the first Hill is lower than the third and fourth, may be discover’d by the Tower which supports the Aqueduct, by which the Water is raised into the Air above fifty Foot high. To make this more intelligible, I will divide the City, as to the Length of it, from the Land’s Point on the Shore of the Bosporus, to the Walls on the Neck of the Isthmus, and consider the Breadth of it, as it widens from the Propontis to the Bay called Ceras. The Reason why I divide the City, as to its Breadth, into six Parts, is the natural Situation of35 the Promontory, which itself is divided into six Hills, with Valleys running between them. It was no great Difficulty to distinguish the Roman Hills, because they were entirely disjoin’d by Valleys; but ’tis not so easy to distinguish those of Constantinople, because they are conjoin’d at Top; and besides, the Backs of them do not project in so mountainous a manner as they do in the Front; so that I cannot better describe them, than by calling them a continued Ridge of Hills, divided each of them with Valleys. And therefore to proceed regularly, I shall first give the Reader a Description of the right Side of the Promontory, with its Hills and Vales, and then take Notice of the left Side of it, which stands behind them.

Chap. VI.

Of the Situation of all the Parts of the City describ’d.

THE first Part of the Breadth of the Promontory is the Front of it, which opening to the Distance of a thousand Paces Eastwards adjoins to the Chaps of the Bosporus. For this Sea winds round the Back of the Promontory in such a Manner, that from the Point where the Bosporus is divided, to the Bay called Ceras, and the Land’s Point of that Sea, it extends itself from North to South to the Distance of fourteen Furlongs; and from thence to a farther Distance of four Furlongs, it winds round from the South-east36 to the South-South-west, even to the Mouth of the Propontis, which joining with the Bosporus, winds round the City to South-west, to the Distance of two Miles more. This Side of the Hill is bounded at the Bottom of it with a Plain of the same Breadth with itself, which is two hundred Paces. There rise upon the Plain some lesser Hills, which are not above four hundred Paces in Height. On the Top of the left Side of these Hills stands the Hippodrom; on the right Side, which faces the South-west, is the Palace of the Grand Seignor. I might not improperly call it the Front of the Promontory, as being almost of an equal Ascent in all its Parts, having a Plain running along it, of an equal Length with itself; besides, it adjoins to the first Hill: I say, for these Reasons I might call it a part of the first Hill; but to understand it more distinctly, I shall treat of it by itself.

Chap. VII.

Of the first Hill, of the Palace of the Grand Seignor, of the Church of St. Sophia, and the Hippodrom.

THE first Hill, extending itself from the South-east to the South-west, opens at the Entrance of it to the Breadth of thirty Paces; from thence it widens gradually, and so on, till at last ’tis almost as broad as ’tis long. It rises at the Nook of the Isthmus, which joins the Peninsula to the Continent. It projects itself in the37 Form of a Cymetar, or a Hawk’s Beak, and almost divides the Straits of the Bosporus, and the Bay called Ceras. The whole Hill projects beyond the others almost to the Mouth of the Bay. ’Tis all upon a Descent, except the Top of it, where there’s a Plain which joins to the Plain of the Promontory. The lesser Eminences which stand upon it, and which face the East and the North, have a moderate Descent, others of them are more steep, so that in some Places you are obliged to climb them by Steps, but the tallest of them is not above four hundred Paces high. The Plain, at the Foot of this Hill, is very different. The Eastern Part of it is much widen’d by the Sea Shore, which jets out in a semicircular Manner. The Breadth of the South-east and northern Part of it is encreased by the Valley, which divides the first from the second Hill. The Plain on the Top of the Hill is about seven hundred Paces in Length. This Hill is not only fortified by Nature, as being encompassed on the East by the Bosporus, on the North by the Bay of Ceras, and on the West by a cool Valley; but ’tis also inclosed within the Walls of the Seraglio, which are guarded with numberless Ramparts and Towers, which are equal in Strength to the Walls of the City. Towards the Foot of the Hill, and the Plain near the Sea, lie the Gardens of the Grand Seignor. The Imperial Palace, which is partly situate on the Top of the Hill, and partly on the Eminences below it, affords almost an unmeasurable Prospect, both by Sea and Land. In this Plain there are two Imperial Areas or Courts; the first of these Courts is seven hundred Paces long, and two hundred38 broad. You pass through this into another inner Court, which is a Quadrangle two hundred Paces long, and has round it a magnificent Portico, supported with a Multitude of fine Marble Pillars curiously variegated. In the Middle of the Court there’s a fine shady Walk of Plane and Cypress-Trees for the Lawyers, and in the North Angle of the City is the Forum Judiciale, which the Ottomans call their Divan. On the South-east Side of a large Court stands the magnificent and stately Palace of the Grand Seignor, on the North Side of which are built many Imperial Bagnio’s, and Kitchens with eight arch’d Roofs, rising like a Cupola, in an hemispherical Manner; each of these Cupola’s representing the Figure of a little House, is nothing else but a Chimney with Windows, light at Top, made in the Likeness of a Lantern. There is a two-leav’d Iron Gate which lets you into the first Court, the Leaves of it, when opened, stand at twenty Paces Distance. The Porters or Capoochees stand always upon Duty at these Gates. Just above them the Hill rises up to a smooth Level with the Ridge of the Promontory. The Porch or Gate-house is lined on each Side with glittering Armour, and shines, as do also the Jambs of the Gate with rich Marble. Over the Porch there rises a square Building cover’d with Lead, as are all the other Edifices of the Palace. There’s a Passage out of the first Court through another two-leav’d Gate into the second inner Court. This is the Station of the Drudging Porters. The Gate-house here also blazes with refulgent Arms. This Gate, without side of it, has nothing like a Porch, though within39 side it has. ’Tis supported with ten Pillars of different Kinds of Marble; the Roof of it proudly glitters with Gold, and is beautify’d with the most rich and lively Colours of Persian Work. At the third Gate, where the Entrance opens into the Seraglio, there are other Porters or Capoochees attending. These are under the Command of the Capoochee-Basha, or Captain of the Porters, who is also Chamberlain to the Grand Seignor. No body is suffer’d to enter the Palace without his Permission, but the Servants and Officers of the Houshold, unless it be his Noblemen, who while he is sitting near the Door of the Seraglio, may freely enter to pay their Homage to him. All Ambassadors, when introduced into his Presence, are allow’d to kiss his Hand, who receives them sitting upon a low Couch, but curiously embroider’d, in a little Apartment built with Marble, adorn’d with Gold and Silver, and sparkling with Diamonds and precious Stones. This Room of State is incircled with a Portico, which is supported with Pillars of the finest Marble, the Capitals and Pedestals of which are all gilded. Besides these I have mention’d, there are many other Gates round the Seraglio, through which none are admitted, but such as are in the highest Favour with the Emperour. If I mistake not, I counted twelve, which were all Iron-work; seven of them were near the City; two of them, through which they carried their Hay to the Seraglio, were near the Sea; on the Sea Side there were five more: The first of these stands to the North of the Seraglio, towards the Bay; the second stands upon the Ridge of a Hill: ’Tis very40 large, has a Porch with an arch’d Roof before it, is gilded, and adorn’d in a surprizing manner with Persian Paintings, supported with Pillars of Ophitick Marble, and looks into the Bosporus. At some Distance Eastward there is another Gate facing Chalcedon. Just before it the Vessels are moor’d, in which the Grand Seignor sails to some distant Shore, when he goes a hunting, or is inclined to divert himself in his Gardens. The fourth Gate stands South-east near the Ruins of a Christian Church, some Tokens of which are still remaining in a Wall, to which the Greeks to this Day, by their frequent Visits, continue to pay a kind of devotional Reverence. Beyond this there is a fifth Port or Gate, where is built a Room, though it is only rafter’d, whence you may have the Diversion of seeing the Fish catch’d; as it is also a kind of Repository, where the Grand Seignor’s Fishermen lay up their Tackle. I would observe by the By, that though all the Hills of Constantinople afford a very pleasing Prospect, yet there is none which entertains you with such peculiar Delectation as the first Hill, where the Sultan lives in a licentious and luxurious manner. He has before him, whether he is walking in his Gardens, or in his Chambers of the Seraglio, a full View of the Bosporus and both its Shores, which are green, and flourishing with Woods belonging to the neighbouring Farms. On the right Hand he beholds a spacious Field of Chalcedon, cover’d with his own Gardens; he sees the Propontis, Islands without Number, and the woody Mountains of Asia. If he looks at an immense Distance, behind him he beholds the Olympus always41 cloath’d in Snow. If he takes a shorter Prospect, he views before him the Wonders of his own City, the Church of St. Sophia and the Hippodrom. If he casts his Eyes to the left Hand, he beholds the seven Hills on which the City is seated, and more remotely, he looks round the unmeasurable spacious Fields of Thracia. If he extends his Prospect over the Seas, he views a moving Scene of Ships passing and repassing before him; some sailing from the Hellespont, or the Black Sea, others again coming into his Port from all the Coasts of the Propontis, while other Vessels at the same time are sailing up and down the Bay of Ceras, where there are also abundance of Wherries and small Boats always oaring from Side to Side. And if he looks below him, he has the agreeable Pleasure of beholding the three Sides of the first Hill, dressed with Trees, Flowers and Plants of all Kinds. But he has not only a fine Prospect from the Palace, but is entertain’d with several delightful Visto’s from the Top of the Gardens rising on the Hills. If he has an Inclination to take a View of his Seraglio, from that Point of Land which projects so far into the Sea, and which, as I observ’d, divided the Bosporus; here he beholds it in all its Glory, strengthen’d with large Pillars of Marble, and fann’d with gentle refreshing Breezes, where he often sits with small Osier Lattices before him; so that, like another Gyges, he discerns all that sail near him, though he himself is visible to none: And if at any time he is weary of the Company of his Domesticks, he can divert himself with the ridiculous Drollery of the Watermen, when fixing their Oars and Boat-poles to42 the Shore, they tug against the violent Stream of the Bosporus, which is much more rapid than the Rhone. Without the Seraglio stands the Church of St. Sophia, which is about seventy Paces distant from the Gate of the first Court. ’Tis situate on the Brow of the first Hill, upon an Eminence that hangs over the Garden of the first Valley: From thence you ascend by Stone Steps to the Gate of the Seraglio, and the Church of St. Sophia, which from the South-east falls with so easy a Descent, that it almost imperceptibly terminates on a Plain both above and below it. In short, all the Descents from the Imperial Palace to the Hippodrom, are moderate and gentle. South-west of the Church of St. Sophia, a Plain extends itself to the End of the Hippodrom, which is above seven hundred Paces long. The Hippodrom is more than two Furlongs in Length, and one Furlong in Breadth. It stands upon a perfect Level; but this is more to be ascribed to Industry, than its natural Situation. The Middle Part of it, stretching as far as the Propontis, on three Sides of it, is a shelving Ground. On the East it falls with a small Declivity, on the West ’tis more upon the Descent, on the Side of the Propontis ’tis directly perpendicular to the Depth, more or less, of fifty Foot. The whole Front of the Hippodrom is built upon Arches, (which makes it stand upon a Level) and entertains the Spectator with a very delectable Prospect of the Propontis, so that you may not only see Men sailing to and fro before you, but may also see the Dolphins frequently tumbling about the Waters. The Steps on the North Side of the Hippodrom, which remained43 there but a few Years since, were demolished by Abraham the Bassa, and were used in building his own House. Between the Hippodrom and the Propontis there stretches a Plain, which widens to the Breadth of four hundred Paces, where the Churches of Bacchus and Sergius anciently stood; of both which I shall take Notice in the following History. Below the Hippodrom, to the South, is the Gate call’d Porta Leonis, which is situate without the City, upon the Ruins of the Palace of Leo Macellus; the Windows of which, of antique Workmanship, are still remaining in the Walls. The Palace was built upon a Hill adjoining to the Sea, which was about a hundred Paces high.

Chap. VIII.

Of the first Valley.

FROM the uppermost Plain of the Promontory, on which, as I observed, stood the Church of St. Sophia and the Hippodrom, by an easy Ascent of a thousand Paces, you climb the Ridge of the second Hill up to the Porphyry Pillar, erected on the Top of the second Hill, which is bounded on the East by the first Valley, which divides the first from the second Hill. It rises at the Plain of St. Sophia, and extends itself from South to North. This Valley represents exactly the Figure of the Letter V; one of whose Sides extends itself full East, the other North. Thro’ the Middle of it runs the Wall, which divides the44 Grand Seignor’s Palace from the rest of the City. The lowermost Plain of the Promontory extends itself in Length and Breadth so far into this Valley, that from the Bay to the Church of St. Sophia, you may walk a thousand Paces almost upon the Level. From the Entrance of it on the Sea Side, ’tis all a plain Ground to the Length of five hundred Paces; afterwards winding itself into this Vale, it rises with a small Ascent, which is more easily perceivable by a gentle Fall of the Water, than by the Eye or Foot. At the Beginning of it ’tis somewhat wide, afterwards ’tis narrower, and at the End of it ’tis straighten’d into two lesser Valleys; one of which, near to the Church of St. Sophia, is four hundred Paces long. It rises gradually, and is so very narrow, that the publick Way takes up the whole Breadth of it.

Chap. IX.

Of the second Hill.

THE Ridge of the Promontory rising a little higher, and the two Valleys adjoining to it, make the second Hill. The first Valley divides, at East, the first from the second Hill; the other Valley, Westward, divides the second from the third. On the North ’tis bounded by a Plain on the Sea Shore. The Ridge of the Promontory extends from South to North to the Distance of one thousand Paces in Length, and four hundred in Breadth. The different Breadth of the Vales45 varies the Breadth of the whole Hill. For where the Valleys which bound the Sides of it at the Top are more contracted, the Hill widens, and at the Foot of the Hill, where they are much wider, the Hill is less. The lesser Hills which stand upon it, extend its Length, two of which hang over the Bay. Its Height varies according to the different Height of the three Clifts, or small Hills which rise upon it. For the Clift lying to the South-east, rises moderately, from the lowest part of the Valley to the Top of the Hill, to the Height of about a thousand Paces; afterwards, as the Valley widens, it grows less, and is rendered more steep by two small Valleys (branching out of the great Valley) which indeed are somewhat upon the Descent, but not above a hundred Paces high. The different Heights of the Clifts which hang over the Bay, may be best discover’d by considering the different Heights of the five publick Ways, which reach from the Ridge to the Foot of the Hill. The first of these Ways rises to the Height of five hundred Paces, two hundred of which from the Foot of the Hill are very easy of Ascent, the other three hundred are very steep. The second Road is six hundred Paces high, a hundred of which rise through the lowest of the small Valleys by a gentle Ascent, the next hundred are almost perpendicular, so that you must climb them by Steps; the other four hundred rise gradually to the Top of the Hill, which is sixty Paces in Breadth. This Hill, on the Ridge of it, shoots Southward to the Distance of a hundred and fifty Paces, quite from the Church of St. Sophia to the Porphyry Pillar. The other46 three publick Ways, from the Bottom of the Hill, are for the first hundred Paces upon a gentle Rise, the next two hundred are a mighty Declivity, so that you are obliged to ascend them by Windings and Turnings; the remaining five hundred, up to the Plain upon the Hill, rise moderately. I would observe farther, that on the Side of the Clifts which project over the Bay, two small Hills jetted out, one to the North, and the other to the East; both which uniting form a little Valley, which is bounded on the East by a Hill which rises eighty Paces in Height, and has in some Places very agreeable Descents. This is the Reason that most part of the lesser Clifts, which bear upon this Hill, stand to the East, and that the Side of the Hill which looks Westward, is in some Parts of it more shelving than in other: For its Eminencies falling into the lowest Plain in the Valley, to the Length of three hundred Paces, from the Foot of the Hill up to the Middle of it, are almost perpendicular, and from the Middle to the Top they slope but little. As for those Hills which project over the Head of the Valley, they are not above two hundred Paces high, often of a different Ascent: For as the Valley rises, the Clifts seem lower. Indeed all the lesser Clifts of this Hill have a double Descent; one length-ways, and the other broad-ways: For those of them which stand East and West are seated in such a manner, that they also lye to the North. In short, all the Sides of this Hill, in the most steep Ascents of them, are not above a Furlong in Height; in other Places they fall into a moderate Declivity, and at the Bottom of them they gradually enlarge47 themselves into a Plain. The upper Clifts at the Top of them are half shelving, and half upon the Plain. The Plain adjoining to the Sea, and dividing the Hill from the Bay, spreads itself into a Latitude of three hundred Paces, but immediately widens again into a Breadth of five hundred Paces, and so visibly enlarges itself, the farther it extends itself into the Valleys.

And thus having given the Reader some Account of the Front or fore-part of the Promontory, I shall now give him a short Description of the back-side of it, which faces the Sea. Behind the second and third Hills there are two lesser Hills, which hang over the Propontis. Between these Hills descends a hollow Valley. These Hills stand in the Middle of the Valley. That which lies Eastward, as well as that which lies to the West, exalts itself to the Height of more than two hundred Paces. At the End of the Valley, between these Hills, is a well built Harbour enclosed with a Wall. ’Tis seated upon the Plain on the Shore, near that part of the Sea which runs up to the Front of the Hippodrom. The Mouth of this Harbour is three hundred Paces in Breadth. From the Bay call’d Cornu, the Breadth crossing the Hill to the Propontis, widens to the Distance of two Miles.

48

Chap. X.

Of the second Valley, which divides the second from the third Hill.

THAT Valley which divides the second from the third Hill, begins at the Promontory, and ends in the Plain adjoining to the Sea. It contains in it the Fish-Market and the Ferry, whence you cross the Water to Syca. From hence to the Entrance of the Valley, a Plain expands itself to the Breadth of four hundred Paces so much upon the Level, that the Water falls from thence into the Bay with almost an imperceptible Descent. When it has contracted itself into the narrow Compass of two hundred Paces in Breadth, it gradually straightens itself into a less, even to the Middle of the Valley, where ’tis but fifty Paces in Breadth, and afterwards is no broader than the common Way. ’Tis above six hundred Paces in Length, three hundred of which are almost upon a Level, the other three hundred upon the Descent. It rises easily to that part of the Promontory, where the second and third Hills join. In the lowermost part of the Valley runs the broad Way that faces Galata. This Way, on both Sides of it, is full of Merchants Houses, cover’d with a kind of transparent Slat, which have here and there a small Casement. The Merchants of Galata frequent the grand Bezestan, or Place of Exchange. ’Tis situate partly on the Head of the49 Valley, and partly on an Eminence of the third Hill. In the Year of our Lord 1546 it was wholly burnt to the Ground, except two Basilica’s roof’d with Brick-work, which were lock’d up every Night, and their Windows secured by Iron Bars, when the Fire was over. I was allowed after the Fire to view their grand Forum. I found it lie so much upon the Level, that it had but a small Ascent either from the West to the East, or from the South to the North. I observed that it stood upon more than five Furlongs of Ground; on the highest part of it, which lies to the East, I was permitted to see a Nymphæum, adorn’d with five and forty Marble Pillars, which supported a Brick Roof. The old Basilica, of which I could have no Prospect before, by reason of the Shops and publick Houses, the Fire had lain open to my View. I observed farther, that it had two additional Buildings like Wings, joining to the main Building, each of which was divided into sixty Apartments, which were all arched, and over the Roof cover’d with Lead, as their Shops and Places of publick Entertainment are. The inward Chambers of these Apartments, for Privacy, are always lock’d, and are secured by an Iron Door. The Basilica itself consists of fifteen large Apartments, in the Figure of a Dome, has four Doors, and is supported by eight Pillars; the Roof is Brick-work, and leaded at Top. The new Basilica is supported with twelve Pillars built of a square Stone; four Arches bear upon these Pillars, which support twenty small Roofs, built in the Form of a Dome. There stand round about sixty Merchants Warehouses, or Shops with50 arch’d Roofs. Within the Basilica there are two hundred and twenty more of these Warehouses, which are made after the following Manner. Round the Walls of the Basilica are built abundance of very broad Pews, where the Merchants expose their Goods to Sale, which they take out of Presses, (when they would shew them to their Chapmen) which have Boxes of Drawers in them, the Masters always sitting before them. These Presses are fasten’d to the Wall, have two Folding Doors, and are removable at Pleasure.

Chap. XI.

Of the third Hill.

THE third Hill is bounded on each Side by two Valleys: That which lies to the East, divides it from the second Hill, the Western Valley divides it from the fourth. The Ridge of this Hill is above a thousand Paces in Length. It shoots from the Top of the Promontory Southward, Northward to the Bay of Ceras, almost in an equal Height. The second Hill on the contrary falls with a surprizing Descent, from the utmost Height of the Promontory, to the lowest Plain on the Bay Shore. The third Hill, at the Top of it is a Level of a great Length. It extends itself at the Foot of it, more by three hundred Paces to the North, than the Foot of the second Hill. It is not in all Places of an equal Breadth; at the Top of the Promontory itself ’tis51 every way about eight hundred Paces. Here ’tis that the Seraglio stands. On that part of the Plain which lies to the East, stands the Merchants Forum, a Caravansera, and the Sepulchre of Bajazet the Emperor. On the South Side of it is an open Area, round which stand the Booksellers Shops. On that part of it which lies Northward, stand the Works which the Emperour Solyman is now building, namely his Tomb, a Caravansera, and a magnificent and expensive Mosque. They are built not only upon the natural Situation of the Ground there, but also upon artificial Foundations. This Hill, on three Sides of it, descends upon three lesser Hills. For on that Side of it which lies Eastward, where stands the Tower of Hirena, a small Hill jets out into the second Valley. The long Projecture of this Hill, on the Ridge of it towards the Bay, makes another small Hill which lies Northward, and from that Side of it which points Westward, where stands the Church of St. Theodore, there shoots another little Hill out of the Middle of it, to the Plain which lies on the Sea Shore. Two Sides of this Hill descend in a double Declivity, one in a strait, and the other in an oblique Line. The Eastern Side of the third Hill, after it has extended itself to thirteen hundred Paces Distance, abates somewhat of its winding Descent, but the nearer you descend to the Plain, it falls with a more direct and confined Declivity. The Descents falling from the Ridge of the Hill to the Valley differ very much, the uppermost of them hanging over a very deep Valley, rise to the Height of five hundred Paces, the lowest three hundred of which52 are very steep, the three hundred Paces above them are scarce half of that Steepness. The other Descents of this Hill are not so shelving, where the Valley rises higher. The Western Side of the Hill, as to its Declivities, is like the Eastern. The Northern Side of it has several Descents: For a lesser Hill, shooting from the Ridge of this Hill, is five hundred Paces high, the lower most three hundred of which fall so precipitately, that the Buildings which stand upon them, are all under-propp’d, the two hundred Paces above them fall with an easy Descent. The Descents on this Side of the Hill, the farther they lie from the Plain on the Sea Shore, the more are they lengthen’d by a sideling Fall, which rises on the Eastern Side of the Hill. The Plain on the Shore, as discontinued by the Inlet of the Bay, is not above two hundred Paces in Breadth, but at the Foot of the Hill, in other Parts of it, it sensibly widens up to the Entrance of the Valleys. The Grand Seraglio, seated on the Side of this Hill, when I first arrived at Constantinople, was little less than six thousand Paces in Compass, but is at present more closely straiten’d, since the Caravansera’s have been built there by the Sultan Solyman, and the burying Place for the Women (which is at least half the Ground) has been taken out of it and enclosed. The left Side of the Promontory, which lies behind the third Hill to the South, jets out with two lesser Hills; from one of which that shoots Eastward, the Side of the Promontory which winds round Westward to the other Hill, which is seated a little above the Foot of the Promontory; and at the Bottom of this Hill, the Promontory53 admits the third Valley, which lies behind it, and from thence stretches full North. The left Side therefore of the third Hill hath a double Descent; the one towards the South, which is six hundred Paces high, another extending itself South South-west, seven hundred Paces high; but at full West it falls very short of that Height. The Plain that lies between the back Southern Parts of the third Hill, and the Shore of the Propontis, is in no part of it less than three hundred Paces broad, nor above seven hundred Paces long. The Plain of the Valley which encloses the Foot of the Hill Westward, and which divides the seventh Hill from the Promontory, reaching from the Shore of the Propontis, where the Walls are not encompassed by the Sea, is almost upon a Level, and is in every part of it five hundred Paces in Breadth. The three Hills I have mention’d, may very properly be called the Promontory of the Bosporus; for they hang over the Sea in such a manner, that whether you sail to Constantinople out of the Black Sea, or the Propontis, you may see them at a great Distance, prominent over the Chaps of the Bosporus. The third Valley seems to separate the other three Hills, which lie farther into the Continent from these. The Reason why I place six Hills in the Promontory of the Bosporus is, because these latter Hills all stand in a Row near the Bay, and are join’d together both at the Top and the Sides of them. The Plain which unfolds itself on the Ridge of the third Hill, descends gently into a Plain which hangs over the third Valley, and is six hundred and twenty Paces in Length, and as many in Breadth.

54

Chap. XII.

Of the third Valley.

THE third Valley, which lies between the third and the fourth Hill, seems to be a double Valley; for in the Middle of it, it rises high, which makes it doubtful whether it be a part of the Valley, or the Promontory. That the Height of it is a part of the Valley, seems plain from the Height of the Arches, which reach from one Side of the Valley to the other; and it may be look’d upon to be the Ridge of the Promontory, from the Descent of the extreme Parts of it falling to the right and left, on each Side of the Promontory. On the right Side of which, it descends into a very low Plain, which, at its first Entrance, is three hundred Paces broad, and continues on upon a Level to the Length of five hundred Paces more; and though it sinks at Bottom into an equal Depth, yet the Pitches or Sides of it, in some Places, are higher than in others. For where the Plain is most hollow, there one of the Sides of it is three times higher than the other. From this Plain you ascend by easy Steps to the Top of the Middle of the Valley, which is six hundred Paces wide, except that small part of it in the Middle, where it is not above four hundred Paces in Breadth. Through the Top of this Valley, or Promontory, run the Arches of an Aqueduct from the fourth to the third Hill, of55 the same Height, at the Top of them, with the Hills themselves. The Altitude of these Arches discovers how great the Descent is from them. For though they are alike equal in Height at the Top of them, yet this Height is very different, according to the Difference of their Situations. For they are very high at the Top of the Valley, which is a plain level Ground, but upon the Descent of the Hills not near so high, and continue to the Length of eight hundred Paces in the same Height, though the higher they stand upon these Hills, they are less tall. The Top of this Valley or Promontory, descends with a gentle Fall of seven hundred Paces into a Plain, which divides the Promontory from the seventh Hill, and from thence extends itself to the Propontis. The City from the Bay to the Propontis, passing thro’ the third Valley, is more than ten Furlongs in Breadth.

Chap. XIII.

Of the fourth Hill.

THE fourth Hill is enclosed with two Valleys, the Ridge of the Promontory, and the Shore of the Bay. Upon the Side of it stands the Tomb of Mahomet, (who took Constantinople) several Caravansera’s and Bagnio’s. It is above three thousand six hundred Paces in Compass. The Length, from the Ridge of it to the Bay, is a thousand Paces; the Breadth of it, from East to West, is at least eight hundred. As you take a56 View of it from the Top, stretching in a Square towards the Bay, you perceive it to end in two Windings, though very different from each other. For that which points Northward stretches on in a continued Ridge, and has its Descents on both Sides, whereas that which shoots Eastward lies so low, that it seems to be only an Ascent to the other. At the End of it it winds Westward, where it forms a little Valley. This Hill Eastward is bounded by a Valley, and is parted from the third Hill; on the North by the Plain on the Shore, on the East partly by a Valley, which divides it from the fifth Hill, and partly by the winding of the Promontory, which rises in so gradual and delectable a manner, from the Top of the fourth to the Top of the fifth Hill, that you discover the Ridge of it to be uneven, more by a nice Discernment of the Eye, than by any Difficulty in walking it. For these Hills are join’d together in such a manner, that they seem to lie upon a Level. They are both of them one Plain, which, covering the Top of the fourth Hill, is not above four hundred Paces in Length, nor more than two hundred in Breadth, tho’ afterwards, when continu’d to the fifth Hill, it widens into the Breadth of five hundred Paces. The fourth Hill, tho’ it is equal in Height to any of the other six, yet its Ascents, whether they lie in a strait Line, or more obliquely, are more moderate, by reason it is a long Tract of Ground with three Declivities. The first of which, thro’ the Length of the whole, descends from the Southwest full North more than a thousand Paces; two hundred of which rising from the Sea Shore are a more easy Ascent, the57 rest rise so very gently that you can scarce perceive them, although the uppermost hundred of them, which reach to the Top of the Hill, are very steep. The cross Descent which runs athwart the Breadth of the Hill is double, one of which falls Westward; the other, which shelves Eastward, rises from the Valley, which divides the third and fourth Hill. From the highest part of this Valley you climb an Ascent two hundred Paces in Height. Below the Top of it is another Ascent, which is five hundred Paces high, one hundred of which rising from the Bottom are very steep. The Height of the rest, which are an easy Ascent, you discover by the Level of the Aqueduct. From the Bottom of the Valley you ascend four hundred Paces, the first hundred and eighty of which are very steep, after which you may walk two hundred more almost upon a Level. From hence you rise to the Middle of it, which is higher, and is a hundred Paces in Breadth. It is also elevated eight hundred Paces in Length, from the Top of it to the Bottom. From hence you descend two hundred Paces Westward to the lowest Part of the Valley, which divides the fourth and the fifth Hill, which is all a narrow Piece of Ground, and about four hundred Paces in Length. The first two hundred Paces upon the Shore of the Bay are all upon a Level; but it is an Uncertainty whether they are a part of the Valley, or the Sea Shore. For this Valley is enclosed in such a manner by these two Hills, as the fourth is bounded by the Plain upon the Shore, which is two hundred Paces broad, whereas the fifth does scarce descend so far. The following58 eight hundred Paces are much upon the same Level, the last four hundred of which, stretching to the Top of the Promontory, are very steep. The Plain upon the Shore, passing between the Bay and the fourth Hill, is of a different Breadth. For that part of it which extends itself to the South-western Point of the Hill, is four hundred Paces broad, whereas that part of it which extends itself to the Northern Point, is no more in Breadth than two hundred Paces. In short, such is the Situation of the fourth Hill, that when you sail along the Bay, you would take it to be an advanced part of the third Valley. For the Top of this Hill runs so far Southward, that its Descents, shelving very moderately, seem almost upon a Level; whereas the Top of the fifth Hill, which is of the same Height, projects beyond the fourth directly Northward. The Descents on the Back of the third Hill, which lie Southward, are very easy and agreeable, till you come to the Plain of the Vale, which divides the Promontory from the seventh Hill; so that the back part of this Hill shoots Southward, and is not bounded on either Side of it by the third Valley. This Southern Part of it is somewhat narrow, just beyond a little Hill of the third Valley, near a Caravansera, built by the Sultan Mahomet; but behind the fifth Hill, below the Columna Virginea, ’tis straitned much more.

59

Chap. XIV.

Of the Fifth Hill.

THE Bottom of the fifth Hill, on the Top of which stands the Tomb of Selymus the Emperor, as bounded partly by the Bay, and partly by an Eastern and Western Valley, is four thousand Paces in Compass. The Pitch of this Hill hangs so far over the Bay Northward, and the Pitch of the fourth Hill lies so low towards the same Point, that the fourth Hill seems to be a kind of Valley, situate between the third, and the fifth Hill. For the fifth Hill does not join at Top, and continue the Ridge of the Promontory as other Hills do, but being of an equal Heighth with it, shoots to a great Distance beyond it running as far Northward, as does the Foot of the fourth Hill. It has a Descent on three Sides of it; one to the North, the Steepness of which the Reader may learn from hence, that altho’ it is very near the Heighth of the fourth Hill, which is above a thousand Paces high, yet the highest Ascent of this Hill comes nearer upon the Line, than that of any other Hill, to the lowest Ascent from the Bottom; for you ascend thro’ a little Valley, no more than three hundred Paces high to the Top of it. This Valley is form’d by two small Hills adjoining to the Shore of the Bay, upon which, at about four hundred Paces distance, you discover some Stone Steps, belonging to a60 Foundation of a Caravansera, built by the Emperor Selymus. This Northern Side of the Hill has four small Hills jetting out of it, three small Valleys running between them, which rise from the Top of the Hill, and are situate at such a Distance from the Plain upon the Shore, that two of them touch the Wall which stands upon it; the other two are a hundred Paces from it. The Plain upon the Shore is in no Part of it narrower than it is at the Foot of this Hill; for to the Distance of a thousand Paces, it does not exceed a hundred Paces in Breadth, and in some Places not fifty. Two of these Hills are very steep, so that the Buildings you see upon them, as tho’ they were in danger of falling, are all underpropp’d, and the Inhabitants have been oblig’d to cut Windings in the Rocks to moderate the Descent. The other two are less Precipitate, the Valleys which enclose them not lying so deep. The Side of the Hill which shoots Eastward is one thousand four hundred Paces in Length, and two hundred in Breadth, and its Altitude two hundred Paces upon the Perpendicular. The Height of the Side of it, which falls Westward, shelves into a different Depth, according as the Valley sinks. Where it descends into a Level Plain, it advances its Top to the Height of five hundred Paces. In other Places it rises no higher than three hundred, with a very moderate Ascent. The Side of the Promontory which points Southward, situate behind the fifth Hill, ends in the Plain of the Valley, which divides the Promontory from the seventh Hill. In other Places it falls with a more confined, and61 sometimes with a more expanded Descent, upon a small thick Hill, which hangs over the fifth Valley; as also over that Valley which parts the Promontory from the seventh Hill. The back Part of the fifth Hill does also wind it self into a small Valley, which rises at the Brow of the Promontory, where not long since was remaining the Columna Virginea. From hence the Ridge of the Promontory somewhat bends over the Top of the Plain of the fifth Hill, which in some Places is six hundred, and in others seven hundred Paces broad. But beyond the Ridge of this Hill it widens to a great Distance, as far as the Plain of the fourth Hill, and shoots on with the Plain of the Promontory, and falls down to the Neck of the Isthmus, and so extending it self still on, is at least two thousand Paces in Length.

Chap. XV.

Of the Fifth Valley.

THE fifth Valley, which divides the fifth from the sixth Hill, winding from North to South, is as long as the Promontory is broad; that is, about twelve hundred Paces; the first eight hundred of which have no Ascent. The Valley, at the first Entrance into it, is at least four hundred Paces broad, but is afterwards straitned into half that Breadth; and yet to the Length of six hundred Paces, ’tis in no Place less than two hundred Paces broad. Farther, ’tis at least62 five hundred Paces wide. Above this, is the Top of the Valley, or the Ridge of the Promontory, opening upon a Level Breadth of two hundred Paces. From the Top of this Promontory, to the left Side of it, there falls a Valley with a gentle Descent, to the Distance of five hundred Paces, where it descends into another Valley, which divides the Promontory from the seventh Hill. The fifth Valley seems to cut through the Ridge of the Promontory. This may easily be discerned by the right and left Descent of the two Hills which lie nearest to it; for there is a very easy Ascent from the Height of this Valley, to the Top of either Hill.

Chap. XVI.

THE sixth Hill is just as long as the Promontory is broad, which is widen’d upon this Hill to the Breadth of two thousand four hundred Paces. The City Walls shoot over the Ridge, and the North Side of it down to the Sea Shore. You descend gradually from the Top of it within the Walls; without the Walls it lies upon a Level, and is join’d to the Continent by a Field in the Suburbs. The broadest part of it is not above eight hundred Paces, the narrowest but four hundred. It descends with a treble Declivity; one on the left Hand of the Promontory, with an easy Descent at South-east; another on the right falling to the Bay Northward,63 which extends itself to the Distance of fifteen hundred Paces. There are two lesser Hills, separated by a small Valley, which run between them. At the Foot of that lesser Hill which stands nearest to the City Wall, there is an Aqueduct. Between this Hill and the Bay, there formerly stood the Church of the Blachernæ, which has been recorded in the Writings of many Historians. The Foundation of this Church was remaining, when I first arrived at Constantinople. From the Foot of this Hill, which stands above the Church I have mention’d, there rises a Spring, whose Waters are convey’d thro’ arch’d subterraneous Passages into the City, where, appearing above Ground, they flow constantly into a Marble Cistern. That Side of the sixth Hill which lies Eastward, is as long as the Hill itself; but does not, in all parts of it, fall with the same Descent. For the Descent varies, according as the Valley adjoining lies higher or lower. Where the Valley lies upon the Level, the Pitch of the Hill rises to the Height of six hundred Paces; where it does not lie so low, ’tis not above five hundred Paces high; where it rises higher, not above four hundred. Nor does this Side of the Hill shoot only Eastward, but does also, on the right Side of it, project Northward, and on the left Side of it extend itself full South-west. The Plain on the Shore, which lies between the Foot of the Hill and the Bay, in the narrow part of it, is not above eight hundred Paces broad, I mean in that Place where the Church of the Blachernæ stood formerly, as did also a Triclinium; but farther on it winds64 round into the third Valley, and widens much more.

Chap. XVII.

Of the Valley which divides the Promontory from the seventh Hill.

THE Valley which divides the seventh from the six Hills of the Promontory, is an easy Descent. It extends itself in Length to the Distance of four thousand Paces, if you take in the Plain on the Sea Shore. If you exclude that, and take your Dimensions from the winding of the seventh Hill, ’tis not above three thousand three hundred Paces long. It lies so much upon a Level, that you cannot perceive by walking it, that it has the least Ascent; yet you may discover by the Discernment of the Eye that it sensibly lengthens and widens itself into a greater Breadth. It bounds the Sides of the third and the fifth Valley, and the lowest Eminences of the fifth and sixth Hills. It is full of Gardens and pleasant Meadows. Here the Soldiers sometimes act their Mock-Fights. There’s a Rivulet which runs through the Middle of it, which is often dry in Summer Time.

65

Chap. XVIII.

Of the seventh Hill.

THE seventh Hill is called the Xerolophos, on which stands the Pillar of Arcadius. This Hill is little less than twelve thousand Paces in Circumference, and contains more than a third Part of the City. The other two Parts are comprehended in the Compass of the Promontory, which is above twenty thousand Paces in Circumference. By Paces, I would here be thought to mean the ordinary Steps we take in Walking, which I cannot exactly reduce to a just Mensuration with the Roman Pace, by reason of the Turnings and Windings of the Ways, and the Differences of Paces, which are longer or shorter, according to the different Ascents and Descents of the Ground we walk. This Hill makes the third Angle of the City, from whence Constantinople is look’d upon to be of a triangular Figure. It lies shelving with a very moderate Descent, and has a double Declivity; one of which falls gently into the Valley, which divides the seventh Hill from the Promontory, and is of an equal Length with the Valley itself. The other Descent, which partly lies to the South-east, and partly to the South, falls into the Propontis, and is in some Places five hundred Paces steep, in others four hundred, three hundred, a hundred, nay even fifty, till it comes to the Point of the third Angle of the City, whence66 a large Plain shoots out towards the Sea, which, in different Places, is of a different Breadth. The Entrance of this Plain, at the Angle of the City just mention’d, is very narrow; it afterwards widens, which is occasioned by the Winding of one of its Sides, from whence it gently rises to the Foot of a small Hill, where ’tis four hundred Paces broad; onwards it is straiten’d into fifty, and afterwards is widen’d into a Breadth of a hundred Paces only. The End of this Plain, to the Distance of a thousand Paces, is more than four hundred Paces broad. On the Ridge of this Hill, there is a Plain of some Length and Breadth; the Hill itself is bounded by the Land Wall, and on the Top of it is a Cistern which is call’d Mocisia, which is wholly unroof’d, and stripp’d of its Pillars. This Cistern is nine hundred and seventy Paces in Circumference. The Walls of it, which are made of squared Free-stone, are still remaining; and the Ground where it stands, is now turn’d into a Garden.

Thus is it that I have laid before the Reader a Plan or Description of the Situation of the City of Constantinople, by which means the Situation of the Wards of that City will be more easily discovered. I hope I shall not be thought to have dwelt too long on this Subject, since a verbal Delineation of it is the most concise way of coming to the Knowledge of it. For although Constantinople, by reason of the Eminency of its Situation, affords a most agreeable Prospect at the remotest Distance, yet thus to particularize the several Parts of the City, leads the Reader into a more exact and more expeditious Insight into it, than any other Method of Information whatsoever.

67

Chap. XIX.

Of the Walls of the City.

THE Walls of Constantinople, in some Places, are built with squared Free-stone, in others with rough Stone, and in many Places with an Intermixture of Brick and Stone together. The Walls on the Land Side are double, secured with a large Ditch five and twenty Paces broad. One of the Walls is carry’d somewhat farther than the Length of the Ditch, and is very strongly fortified. These Walls stand at eighteen Foot Distance from each other. The inward Wall is very lofty, and more than twenty Foot in Thickness, upon which are built two hundred and fifty Towers with Steps, facing the Continent. The outward Wall is not above half as big, but has the same Number of Towers. As to the Nature of its Fortification, the Ground that takes up the Distance between the Ditch and the outward Wall, is higher than the adjoining Side of the Ditch, and the Ground between the two Walls is higher than that. The Countrey opening without the Walls is not incumber’d with Buildings, and is partly hilly, and partly upon the Level, but chiefly upon the latter, so that you have a delightful Prospect over the Fields before you, and a very extensive View all about you: And there is no68 Doubt to be made, but that Constantinople might be made a terrible strong Place. The Walls which run round the Sea, are not so high as the Land Walls; they are a plain Building, but very thick, and well guarded with Towers. On the Side of the Bay Ceras, they are about fifty Paces distant from the Shore. On the Side of the Bosporus and the Propontis, they are built upon the Shore, except where they are discontinu’d by some Port or Landing-place. Zonaras relates, that Theophilus the Emperor not only repaired, but raised these Walls higher, after they had been much impair’d by Time, and the Dashings of the Sea. This is also confirm’d to us down even to the present Age; for in many Places of them, I observ’d the Name of Theophilus the Emperor was cut in very large Characters. The Emperor Nicephorus was hated by his People for levying a Tax upon them, which was call’d Diceraton, for repairing these Walls. I learn from the Constitutions of Justinian, that in his Time the Walls were commonly call’d the old and the new Walls, where he decrees, That a larger Fee shall be paid the Bearers, and those who attend a Corpse beyond the new Walls of the City. What I would observe from hence is, that the old Walls which were built by Constantine, and that the new Walls which were built by Theodosius the Less, were both standing in the Reign of Justinian. The Walls of old Byzantium I have described in the Beginning of this Book; and as to the Condition they were in formerly, we may learn more fully from Herodian, who writes, that Byzantium was inclosed with a very large and a very strong Wall, made of square69 Stones of a great Size, so artfully cemented, that it was look’d upon as one compacted Piece of Work. This is also confirm’d by the Authority of Pausanias, who tells us, That he never saw the Walls of Babylon, or of Memnon, nor ever heard of any Person who had seen them: But the Walls of Byzantium and Rhodes, says he, are accounted exceeding strong; and yet the Walls which inclose Messene are stronger than these. ’Tis recorded by some Historians, that the Athenians kept their Treasury at Byzantium, because it was a well fortify’d Place. Whether those Walls which the Author of the Ancient Description of the Wards calls the double Walls are the same which we see at Constantinople at present, or whether they were built by Theodosius, I leave it to the Judgment of the Reader. Thus far I shall give my Opinion, viz. That they do not seem to me to be entirely the same Walls which that Author describes. For he places the Church of the Apostles in a Ward which is near to the Walls of the City, and places the fourteenth Ward without the Walls of the City, which at present, if not all of it, at least the best part of it, is within the Walls. I would add, that Theodosius the Less, who reign’d before Justinian, does not place the Blachernæ within the Walls of the City, and yet I have the Authority of Procopius, that these were apart of the Suburbs in the Time of Justinian, tho’ at present they are enclosed within the Walls, as were also the seven Towers, and the Church which was built by Stadius, (or rather Studius) who was afterwards Consul.

70

Chap. XX.

Of the Gates of Constantinople, and the seven Towers of Old Byzantium.

THE Walls on the Side of the Continent have six Gates; one within the Palace of Constantine, another, which is call’d the Adrianopolitan Gate, and a third on the Brow of the seventh Hill. Besides these, there is the Porta Aurea or Gilded Gate, the Gate of Selymbria or Rhegium, and the Gate of the seven Towers. On the Side of the Bay Ceras is the Gate of the Blachernæ, at present call’d Xyloporta, seated near the third Angle of the City. There are also the Gates call’d Cynigos, or Porta Palatina, Phanaria, Agia, Porta Jubalica, Farinaria, Lignaria, Seminaria, Piscaria, the Gate of the Neorium, and the Gate of Demetrius, which stands on the Ridge of the first Hill. On the Side of the Propontis there are about five; every one of which has Stairs, or a Landing-place, and a Haven for Ships, besides the Gates of the Imperial Palace. There is also the Porta Stercoraria, Leonina, Condescala, two of which stand at the Foot of the seventh Hill. Those which have been principally taken Notice of by Historians, are the Gates of Cynigos, Rhegium and Xylocerum, also the Gate of Eugenius, the Porta Aurea, that call’d Myriandros, the Porta Condescala, and Porta Carsiana. In old Byzantium there was the Thracian Gate. For we71 are told by Dion, that the seven Towers reach’d from the Thracian Gate to the Sea, which Cedrinus tells us was the Bay Ceras. If any one spoke any thing in the first of these Towers, it immediately flew to the second, and so through all the rest, so that you might hear the Voice distinctly repeated in every one of them. Pliny tells the very same Story of Cyzicus. In that City, says he, near the Thracian Gate there are seven Towers, which multiply the Voice by Repetition, or Reiteration, more than seven times. This, he adds, was look’d upon by the Grecians as somewhat miraculous, and was call’d the Echo. I never found any Mention made of the Thracian Gates in any Historian but in Pliny, though it is not altogether improbable, that there were such Gates there; for Apollonius, in the first Book of his Argonauticks, mentions the Thracian Haven in Cyzicus; and Plutarch is very express, that near this City there was a Street call’d the Thracian Street. This is also attested not only by some more modern Writers of Constantinople, but also by Dion and Xenophon; the latter of whom writes, That when Alcibiades appear’d before the Town, the Byzantians open’d the Thracian Gates to him of their own Accord.

72

Chap. XXI.

Of the long Walls.

THE Suburbs and Fields adjoining were inclosed with Walls of such an immoderate Length, that they extended themselves from the City to the Distance of a two Days Journey. They were built by Anastasius the Emperor to prevent the Incursions of the Scythians and Bulgarians, reach’d from the Black Sea to the Propontis, were forty thousand Paces remote from the City, and twenty Roman Foot in Breadth. These Walls were often taken and batter’d by the barbarous Nations, but repair’d by Justinian; and that the Soldiers garrisoned there might defend them to the best Advantage, he order’d the Passages of one Tower to another to be stopp’d up, no Entrance being allow’d, but the Door at the Bottom of the Steps, by which it was ascended; so that by this means it was sufficiently guarded, though the Enemies Forces were in the Heart of the City. Evagrius the sacred Historian tells us, that Anastasius built the long Wall, which was two hundred and eighty Furlongs distant from the City, that it reach’d from Sea to Sea, was four hundred Furlongs in Length, that it was a good Security to those who sail’d out of the Black Sea to the Propontis, and that it put a Stop to the Excursions of the barbarous Nations.

The End of the First Book.

73

THE
ANTIQUITIES
OF
Constantinople.

BOOK II.

Chap. I.

Of the Buildings and Monuments of Old Byzantium and Constantinople, called New Rome.

Having describ’d the Figure and Extent of the City, and having particularized the Situation of the seven Hills, I shall proceed to consider what Buildings and Monuments Constantinople anciently had, or now has, and into how many74 Wards it was divided. For when I accidentally fell upon this Division of the City into Wards, in an ancient Manuscript written above one thousand Years ago, by a Gentleman more noble by his Birth than his Writings, I was in hopes, with some Ease, to have traced out the ancient City; but the barbarous Mahometans have either so demolish’d those venerable and truly heroick Ornaments which distinguish’d it, to adorn their own paultry Houses, or entirely buried them in their own Ruins, that in very few Places you shall see any Remains of an old Foundation. I omit to mention the Fires and other Devastations, committed not only by the Savages of other Countries, but the great Havock lately made by the Turks themselves, who for the last hundred Years have incessantly endeavour’d entirely to deface and destroy it, by building upon it in so different a Manner, that those who have formerly seen some parts of it, scarce know its ancient Situation. Consider farther the profound Ignorance of the Greeks at present. There is scarce a Man of them who either knows, or has so much as an Inclination to know, where their Antiquities are. Nay, their Priests are so heedless and negligent in this Respect, that they will not make the least Enquiry themselves about those Places, where but a few Years since very magnificent Temples were standing, and so very censorious are they, as to condemn those that do. However, that I might not pass away my Time uselessly, while I was in Expectation of Remittances from my Royal Master, for purchasing all the ancient Manuscripts I could meet with, I made it my Business, by all the Marks of Antiquity75 I was capable of observing, to make what Discoveries I could. In my Description of the ancient Monuments, I shall observe the same Method I did in the Description of the Hills. I shall consider them in the Order the Hills stand, or as I find them in the different Wards of the City; which, like Old Rome, was divided into fourteen Wards.

Chap. II.

Of the Ancient Monuments of the first Hill, and of the first Ward of the City.

THE first Hill, which Pliny sometimes calls Chrysoceras, and sometimes Auri Cornu, (though this was a Mistake, as appears from what I have wrote concerning the Thracian Bosporus) Dionysius a Byzantian calls the Promontory of the Bosporus. There are two Reasons assigned, says he, why ’tis call’d the Promontory of the Bosporus; the one is, as some say, because a Cow stung with a Gad-Bee forded over it. Others more fabulously report, that Io, the Daughter of Inachus, being changed into a Cow, swam across it, when she went into Asia. The same Author, speaking of a Place call’d Semystra, tells us, that Byzantium had been founded there, had not a Raven snatched a Part of the Sacrifice, they offer’d upon their landing, out of the Fire, and carry’d it to the Promontory of the Bosporus. This they look’d upon as a Token from the Gods, that they should found their City there. The same Writer, speaking in another76 Place of a Promontory call’d Metopum, opposite to the first Hill of Constantinople, this Promontory, he adds, faces the City, and lies directly against the Promontory of the Bosporus; and the same Author informs us, that a little above the Promontory of the Bosporus, there was an Altar erected to Minerva, who was call’d Ecbasia, or Egressoria, because those who transplanted the Colony hither, sally’d out from thence, with a Bravery equal to those, who fight for their Countrey. We might also call her Ecbateria, under which Name, as Hesychius reports, Diana was worshipped in Siphnus. He adds farther, that upon the same Promontory stood the old Temple of Neptune, and below it, upon the Plain, that the Byzantian Youth exercised themselves in Horse-racing, driving the Chariot, Wrestling, and other Martial Sports; and lastly, that at the Foot of the Promontory stood a Bay call’d Ceras, which had three Havens, fortify’d with three Cittadels, and high Sand-banks, upon it stood the Castle of Byzantium, of which Xenophon takes Notice, when he tells us, that the Men under his Command, having forc’d their Way into the Town, the Inhabitants fearing they should be put to the Sword if their City was taken, some fled to the adjoining Promontory, others to the Sea, and that some of them steering about a long time in a Fisher-boat, made at last a landing, got into a Tower, from thence made Signals of Distress, and were assisted at last by the People of Chalcedon. And not only the Castle of old Byzantium was built upon the first Hill, but Historians assure us, that the Emperours of Constantinople likewise continu’d a Fortress77 there, when they tell us, that to keep off the Enemy from entring the Port, they laid a Boom across the River, from the Cittadel to the Castle of Galata: Nay, even at this Day, the Grand Seignor has a Cittadel there, fortify’d with thick Walls, which enclose his spacious Gardens on all sides. In old Byzantium there was a Place call’d the Thracian Field, lying upon a Level, and not incumber’d with Houses. It was upon this Plain that Xenophon drew up in Military Order the Grecian Army. He informs us, in his Book of his Hellenici, that this Field was near the Thracian Gate; they open’d, says he, the Gates adjoining the Thracian Field: And in the 7ᵗʰ Book of the Expedition of Cyrus, speaking of a Place, seated near the Walls of Byzantium, where he ranged his Army in order of Battle, he tells us, that the most convenient Place to draw up, or muster an Army is, the Thracian Field; because, as he goes on, ’tis free of Houses, and upon a Plain. I observ’d before, that the seven Towers of Byzantium reach’d from the Thracian Gate to the Sea; Georgius Cedrinus asserts, that they reach’d to the Northern-Sea, that is, to the Bay call’d Ceras. Herodotus attests, that in old Byzantium stood an Altar erected to Diana Orthosia, and a Temple dedicated to Bacchus. Darius, says he, upon viewing the Black Sea, came back to the Bridge, and erected upon the Bosporus two Stone Columns, on which he order’d to be engraven the Assyrian and Greek Alphabets. The Byzantians afterwards removed them into the City, near to the Altar of Diana Orthosia. The Greek Alphabet was what they retain’d, and made use of. The Column with the Assyrian78 Characters they left remaining near the Temple of Bacchus, where they had fix’d it. Laurentius translates the Greek Word Orthosia, Erecta, but he had translated it more properly, had he call’d her Erectoria, or Erectrix, because as being the Goddess of Child-birth she raises up, or recovers Women in Labour. This I collect to be the true Sense of the Word, not only from several Authors, but from Plutarch, who in his Book of Rivers, has this Story: Proud Teuthras, King of Mysia, says he, with his Retinue of Spearmen chas’d a Boar, which fled into the Temple of Diana Orthosia to implore her Assistance. As they were all driving furiously into the Temple, the Boar cry’d out with an audible human Voice, Let your Compassion, Royal Sir, be shewn to one whom Diana brought into the World. Teuthras enraged at this, slew the Creature. Diana resenting the Affront, threw the King into a Phrenzy, and punished him with ulcerous Sores. He could not bear the Indignity of his Punishment, and so retired to the Mountains. His Mother Lysippa, immediately, with the Prophet Polyidius, who inform’d her of the Occasion of her Son’s Sufferings, hastens in Search of him, and by sacrificing to Diana some Oxen, reconciles her to him. When she perceiv’d her Son return’d to his Senses, she erected an Altar to Diana Orthosia, and near it placed a Golden Boar, with a Man’s Head upon his Shoulders. Before the Destruction of Byzantium by Severus, both the Altar and the Boar were standing, in the first Valley of the first Hill. Since Constantine rebuilt the City, the first Hill included in it the first Ward, which contain’d the House of79 Placidia Augusta, that also of the most noble Marina, and the Baths of Arcadius. I learn this from the ancient Division of the City into Wards, though I must confess myself at a Loss, to know in what Part of the City the first Ward began, nor can I make any such Discovery from the Remains of any ancient Buildings, which are now entirely destroy’d. However, thus much may be inferr’d from Procopius, who has it upon Record, that when you sail from the Propontis to the Eastern Part of the City, there stand the publick Baths, built by Arcadius. In this Place, says he, Justinian built a Court, which was encompassed with so calm a Sea, that when you walk’d in the Galleries, you might discourse audibly with the Sailors. It made a very beautiful, a very delightful, and most magnificent Prospect: It was fann’d with gentle Breezes, supported with lofty Columns, and laid with the most curious Marble, which like the Sun, reflected a most amazing Lustre: It was also adorn’d with abundance of Marble and brazen Statues, finish’d to the nicest Perfection; a lovely Scene to the Spectators! The Reader, had he seen it, would have taken it to have been the Work of Phidias, Lysippus, or Praxiteles. Upon a high Pillar of Porphyry Marble, in the same Place, stood the Statue of the Empress Theodora, addressing herself, as it were, to him for building so noble a Structure. The Beauty of the Column is exceedingly surprising, yet does it by no means come up to that inconceivable inexpressible Gracefulness and Dignity you see in the Statue. From these Words of Procopius, as I would observe by the By, that80 that Pillar now landing upon a Descent, lying Eastward of the Grand Seignor’s Palace, is not the same with that upon which Theodora was erected, as some are of Opinion it is; because it is neither of a Porphyry Colour, and is at too remote a Distance form the Court; so would I have the Reader understand, that the first Ward contain’d in it the Length of the first Hill, which is bounded on three Sides by the Sea. I find not only in many Historians, but also in Suidas the Grammarian, that the Statue of Arcadia, the second Wife of Zeno, stood in the Arcadian Baths, near the Places call’d the Bathra, from the Stairs by which you ascend them. I find also in that Place two Statues of Verina, the Wife of Leo Magnus, one in the Northern Part of the City, near the Church of St. Agathonicus beyond the Bathra, the other on that Side of the City where stands the Church of St. Barbara: The first was erected by Leo in his Life-time, the second since his Death; when upon the Flight of Zeno, his Son in Law, his Brother Basiliscus was crown’d Emperor in his stead. I have reason to believe, when I consider the natural Situation and Order in which the Wards stand, that Part of the second Ward was inclos’d in the Palace: For this Ward, according to the ancient Description of it, at its first Entrance stood upon a Level; at some Distance it rose by a gentle Ascent, and at last, with very deep Precipices, fell into the Sea. I am of Opinion, that these Precipices descended on that Spot of Ground where the Kitchens, and Bagnio’s of the Grand Seignor stand at present. But where-ever they might stand in ancient Times, all the81 steep Places that were formerly enclosed within the Palace are now levell’d, where now there stands an old Church commonly call’d Sophia the Less. Some of the most ancient Inhabitants affirm it to be the Church of St. Irene, which Socrates tells us was built by Constantine the Great. I take it to be the same Church which the People of the second Ward call the Old Church. I have Reason also to believe, that the other Part of the second Ward stood without the Palace, from the Situation of the Churches and Bagnio’s, which the second Ward encloses. For Zonaras and other Historians assert, that the Church, which formerly went by the Name of the Great Church, was afterwards call’d the Church of St. Sophia, which every body knows stood without the Enclosure of the Palace. I have reason to conjecture also, that the Palace of Maximinus formerly stood within the Verge of the Court, from the following Inscription made in its Commendation by Cyrus, once a Consul and Nobleman of Rome.

82

Chap. III.

Of the Church of St. Sophia.

THE modern Writers among the Greeks will have it, that the Church of St. Sophia was first built by the Emperor Constantius, the Son of Constantine the Great, and arch’d at Top, not with Brick-work, but a wooden Roof. In the Time of Theodosius, when the second Synod was held there, the Arians rising in Sedition, burnt it. It was after rebuilt by Theodosius the Great, and beautified with Arches of a cylindrick Form. The same Writer tells us, that it was burnt a second time in the Reign of Justinian; but Sozomen, an ancient and creditable Author, records it, that in the Time of Theodosius the Less, when there were warm Debates in the great Church, about expelling St. Chrysostom the Synod, it was all on a sudden in a Blaze, those who adhered to him throwing Fire into it, with an Intention to burn down the Church, and to destroy all that were in it. Procopius will have it, that it was first burnt down in the Reign of Justinian, who rebuilt it in the same Figure it stands at present; but he does not tell us, whether it stands on the same Spot of Ground or not; so that it remains doubtful from this Author, who is not so much to be depended upon, though he has a Catalogue of the Names of the Persons of whom Justinian purchas’d the Houses where it stood before the Fire. An Ancient83 Description of the City, wrote before Justinian’s Time, seems to fix it in another Place; for the great Church and the old Church, the Author places in the second Ward, the Forum of Augustus in the fourth, which I shall make appear stood near the Church of St. Sophia. Zonaras says, that Justinian built it much larger from the old Foundation; but ’tis much to be question’d, whether Justinian purchas’d the neighbouring Houses for its Enlargement. As to the Forum of Augustus, and the great Church’s being placed in different Wards, we cannot from hence conclude, that they did not stand near one another. So that when Justinian had enlarged and beautify’d it, and adorned it with a great Variety of Metal-work, when he had built the Walls and Roof with Brick, and to strengthen them the more, had cramp’d them in many Places with Iron-work, using no Rafters in the whole Fabrick for fear of Fire; although it has hitherto escaped the Flames, yet has it been often damaged and endanger’d by several Accidents, even from the Time of its Rebuilding. For the Eastern Arch before it was finish’d, bore with its Weight so hard upon the Pillars, that in all Probability it had fell, had not the Architect been very expeditious in finishing it; when bearing upon its own Curvature, it laid less heavy upon the Pillars which supported it. The two Northern and Southern Arches bore so hard upon the Pillars and Foundation, that the Tops of the Pillars began to fly; and had sunk, if the Workmen had not with the greatest Skill taken them down, and afterwards replaced them, when the Greenness and Moisture of the Building was somewhat84 abated. The Church however, at the Emperor’s great Expence, and by the indefatigable Industry of the Workmen, was at last finish’d; yet in his own Time it was grievously shock’d by an Earthquake, by which, as Agathius writes, the Tower above the Roof was much shatter’d in the Middle of it; so that the Emperor was obliged to repair and strengthen it, raising it much higher than it was before. This was done when Anthemius the first Architect was dead. However young Isidorus, and some other Architects who succeeded him, notwithstanding the Errors committed in the former Building, did not judge it necessary to take down the Eastern or Western Arches, but widen’d the North and South Arches, and so visibly enlarged them, that the whole Building seem’d more regular and uniform; so that it was evident to the Eye of the Spectator, that the Sides of the Church, which terminated with their Arches in the Roof, were of an equal Dimension; and that the Architects had with so much Skill contracted the vast Vacuity of the Body of the Church into so narrow a Compass at the Top, that the whole Structure seem’d very proportionate and agreeable. Above the Arches, in the Middle of the Church, they raised a Dome or Cupola to a very great Height, which was regular, and not so round at Top as usual, but more spiked, and better contrived for the Security of the Building. Zonaras writes, That the great Church being finished and consecrated; it happen’d that the Eastern Arch was thrown down by an Earthquake, which broke the Pulpit and the Communion-Table, but was afterwards rebuilt by Justinian, who raised it85 twenty five Foot higher than it was before. The same Report, almost Word for Word, is given by Cedrinus. He also built other Pillars proportionable to the Weight of the Arch which bore upon them. On the Outside of the Church he built a Pair of Winding-steps against the Pillars, near to the Church, which rising from the Ground to the Roof of it, support the Pillars, and the Arches. Other Writers, but of less Note, will have it, that by the Earth-quake above-mention’d the Roof of the Church was thrown down, but that the Arches stood secure, that the Emperor rebuilt the Roof, but lower than before by twenty five Foot. I could, for my own part, bear with this Relation, if these Historians would agree with me, that the Church was afterwards shock’d with other Earth-quakes, and then built lower than it stood before. For when Evagrius tells us that Justinian raised it to such an Height, that within side of it you could scarce see the Top, and that the Descent was so deep, that it was dangerous to look from the Height of it downwards, it is very probable, that Justinian only raised it to its former Height. Cedrinus relates, that Basilius the Emperor gave Orders for repairing, and strengthening the great Western Arch, which was very much shatter’d by an Earth-quake, and likely to fall. Nicephorus inveighs bitterly against the Empress Anna, who in the Reign of Catacosmus, sacrilegiously robb’d the Church of all its Furniture and Ornaments, and exclaims heavily, that the Tyranny, Oppression, and the different Sects and Opinions of those Times, were the chief Occasion of the Destruction of this Church: For, as he subjoins,86 one Midnight when the Sky was very clear, one of the Eastern Arches fell to the Ground, and brought that Part of the Roof, which it supported, after it, which broke down the Pulpit, the Images which adorn’d it, and demolished the middle Galleries. He adds farther, that it was the Opinion of many in those Times, that if Andronicus the Emperor had not built Buttresses on the East-side of the Church, it had wholly sunk into Ruines. Evagrius determines the Length of the Church in the following manner: From the Arch, where the bloodless Sacrifice is offer’d, to the Gate opposite to it, it is an hundred and ninety Foot long; from North to South it is a hundred and fifteen Foot broad; and from the Pavement to the Center of the Roof, it is a hundred and eighty Foot high. It was dangerous for me to measure its Length from East to West, so that I was obliged to have the Dimensions of it taken for me by a Turk, who made his Report, that the Church was two hundred and thirteen Foot in Breadth, two hundred and forty in Length, and from the Pavement to the highest Curvature of the Arches, a hundred and forty two Foot in Height. The Fellow never measured the Roof; If he had taken the Height of it true, he had found but a small Difference between his own Account and that of Evagrius. Should the Reader desire to be inform’d more at large of the Dimensions, and the Architecture of this Church, as it stood in former Times, let him consult Procopius, Agathius, Paulus Florus, and Evagrius. What the Architecture and Dimensions of it are at present, I shall, as far as my Observations have reach’d, describe more fully in the following Chapter.

87

Chap. IV.

A Description of the Church of St. Sophia, as it now appears.

THE Walls and Roof of this Church are built with Brick. The Inside of the Walls of the Church are incrusted with elegant Marble of several Kinds. All its Materials are the most valuable Productions of Nature, so that the Prospect of it employs the Thoughts of the Spectator with Delight and Admiration. The Roof of it is a surprizing Piece of gilded Mosaick Work, which reflects such a Lustre upon the Eye, that even the Barbarians who behold it, are wonderfully taken with the Sight of it. This Roof is supported with eight Pillars, four of the largest and tallest of which bear up the four Arches which support the Roof. Two of these Arches, viz. the Northern and Southern, bear at the Bottom of their Curvature upon a thin Wall full of Windows, which Wall is strengthen’d by two Ranges of Pillars standing one above another. In the lower Range stand eight Pillars, which rise from the Pavement, the six above them support the thin Wall. The Eastern and Western Arches have neither a Wall nor a Pillar to support them, but are so open, that they make the Body of the Church appear more large. For these Arches projecting beyond the former, bear upon four other Arches, which are supported by two small88 and two large Pillars: For the four large Pillars do not only bear up the four great Arches, but every one of them does also support two small Arches, one of which extends itself length-ways, the other cross-ways of the Church; by which means the Church is lengthen’d and widen’d to a great Distance; for on the East and West Side of it there are two Semi-domes which are join’d to the Cupola in such a Manner, that they have the same Roof within the Church, though without it the Roofs seem to be distinct. These Semi-domes are a great Ornament to the Cupola, which rises very highly above them. The Breadth of the Church is widen’d beyond the Dome with Arches and Pillars, and the Northern and Southern Wall, which form the three upper and three lower Galleries, which are incrusted with elegant Marble of different Kinds, the Roof of them being cover’d with Moresco Mosaick Work, finely gilded. Every Arch which lies across the Church bears only upon one Pillar, for one End of their Curvatures is supported by the outward Wall of the Church, which bears upon large Pillars, from whence there rise four Arches, which on both Sides of the Church are supported by the Wall. Two of these Arches bear up the Roof of the three lower Galleries, and the other two support the Roof of the three upper Galleries, the Sides of which bear upon Walls, and Arches, and Pillars. Hence it is, that if we consider the Inside of the Church by itself, as enclosed by its Pillars and Columns, we discover it to be of an oval Figure; whereas if we view the whole Space of it without these Pillars, it is a perfect Square. For the upper and89 the lower Galleries, which are the Wings of the Church, adjoin to it in such a Manner, that if we measure it from the Pavement to the Bottom of the Curvature of the upper Galleries, ’tis of a square Figure, but as contracted within the Enclosure of the four large and the four smaller Pillars, as far as the Curvature of the four Arches of the Dome, it is entirely of an oval Form. The Form of the Galleries is as follows: On three Sides of them they are built in a square Manner: The fourth Side of them, which looks into the Church, is of an oval Figure, as is the Church itself. The Roofs of these Galleries are supported with Arches and Columns. I shall give the Reader a Description of three of them, by which means he may easily form a Judgment of the rest, for they are all of one Form. Those I shall take Notice of, are the three upper Galleries on the North Side of the Church. The first of these Galleries has two Fronts, and looks both Eastward and Northward. The two Sides of this Gallery rise from the Wall of the Church, and end in an Arch. In the Middle of each Side of it there are three square Columns five Foot and nine Inches in Circumference, which are made the Jambs of the Windows. These Pillars support three other square Pillars, which are all made of blue and white Marble. The Side which faces the Body of the Church is adorn’d with six Pillars of green Marble, standing below the Arch which supports an Eastern Semi-dome, whose Shafts at the Bottom of them are seven Foot and eight Digits in Compass. The Intercolumniations of these Pillars being little less than seven Foot and eleven Digits90 wide, are strengthen’d with Marble Closures which are four Foot high, so that those who lean upon them, have a full View of all the upper and lower Part of the Church. That Side which parts the first and second Gallery, reaching from the outward Wall Northward, to the great Pillar which supports the Dome, is forty four Foot in Length, part of which is adorn’d with Pillars, and an Arch which supports the Dome. You pass through this into the second Gallery, the Breadth of which is twenty four Foot, and it is made up of the Arch of a Pillar, and a Wall which is a part of one of the Wings of the Church, and extends itself as far as the Roof of the Dome. This Gallery, at both Ends of it, is born up by Arches and Walls. In the Middle of it, it is supported by four white Pillars speckled with blue, the Shafts of which are seven Foot in Compass. ’Tis of a square Figure, and, as I observ’d, bears upon Arches and Walls. These Arches, at one End of them, rise behind two of the large Pillars which support the Dome; at the other End they bear upon Pillars which rise within Side of the Walls, and support the four large Pillars. The outer Side of this Gallery is supported with eight square Pillars, which are six Foot in Compass. There rises in the Middle of them a Pillar of a larger Size. These Pillars are instead of Jambs for the Windows; and above them there are other Pillars, which are also Jambs to other Windows. These Windows, which below and above are sixteen in Number, do very much enlighten this second or Middle Gallery. The Front of this Gallery, facing the Church, is beautified with six91 Pillars of green Marble. The Intercolumniations of them, like those of the first Gallery, have their Marble Closures at Bottom. From this middle Gallery you pass through an Arch into the third Gallery, which is much like the first in its Length, Windows, Jambs and Pillars. The Roof of it is supported with four Pillars, and the Side of it towards the Church with six green Pillars. There are also four green Marble Pillars which support one of the Western Semi-domes which stands between two other Pillars. These Pillars stand two and two together, and between them are rais’d two lesser Pillars, made after the Ionic Order. At the Western Door of the Church there are instead of a Vestibulum, two Portico’s, the lower of which lies upon a Level with the Church itself. The upper leads to the Womens Galleries. Both of them in Length the Wideness of the Church, and twenty eight Foot in Breadth. The Portico over it is situate between the Pillars which support the Western Semi-dome and the Windows. For both in the Inside and Outside of it, ’tis supported with eight Pillars, between which, the Windows both in the upper and lower Galleries, cast a great Light into the Church. There is nothing parts this Portico and the Womens Galleries, but the Pillars which bear up the Roof of the Portico; for the Pavement of the Portico lies upon the same Level with the Pavement of the Galleries. The Inside of the lower Portico is enclosed with Walls, which are lined with a delectable Variety of Marble, and is cover’d at Top with curious Moresco Mosaick Work, very beautifully gilded. On the East Side92 the Portico are Doors which open into the Church; on the West End of it you go out at five Brass folding Doors into a Portico that stands without the Church, and from thence you pass into a Court, where there are several Springs constantly running, to which there is a very deep Descent by many Steps. At the Ends of these Portico’s there are two Places of Entrance into the Church, one on the Northern Side of it, and another with six folding Doors on the South. These Doors formerly were all of Brass, at present three only of them are so, but curiously wrought. The Church has also two folding Doors on the East Side of it. There are also some Doors in the Sides of it, which were formerly open’d, but are now kept shut. The Inside of the Church is very light, by reason of the Multitude of Windows about it. The high Wall, which between the great Arches and the Cupola is of a circular Figure, let in the Light at forty Windows. The Walls under the Arches are enlighten’d with twenty six Windows, the Middle of the Galleries with thirty two, and the Ends of them with more than twenty. I shall take no Notice of the Lights of the two Western and the four lower Galleries, nor those of the two Semi-domes, nor those of the Sanctum Sanctorum, and the upper Portico, which I omitted to count, by reason of the great Number of them. The largest Entrance into this Church is on the West Side of it, where you do not ascend the Pavement as formerly, and as the Romans did their Pantheon, nor do you descend into it by five Steps. You go up to the Top of the Church by four Pair of winding Stairs, not winding round93 in the Manner of a Cockle-shell, as Cedrinus reports, but turning more upon the Square, and work’d by the Line. These Stairs rise with a very easy Ascent, and are cut out of large Marble Tables. Every Turning of these Stairs is nineteen Foot and a half high, and five Foot broad. Above these there is another Pair of winding Stairs which reach to the Top of the Church. You must ascend these when you go to the upper Galleries, and Portico’s. If the Reader will give himself the Trouble to compare what I have said of the Church of St. Sophia, with what has been written by Procopius and Agathius upon that Subject, he may easily discover, that the Ruins of what was built by Justinian have not been so great as the Turks pretend, who tell you, that the Church was formerly much larger, and that several Parts of it have been pull’d down by the Barbarians, and that there is scarce a tenth Part of it remaining at this Day. This Story would carry a Face of Probability in it, if they meant, that the Palaces, the Houses of the Priests and the Noblemen, which were built about it, had been demolish’d by Fire, and the Ravage of those People, otherwise I am convinc’d ’tis a gross Mistake; for I saw every Part of the old Church standing, mention’d by Procopius, except one Portico. For whereas Procopius writes, that the Church had two Portico’s at each End of it, there is none, remaining at present, but only that at the West End. ’Tis very probable that the other was thrown down by an Earthquake, and that in the Room of it, the Inhabitants erected a large Lump of Building of square Stone, which is now94 standing, to support the East end of the Church. This Lump of Stone you would take to be a Piece of a craggy Rock, though it does not seem, by reason of the Earthquakes, to be of the same Height as it was when it was first built, yet is it as near as high, as Evagrius mentions it to be. Since which, to fortify the labouring Pillars, it is lengthen’d with four Walls. These Walls are more than twenty Foot long and eight Foot broad, rising to the Height of the great Pillars, and seem, to speak in the Terms of Architecture, to be Wings to the Church, or rather Buttresses, by which the North and South Side of it are strengthen’d and supported. Both Ends of the Church, which project beyond the eight Pillars, extending themselves each into a Semi-dome, and rising at Top into an arched Form, are yet remaining. The same lower Galleries for the Men, and the same upper Galleries for the Women, the whole Roof, the same Walls and Pillars, the same Dimensions of the Church, as originally beautify’d and adorn’d, are still in Being. There are indeed some Flaws in the Building, occasion’d by those who opposed the setting up of Images in the Church. In short, the whole, and every part of it, is to be seen at present; and it is despoiled of nothing, except a little of the Metal-work, which shews itself in great abundance through the whole Church. The Sanctum Sanctorum, formerly holy and unpolluted, into which the Priests only were suffer’d to enter, is yet standing, though there is nothing remaining of the Jewels and precious Stones which adorn’d it, as having been plunder’d by its sacrilegious Enemies. That inimitable Table, given95 to the Church by its Founder Justinian, made of the different Materials of Gold, Silver, all Kinds of Wood, costly Stones, which either the Sea or the whole World could produce, and which was embellish’d and enrich’d with infinite Offerings of Emperors, Popes, Princes, and Ladies of the first Quality; among whom was Pulcheria, the Daughter of Arcadius, and Sister of Theodosius the Less, is at present despoil’d of all its fine Decorations. Sozomen tells us, that this Table was a very beautiful and surprizing Ornament to the Church, which was endow’d with very ample Donations, the Mahometan Priests being now in Possession of them. They have eleven hundred Shops and publick Houses, situate in the best Markets of the City, which pay them a constant Revenue or Rent, without any Deductions, for their Maintenance and Support.

Chap. V.

Of the Statues discover’d on one Side of the Church of St. Sophia.

ON the Side of the Church of St. Sophia, says Suidas, were discovered more than seventy Statues of the Grecian Deities, the Figures of the twelve Signs of the Zodiack, and no less than eighty Statues of Christian Princes and Emperors, which, when Justinian had commanded to be placed in several Parts of the City, he built the great Church. I could give the Reader an Account of the Names of these Deities from an96 unknown Author, who has wrote a Treatise of Constantinople, and the adjacent Countrey; but I have found him faulty in so many of his Narrations, that I cannot depend upon his Authority.

Chap. VI.

Of the Pharo on the Promontory Ceras, and the Mangana.

Ammianus Marcellinus writes, that there was built near the Promontory Ceras, a high Watch-Tower, which was call’d Pharos, and was a Guide to the Ships at a great Distance. The Situation of this Pharos, in all Probability, was near the Church of St. Sophia. For from what Part of the City could it spread a more convenient and diffusive Light to those who sail’d out of the Bosporus and the Propontis? Dionysius calls it the Bosporian Promontory, and tells us, that Io, the Daughter of Inachus, provoked by Juno’s Resentment against her, passed over from thence into Asia. The Place call’d the Mangana was their Armoury, where they kept their Ordnance. It stood in the Imperial Precinct, or by it, near the Chops of the Bosporus. The Emperor Constantine, Surnamed Monomachus, built a handsome and large Monastery, which is also call’d Mangana, in Honour of the noble Martyr St. George. Alexius Comnenus, when he was ill of the Gout, was carry’d to the great Palace, which stands in the Eastern part of the City; but when97 his Physicians judg’d it not to be so wholsome an Air, he was removed into the Palace of the Mangana.

Chap. VII.

Of the Bagnio’s of Zeuxippus and its Statues.

THESE Bagnio’s were so call’d, as Cedrinus relates, because they were built in a Place, where formerly had stood the Temple of Jupiter Zeuxippus. This is said of them by Eusebius, who writes, That there are some of Opinion, that the fine Bathing-place at Constantinople took its Name from the famous Painter Zeuxes, whose Pieces adorn’d it. I collect that it stood near the Church of St. Sophia, not only from the Treatise of the ancient Description of the City, which places them both in the same Ward, but also from the Fire which happen’d in the Reign of Justinian, and burnt down, as Procopius observes, the Church of St. Sophia, and the adjacent Buildings, as the Bagnio of Zeuxippus, and the House of Entrance before the Palace; and Zonaras writes, that Severus the Emperor join’d it to the Hippodrom, and built it on the same Spot of Ground, where formerly had stood the Temple of Jupiter. Leontius, a more ancient and judicious Historian, does not join it to the Hippodrom, but makes it to stand near it, as appears by his Verses inscrib’d over a98 Door of a House, situate between the Zeuxippum and the Hippodrom.

An Inscription of Leontius upon a House call’d the Zeuxippum and the Hippodrom.

Cedrinus relates, that in this Bagnio there was a pleasant Variety of Prospects of surprizing Art, both in Marble and Stone-work, in Statues of Brass, and Figures of Persons of Antiquity, who seem’d to want nothing but a Soul to animate and enliven them. Among these celebrated Pieces of the most exquisite Workmanship, was the Statue of old Homer, in a thoughtful Posture, just as he was, his Hands folded in his Breast, his Beard carelessly hanging down, his Hair very thin before, his Face wrinkled with Age, and the Cares of the World; his Nose well proportion’d, his Eyes fix’d in their Sockets, as is usual with blind Persons, which he was generally look’d upon to be. Over his close Coat hung a loose Garment, and under his Feet, upon the Pedestal of the Pillar, was a Bridle in Brass. This Place was also beautify’d with the brazen Statues of all those renown’d Personages who had been famous for Wisdom, Poetry, Oratory or Courage, throughout99 the World, but were all destroy’d by Fire. Among these were the Statues of Deiphobus, Æschines, Demosthenes, Aristotle, Euripides, Hesiod, Theocritus, Simonides, Anaximenes, Calchas, Pyrrhus, Amymone; of Sappho, Apollo, Venus, Chrysa, Julius Cæsar, Plato, Hermaphroditus, Herinna, Terpander, Pericles, Pythagoras, Stesichorus, Democritus; of Hercules, Aurora, Æneas, Creusa, Helenus, Andromachus, Menelaus, Helena, Ulysses, Hecuba, Cassandra, Polyxena, Ajax, Paris, and his Oenone; of Milo, Dares and Entellus, Charidemus, Melampus, Panthous, Demogeron, Isocrates, Amphiaraus, Sarpedon, Achilles, Mercury, Apuleius, Diana, Pherecydes, Heraclitus, Cratinus, Menander, Amphitryon, Thucydides, Herodotus, Pindar, Xenophon, Alcmæon, Pompey and Virgil. There were also many other Statues which have been describ’d in Verse by Christodorus a Poet of Thebes, or, as others report, a Native of Coptos in Ægypt, which, were it not a Work of Prolixity, I would explain to the Reader. There stood near the Bagnio call’d Zeuxippum, a small Bath, taken Notice of by Leontius in the following Lines:

There is nothing of the Zeuxippum remaining at present, nor of many other fine Bagnio’s, although we have many Inscriptions relating to them; as of that famous one celebrated by Agathius, in which Venus is said to have bathed her self; also of another100 call’d Didymum, in which both Sexes used to wash, describ’d in Verse by Paulus Silentiarius, and a third made memorable by an Inscription of the learned Leontius. Besides these, there was another named Cupido, describ’d by the ingenious Marianus; yet are all of them either entirely ruin’d, or so defaced by the Mahometans, that you cannot discover who built them, or to whom they belong’d.

Chap. VIII.

Of the Hospitals of Sampson and Eubulus.

THERE was built, as Procopius says, a Hospital for the Relief of poor and sick People. It was founded in ancient Times by a holy Man, whose Name was Sampson. But it did not escape the Flames, occasion’d by a riotous Mob, which burnt down that and the Church of St. Sophia. It was rebuilt by Julian, who beautify’d and enlarged it with a Multitude of small handsome Apartments, and afterwards endow’d it with a yearly Stipend, for the Support and Comfort of the miserable and distressed. But the good Emperor not being content with this Oblation he had made to God, with the Co-assistance of his Imperial Consort Theodora, built over-against it two other Hospitals on the same Ground, where formerly stood the Houses of Isidorus and Arcadius. Thus far Procopius. From whence I would observe, that the Hospital of Sampson was not far from the Church of St. Sophia, and have101 read in the History of an unknown Author, that it stood over-against it. I am confirm’d in this Opinion by the Authority of Zonaras, who tells us in the like Manner, that there was a Fire occasion’d by a Faction, which burnt down the great Church, that of St. Irene, the Hospital of Eubulus, the Chalca, the Bagnio of Severus, call’d the Zeuxippum, and many other Buildings. This is farther attested by Cedrinus, who speaking of the same Fire, tells us, That a great Part of the City, the Churches of St. Sophia and St. Irene, the Hospitals of Sampson and Eubulus, with the sick People inhabiting them, as also the Augustean Gate-house of the Basilica, the Chalca, the two Portico’s, as far as the Forum, the Octogon and the Bagnio of Zeuxippus, were destroy’d by Fire. After I had made the former Quotation from the printed Works of Procopius, I lighted by chance upon a Manuscript of him, wherein I was inform’d, that the Hospital of Sampson stood between the two Churches of St. Sophia and St. Irene.

Chap. IX.

Of the Statue of Eudoxia Augusta, for which St. Chrysostom was sent into Banishment.

Socrates and Sozomen, Writers of sacred History, tells us, that a Silver Statue of Eudoxia Augusta was erected upon a Porphyry Pillar102 on the South Side of the Church of St. Sophia, though at some Distance from it, near the Senate-House. The People commonly paid their Homage and Acclamations to this Statue. There were publick Entertainments of Dancing, and other mimical Gestures acted before it, according to a Custom which had long prevail’d, of paying Adoration to the Images of Princes. St. Chrysostom reflecting upon this Practice, as contrary to the Precepts of the Christian Religion, publickly condemn’d it in a Sermon. Eudoxia believing her self to be closely struck at in that Discourse, banish’d him. I should here take Notice of the Miliarium and the Basilica, as being near the Church of St. Sophia, but then I shall invert the Method I proposed to observe.

Chap. X.

Of those Parts of the City which are contain’d in the third Ward.

THE third Ward is discover’d to have been that Space of Ground upon which stood the Hippodrom, the House of Abraham Bassa, the Gate of Leo, and the Haven which the Inhabitants call the Caterga Limena, where the Three-oar’d Galleys used to anchor, and so on to the Top of the second Hill, as far as the Forum of Constantine. I made this Observation, not only from the Order the Wards stand in, but also from the Treatise of the Description of the Wards, which103 says, that the third Ward, at the Entrance of it, is a Level Ground, but in the most remote Part of it, it descends with too great a Declivity into the Sea, and contains the Tribunal of the Forum of Constantine, the Circus Maximus, the House of Pulcheria Augusta, the new Port, and the semicircular Portico, made after the Figure of an old Greek Sigma.

Chap. XI.

Of the Hippodrom, its Obelisk, its Statues, and Columns.

Modern Historians, as Zonaras and others, write, that the Hippodrom was built by Severus upon his Reconciliation with the Byzantians. Zosimus, a more ancient Writer tells us, that it was built, and curiously beautified by Constantine the Great, part of which he made the Temple of Castor and Pollux, whose Images remain’d in the Portico’s of the Hippodrom down to his Time; that is, ’till the Reign of Theodosius the Less. In the middle of the Circo, which the Greeks call the Hippodrom, there stood an Obelisk made of Thebaick Stone; but as the ancient Description of the Wards takes no Notice of it, tho’ it does of the Square Thebaick Obelisk in the fifth Ward, I should be inclin’d to believe, that the Obelisk, I am speaking of, was overturn’d by an Earth-quake, and remov’d by Theodosius into the Hippodrom, after that Treatise was wrote, if the Author had not taken notice of many of Theodosius’s104 Works, and omitted some Things in the Wards, which he afterwards mention’d in his General View of the City. ’Tis very probable, that Constantinople had more Obelisks than one. As to that taken notice of in the fifth Ward, it is not now remaining. When first I arriv’d at Constantinople I saw two of them, one in the Circus Maximus, another in the Imperial Precinct, standing on the North-side of the first Hill. This last was of a square Figure, and was erected near the Houses of the Grand Seignor’s Glaziers. A little time after I saw it lying prostrate without the Precinct, and found it to be thirty five Foot in Length. Each of its Sides, if I mistake not, was six Foot broad, and the whole was eight Yards in Compass. It was purchased by Antonius Priolus, a Nobleman of Venice, who sent it thither, and placed it in St. Stephen’s Market. The other is standing in the Hippodrom to this Day. ’Tis supported by four square broad Pieces of Brass, each a Foot and a half high, with a Base and a Pedestal of the same Height. From the Ground there rise two Steps against the Pedestal, the lowermost of which is a Foot high, and of the same Breadth: The upper Step is two Foot high, and projects four Foot and four Fingers Breadth beyond the Pedestal. The Steps are not laid within the Pedestal, but are join’d to it withoutside, as appears by the Cement. Upon the Steps stands the Pedestal, which is every way twelve Foot broad, four Foot eight Digits in Height and projects beyond the Base a Foot and a half: Somewhat above a Foot higher it is more contracted, and does not project beyond its Base; for from the Top of the Pedestal there’s a Fluting105 on the four Sides of the Obelisk which is cut out of the same Stone of which the Pedestal is made, and is a Foot and thirteen Digits high. The Corners of the Top of the Pedestal are worn, and defac’d, but are repair’d by four Stones of Thebaick Porphyry Marble, each of them a Foot and a half high; for all the fluted Part of the Pedestal that lies between these four angular Stones, together with the upper Part of it, support the Base, which is seven Foot and thirteen Digits high, and projects a Foot and a half beyond the Bottom of the Shaft of the Obelisk, to the Breadth of nine Foot, and as many Digits: ’Tis carv’d on all Sides, as is also the Pedestal, which is covered with curious Statues cut in Basso Relievo. The Sculptures on the North-side of it, stand in two Ranges, the lowermost of which contains eighteen Statues, and two Cap-stands, which are turn’d round with Iron Crows by four Men, and wind the Ropes, which are drawn through Pullies, round the Cap-stand, and so draw the Obelisk along the Ground. In the same Range is engraved the Obelisk in an upright Posture, as it now stands, with three Statues, one of which, as the Inhabitants tell you, represents the Master, and the other the Servant, whom he design’d to correct, if a third Person had not interposed, because he had erected the Obelisk in his Absence. In the upper Range there are also the Figures of two Cap-stands, with the same Number of Men working them, and labouring with those below them, to drag the Obelisk. The Wreaths of the Ropes in particular, are very nicely cut. If the Reader could apprehend the manner in which this cumbersome Pillar was erected,106 I believe he would judge it was done the way, as Marcellinus describes. There was nothing wanting, says he, but the Erection of the Obelisk, the Accomplishment of which, without the greatest Danger, could scarcely be conceiv’d. You might see, says he, a vast Wood of Scaffolding made of tall Beams: At the Top of these were fix’d large, and long Ropes, after the manner of Threads in a Weaver’s Loom; which by their Thickness and Closeness to one another, darkned the Air. These Ropes at the Bottom were fastned round the Obelisk, which being leisurely drawn into the Air, many thousands working at the Cap-stands, was at last fix’d upon its Basis. I believe there are at present Engineers at Constantinople, who could do the same thing. I am induc’d to think so, by what I observ’d of a Pillar on the Side of the fifth Hill, which was almost equal in Magnitude to this Obelisk. I saw this Pillar taken off its Basis, and laid upon the Ground in the following manner. Round the Pillar, though at some Distance from it, they fix’d in the Ground near to one another large Poles, much taller than the Pillar, at an equal Distance from each other. At the Top of these Poles, they laid others across them, which were fasten’d to them in the strongest manner, and to which were fix’d the Pullies, through which the Ropes slipp’d, which reach’d from the Bottom of the Shaft of the Pillar to the Top, and were fasten’d to it: The Ropes were so thick, both length-ways and cross-ways, that at some Distance the Scaffolding look’d like a square Tower. There were many Cap-stands on all Sides fix’d in the Ground, which were turn’d by infinite107 Numbers of the strongest Youth, till they had mov’d it from its Basis, and laid it prostrate with the Earth. They afterwards laid it upon strong Carriages, the Wheels of which were bound with thick Iron, and brought it safe to the third Hill, and set it up as an Ornament to the Mosque of Solyman the Emperor. But to return to the Obelisk; on the West-side of the Pedestal was the following Inscription in Greek:

And on the other Side was this Inscription in Latin, which was somewhat defac’d, but I could read it, and is as follows:

On the South Side of it there are two Ranges of Statues, the lowermost of which has engrav’d upon it four Chariots, two of which are drawn by a Pair, and the other by four Horses, with a Driver to each of them. In the upper Range are two Equestrian Statues, three Footmen, three Togati, two Obelisks, and four square Pillars. On the North Side of the Basis are engrav’d four Ranges of Figures, which contain thirty five Statues in Gowns. On the West Side there are108 two Ranges, the lowest of which has nine Statues in a suppliant Posture, making Presents to the Emperor, who stands in the upper Range, with sixteen Statues about him. The South Side has two Ranges; upon the lowest are cut ten Statues in Gowns, in a petitioning manner; the upper contains twenty Statues, all in Gowns, except four in a fighting Posture, arm’d with Bucklers. The East Side, on the lowest part of it, has three Ranges; the lowest Range contains sixteen Statues of Men and Women, dancing and playing upon Instruments of Musick; above which are two Ranges more, in which appear little more than the Heads, which I look upon to be the Spectators. The highest Range has twenty Statues, six of which are divided from the rest by Pillars. The middle Figure holds a Crown in his Hand. Upon the Basis are four square Pieces of Brass carv’d, which being plac’d in a quadrilateral Figure, the whole Obelisk bears upon them. ’Tis engrav’d from Top to Bottom with Ægyptian Characters.

Chap. XII.

Of the Colossus.

THERE is yet standing, in the Middle of the Hippodrom, a Colossus made of square Stones, which was formerly (as an injudicious Author writes) incrusted with Marble; but, as appears by an Inscription carv’d upon its Basis,109 ’twas cover’d with Plates of Brass, cramp’d together with Iron, as appears not only by the Holes made in the Shaft, but by those which still remain in the Base; where the Iron Pins were fasten’d, and strengthen’d with melted Lead. ’Tis now despoil’d of its outward beauteous Appearance; and discovers only the Workmanship of its Inside, as having felt the Effects of the Avarice and Rapine of the Barbarians. This was also the Fate of the Colossus at Rhodes, which was demolish’d by the Hagarens in the Reign of Constans, Nephew of Heraclius, thirteen hundred Years after it was erected. ’Twas purchas’d afterwards by one Emesenus a Jew, and the Brass, when strip’d off, was of so considerable a Weight, that it was carried off by Nine hundred Camels. Upon the Base of the Colossus at Constantinople, are inscrib’d the following Verses;

This Colossus at the Base of it, has three Steps. The lowest is two Foot high, the next a Foot and two Digits, and the uppermost of the same Height. The Basis is a square Marble, seven Foot and three Digits high, each Side of which is ten Foot and nine Inches broad. This Colossus is taller than the Obelisk. One Day, being the Festival of the Circumcision of the Prince of Boldania, I saw an ingenious Fellow of a Mountebank climb to the Top of it, and come down safe. The same Attempt was immediately made110 by another, who made a Shift to reach the Top of it, but the Height so dazzled and confounded him, that, despairing of getting down without Hurt, he threw himself, with all his Might, as far as he could from the Colossus, to avoid the Danger of being dash’d to pieces upon the Foundation; so that falling down right upon his Feet, he stuck deep in the Earth, and dy’d upon the Spot.

Chap. XIII.

Of some other Columns in the Hippodrom.

ABOUT the Middle of the Hippodrom, among a strait Range of small Obelisks, there stand seven Pillars. One of which, made of Arabian Marble, is seventeen Foot and eight Digits in Circumference. There was erected upon the Top of it, by one Abraham a Basha, the Statue of Hercules. It was cast in Brass, and made of the Spoils which he had taken in Hungary; but upon the Death of Abraham, Hercules, who was reported to have travell’d so many Countries, and tam’d so many Monsters, was at last forced to submit, and be torn to pieces by the Turks, the most inveterate Enemies to Statuary, and the whole Vitruvian Art; so that they treated him in as barbarous a manner as he was by Diagoras, who going into an Inn, and wanting Wood to boil his Lentils, finding a wooden Statue of Hercules, well-finish’d, cut it to pieces,111 and threw it into the Fire, saying these Words; O Hercules, who hast pass’d with so much Courage through thy twelve Labours, try how thou canst struggle with the thirteenth.

In the same Range of Obelisks there stands another Pillar. ’Tis made of Brass, but not fluted, but wreath’d round with the Foldings of three Serpents, like those we see in great Ropes. The Heads of these Serpents are placed in a triangular Form, and rise very high upon the Shaft of the Pillar. There are many fabulous and trifling Reports among the Inhabitants, concerning the Erection of this Pillar, which is occasion’d by their Ignorance of the History of their Ancestors. Zosimus, among other Historians, writes, that Constantine the Great plac’d in the Hippodrom the Tripos of Apollo, which was brought from Delphos, and which had on it the Image of that God. Sozomen tells us, that Constantine did not only place the Delphick Tripos in the Hippodrom, but also that celebrated Tripos, which Pausanias the Lacedæmonian General, and the Cities of Greece, upon the Conclusion of the War with the Medes, consecrated to Apollo. Eusebius is more clear upon this Occasion, and says, that Constantine, in some part of Constantinople, see up the Image of Sminthius Apollo, which was a Title given to him; but that in the Hippodrom he placed the Pythian Tripos, round which was wreathed the Figure of the Serpent Python; so that it seems to me very probable, that this was the same Tripos which was plac’d upon the brazen Pillar I am speaking of at Constantinople. Herodotus writes, that the112 golden Tripos which was at Delphos, was made out of a tenth Part of the Spoils taken from the Persians, and erected upon this Pillar; and adds farther, that when the Persians were routed at the Battle of Platææ, there was found a golden Tripos, which was restor’d to Apollo, and set upon a brazen Pillar, encircled with three Serpents entwin’d, near an Altar. ’Tis a Mistake in those who imagine, that this Pillar was formerly overlaid with Gold, but was plunder’d of it by the Turks; since Pausanias makes it appear, that it was stripp’d of its Gold long before the Turks took Constantinople. After the Battle of Platææ, says he, the Greeks made a common Offering to Apollo, which was a golden Tripos, supported by a brazen Serpent. The Brass, he tells us, remain’d whole in his Time, but the Gold was carry’d off by the Phocean Generals. There are five other Pillars in the same Range. In the Front of the Hippodrom, facing the Propontis, there was a Range of seventeen Pillars of white Marble standing, when first I came to Constantinople. They stood on the South-west Side of the Hippodrom. The Pedestal of each of them is two Foot and ten Digits high, and are all of them supported by arch’d Foundations, which lye Level with the Plain of the Hippodrom, but rise above Ground to the Height of fifty Foot. They are all placed upon a little Wall, which projects two Steps, or square Plinths, the lowermost of which is a Foot and a Digit high; the upper is a Foot and six Digits high, and projects beyond the Pedestal eight Digits. The Pedestals of them are every way five Feet, and113 seven Inches broad. The lowest Projectures of them, which are placed there for Tores and other Modules, are six Digits and a half high, the upper Projectures of the same Height; the Plinth of the Cornice is eleven Digits in Thickness; the lower Tore seven Digits and a half; the Scotia four Digits; the upper Tore six Digits; the Stone which supports the Shaft is five Digits high, and the Shafts themselves three Foot five Digits in Diameter, and twenty eight Foot in Height. These Pillars were lately taken down, and the Bases of them removed by Order of Solyman the Emperor, to build an Hospital. I was concern’d to see them thus demolish’d, not so much for the Use they were intended, but that some of them were squared out for paving a Bagnio, and that the Capitals, made after the most exact Plans of ancient Architecture, were cut into Rude and ill-shapen Models for covering a Bake-house, and that the Pedestals, and all the Entablature were hewn out, it may be only to build a Wall. The Shafts of the Pillars stood at eleven Foot Distance. I observ’d the Capitals were impair’d by reason of the great Space of Intercolumniation. The Capitals were finish’d after the Corinthian Order, and the Trabeation was beautifully wrought, but was not adorn’d with an Ovolo. There were Iron Rings fix’d to the Architraves, upon which were hung Curtains. Beyond this was another Range of Pillars, which were remaining some time after the Taking of the City by the Turks. Before it was taken by the Gauls and the Venetians, there were in the Hippodrom abundance of Figures of Horses, both in Stone and Brass. There were114 four in particular of surprizing Skill, which were gilded, equal in Beauty and Workmanship to those which now stand before the Church of St. Marcian at Venice, which, some say, were brought thither from Constantinople. I shall omit the Statues of great Numbers of Emperors and Princes, which were set up in the Circo. Among these stood the Statue of the Emperor Justinian, which has been celebrated in Verse. There were also the Statutes of some Eunuchs, who were most in the Interest and Favour with their Masters. Among others, there was the Statue of Plato the Eunuch, the Emperor’s Chamberlain, who was burnt to Death in the Reign of Basiliscus. There was an Inscription, according to Suidas, fix’d upon the Breast of this Statue, which ran thus; Whosoever shall remove this Statue into another Place, let him be hang’d. Yet was it taken out of the Church of Procopius, and carry’d into the Hippodrom. I have not time to take Notice of the numberless Statues of all the Combatants, Wrestlers, Charioteers, formerly placed in the Hippodrom; of which, though there is nothing remaining at present, yet the Memory of them is still preserved in a small Poem of three hundred Verses, in which some Chariot-Racers are mention’d with particular Honours, though no Notice be there taken of a Person named Thomas, a Man of surprizing Agility and Speed, in that kind of Exercise. I have seen the Fragment of a Stone at Constantinople with this Inscription, Θομᾶ Ἡνιόχου. This probably is the same Person mention’d by the Emperor Theodoric, in a Letter to Faustus a Roman Prætor, in the following Words: Of our115 Imperial Bounty and Consideration we have given and granted to Thomas, the famous Chariot-Racer, a present Stipend to be continued to him, till we have farther experienced, and been fully satisfied of his wonderful Skill in that Exercise; but having now received ample Testimony of his Superiority in that Performance, and that having left his Countrey, he hath chosen voluntarily to settle himself within our Dominions, we, out of our Imperial Munificence, have encouraged him by a monthly Salary to continue among us. He has, by his frequent Successes, received the repeated Applauses, and stood high in the Favour of the People, whom he has sometimes, though unfortunately, vindicated, and at other times has eminently distinguish’d himself in the Race of the Chariot. Victory so often attended him, that he was look’d upon as a Sorcerer by a Set of People, who would have accounted it the highest Commendation to have been thought so themselves, for the same Reasons. And ’tis no Wonder that Men should ascribe those Excellencies to the Power of Sorcery and Enchantment, which they cannot arrive to themselves, the Sight of a Chariot-Race, in ancient Times, was had in the highest Honour and Esteem, though at present ’tis little better than the Occasion of Buffoonry, an Incentive to trifling Disputes, an Encouragement to Roguery and Sharping, and the constant Source of Broils and Quarrels. Thus far the Emperor: From whose Words I would observe, that the Chariot-Racer here mention’d, who had left Constantinople, probably upon some Party Quarrels among the Chariot-Racers (who were therefore call’d Factions) was also in Danger at Rome, upon116 the like Account. The Commonwealth both of Rome and Constantinople have not only been often harrass’d with such Commotions, but the Emperors themselves have often fallen into the greatest Danger of losing their Government by them. But all the Diversions of the Circo are now ceased. I was concern’d to see it despoil’d of all its Ornaments, though the Turks of late have begun to build there again. I was the more concern’d, because, by looking casually upon a Medal I had then in my Hand, it put me in mind of Belisarius triumphing in the Hippodrom, after his Victory over the King of the Vandals, as also of the Disgrace and Poverty, notwithstanding his Bravery and Courage, he afterwards fell into by the Jealousy of the Emperor. On one Side of it was stamp’d the triumphant Reception of Belisarius, and on the other this Image, with this Inscription, Gloria Romanorum Belisarius. Procopius writes, That there was a Gate in the Hippodrom call’d the Cochlia, because it had winding Stairs within it. There was also a Passage, through which they went to their Burial-Ground. The same Writer tells us, that in the same Place there was a Portico call’d Venetia, from the Companies or Factions of Chariot-Racers who used to assemble there, and who distinguish’d themselves from other Factions or Companies, by a Sky-colour’d Garment, which was called so from the Venetians, a People that particularly affected that Colour. ’Tis very probable, that the Prasin Faction had also a Portico here. These were another Company of Charioteers, and distinguish’d themselves by a green Livery. The Word Prasina being117 derived from πράσον in the Greek, which signifies a Leek. Nor is it unlikely, that there were other Companies with Liveries of other Colours, who were not promiscuously crowded together, but seated in their own Apartments in the Portico’s, to see the Races.

Chap. XIV.

Of the Church of Bacchus, the Court of Hormisda, and the House of Justinian.

IT is observable from the Situation of the Church of Bacchus and Sergius, now standing on the Plain between the Propontis and the Hippodrom, that the Imperial Palace, and the House Justinian lived in, before he was Emperor, stood near it. Procopius writes, that Justinian built a Church, and dedicated it to St. Peter and St. Paul. It stood near the Imperial Court, where formerly had stood a Palace built by Hormisda. This, Justinian made a Mansion-house for himself, that the Beauty and Elegancy of its Building might be an Ornament to the Palace.

After he had arrived to the Imperial Dignity, he built other fine Palaces about it, and near it built another Church in honour of two illustrious Saints, Sergius and Bacchus. These Churches which are both of them equally beautiful, stood on the same Compass of Ground, nor is there any material Difference between them. They shine alike with the most glossy Marble; both are118 curiously gilded, and adorn’d with the richest Offerings, nor is there any thing wherein they do not resemble each other, but that one is built lengthways, and the other in a semicircular manner. They are both wonderful in their kind, and are a great Ornament not only to the Palace, but to the whole City: Procopius adds a little farther, that Justinian chang’d the House, which was call’d the House of Hormisda, into a more magnificent Figure, and join’d it to the Palace. I am of Opinion, that this Hormisda, whom he dignifies with the Title of Prince, was the Son of a King of Persia, who, as Marcellinus reports, when Constans the Son of Constantine came to Rome, and glorying how far he would transcend Hormisda in his immoderate Schemes of Building, being unable to accomplish his Designs, he was content, he said, in an humble manner, only to have such another Horse made as stood in the Forum of Trajan. The Story coming afterwards to Hormisda’s Ear, he reply’d in a jocular manner, Let him try first, if he can build a Stable for him. Cedrinus explains more at large how near the House of Justinian was to the Church of Bacchus: Justinian, says he, built the Church of Sergius and Bacchus, which on the Sea-side of it, is near the Palace, and built also another Church by it, on the same piece of Ground, on which had stood his own House: In building these two Churches, and in founding a Monastery, which he fill’d with Men of sound Learning, and exemplary Conversation, he laid out his whole Estate, and all he was worth, till he arrived to the Imperial Dignity. There is nothing remaining at present of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul,119 but the Church of Sergius and Bacchus are yet standing. It goes still under its ancient Name, though the Turks have changed it into a Mosque. ’Tis covered at top with a Brick Roof, and bears upon eight Pilasters; between the Pilasters there are two Ranges of Pillars of the Ionick Order. In the lowest Range, there are sixteen Pillars which bear upon the Pavement: Six of these Pillars are of Green Marble, and ten of white streak’d with Red Veins. The upper Range consists of eighteen Pillars, eight of which are Green, ten White Marble, and are vein’d as the other. The Capitals of the lower are adorn’d with Ovolo’s at the Bottom of them. The upper part of them is cover’d with a Foliage. The Volutæ of the upper Range of Pillars project from the four Angles of the Capitals, but the Ovolo’s project from the Sides of them, which are also cover’d with a Foliage of fine Workmanship. The Architraves over the Capitals of the lower Range are finished with the nicest Art. There is a noble Piece of Sculpture in this Church. ’Twas done by Zoophorus, who has carved round the Church some Greek Verses, in the largest Characters. The Tops of the Pilasters are shaded with a Vineal Foliage, intermixed with cluster’d Grapes, which denote, that the Church was dedicated to Bacchus.

120

Chap. XV.

Of the Port of Julian, and Sophia; of the Portico nam’d Sigma, and the Palace of Sophia.

NEAR the Church of Bacchus, stood the Port of Julian. This is plain from the Account we have of the Fire, which happen’d in the Reign of Leo the Great, and as Evagrius tells us, began on the North-side of the City, and destroy’d all before it, from the Bosporian Port, to the old Temple of Apollo; and that on the South-side of the City, it made the same Havock from the Port of Julian, to the Houses near the Temple of Concord. Zonaras writes, who has described the Devastations of that Fire, that it burnt with great Fury from the Bosporium to the Church of St. John the Calybite, and on the South from the Church of St. Thomas to the Church of the renowned Martyrs, Sergius and Bacchus. The Church of St. Thomas stood near the Temple of Concord. The Account which Cedrinus gives of this Fire is, that it took its Course round the City quite from the Northern to the Southern Shore, as far as the Church of Sergius and Bacchus. The Emperor Anastasius fortified the Port of Julian, and secured it by a strong Wall. It was afterwards called the Port of Sophia, according to Cedrinus, who writes, That Justin the Nephew of Justinian, built a Palace in the121 Port of Julian, which he ordered to be cleansed, and that he commanded his own, and the Statue of Sophia his Consort to be erected there, and from thence gave it the Name of the Port of Sophia. The Inscription on the Statue of Justin placed here is as follows:

Procopius writes, that the Church of the Martyr Thecla stood near this Port. Some modern Historians tell us, that Belisarius set Sail from this Port, when he went to Battel against the Vandals. But I cannot conceive what Reason they have for that Opinion, unless it be from some Words of Procopius, who says, that Justinian commanded the Ship, in which the General sail’d, to be brought near the Palace, and that there Epiphanius Bishop of Constantinople, as was customary upon such Occasions, put up a Prayer for his Success, and that then Belisarius went off with his Wife Antonina. There were indeed some Palaces near this Port, but there were also other Palaces near the Bay, which was full of Havens, from whence, at a little Distance, stood the House of Belisarius. Suidas confirms it, that Anastasius fortify’d this Harbour, and made a Pier there; and Zonaras attests, that Justin built there some Palaces, and call’d them the Palaces of Sophia, from the Name of his Consort, whom he passionately loved. Many Historians are of Opinion,122 that these Palaces stood near the Port of Sophia; but I am induced to think, both from Reason and the Authority of learned Men, that it was not so. For Zonaras, among others, writes, that Justin built these Palaces against the City, and Agathius, a much ancienter Writer, and who was living at the Time they were built, wrote the following Inscription, which was fix’d upon them. From whence the Reader may observe, that they were not seated near the Propontis, adjoining to which was the Port of Sophia, but opposite to the City, near the Shore of the Bosporus, where the Continent is divided into two Parts.

Agathius Scholasticus upon the Palaces of
Sophia.

The Word which in the Original Inscription is wrote δέρκεαι, Zonaras writes δέρκεται. ’Tis easy to discover from these Verses, that the Palace of Sophia was not seated near the Bosporus, but without the Walls of the City, waich is attested by Cedrinus, and many other Historians, in their Descriptions of the hard Frost, which happen’d in the Reign of Leo Copronymus, by which the Bosporus was frozen so hard, that whosoever had a mind to pass over from the Palace of Sophia to the City, or from Chrysopolis to the Church of St. Mamas,123 or repass to Galata on the Shore of the Bosporus, might cross over the Ice without the least Danger. The Port of Sophia, before it was call’d the Port of Julian, seems to me to be the same, which was formerly called the Neorium, and which the ancient Description of the Wards places in the same Ward with the Hippodrom; but whether it be one, or either of these, it is now fill’d up; or if it was that Port which stands West of the Church of Bacchus, ’tis now almost demolish’d, and enclosed with a Wall. There is only a small Part of it remaining, which is a standing Water, where the Women wash their Linnen. The People tell you, that they have seen some Three-Oar’d Gallies which have been sunk there. ’Tis call’d at present by the Inhabitants Caterga limena, or the Port of the Three-Oar’d Gallies; whether it be the same Port, which is standing on the East of the Church of Bacchus, near the Gate of the City call’d Porta Leonis, which Name it took either from a Lion near it, which was carved in Stone, or from the Emperor Leo, who, they tell you, had a Palace there, I shall not determine. Nicephorus, an Historian of modern Date, tells us, that an Emperor of Constantinople, when besieged by the People of Italy, summoned a Multitude of Smiths into the Morion, which ran round the Hippodrom. I could never discover at Constantinople the Place which was called the Pyctacia; yet I cannot but take Notice from Cedrinus, and other modern Historians, that in the Place which they called the Pyctacia, there was a Pillar which supported the Statue of Leo the Emperor, the Consort of Verina. This Statue, as some write, was erected by his Sister Euphemia,124 a Lady of great Wisdom and Continency, near her own House, where Leo every Week, used to pay her a Visit. All Persons who laboured under Afflictions of any Kind, laid their Petitions to the Emperor, upon the Steps of this Pillar. The Apparitors took them up, and when the Emperor waited upon his Sister, they presented them to him. Budæus says, that the Pyctacia, or as he calls them, the Pystacia, were Briefs; though I see no Reason why they may not also be called Petitions. For as Pyctium signifies a Book, I do not see why Pyctacium may not signify any smaller Writing. The Greeks at present generally call their Letters Pyctacia. In an History written by an unknown Author, I have read, that Eudoxia had set up her own Statue, made of massy Silver, in a Place called the Pyctacium. If the Author be not mistaken, I should take this to be the same Statue which stood near the Church of St. Sophia, by which, as I have shewn before, stood the Statue of Eudoxia. I have seen a small Treatise of Constantinople, which says, that Constantine the Great built a Church to St. Euphemia, near the Hippodrom, which was afterwards turned into an Armory by Constantine, surnamed Copronymus, a professed Adversary to Images in Churches, and who cast the Reliques of St. Euphemia into the Sea. Suidas writes, that the Statue of Euphemia (the Consort of the Emperor Justin, who was a Thracian) was placed in the Church of St. Euphemia, which she her self had built. Some modern Writers say, that in the Time of Basilius the Emperor, there was a great Earthquake which overturned the Church of St. Polyclete,125 and killed all that were in it; and that from that Time it was called Sigma. I am more inclined to believe, that it took its Name from a Portico so called, many Ages before this Earthquake, because it was built after the Similitude of the Letter Sigma, and is placed in the antient Description of Constantinople, in the same Ward with the Hippodrom. Cedrinus seems to take Notice of this Place. They dragged, says he, Michael the Emperor in his Monks Habit, by the Heels, out of the Monastery of Studius, through the Market, and leading him beyond the Monastery called Periblepton, in a Place called Sigma, they put out both his Eyes. The same Author tells us, that Basilius the Emperor, a Native of Macedon, rebuilt from the Foundations, a Church to the Honour of the Blessed Virgin, which was called Sigma. Chrysaphius Zomas, an Eunuch, set up the Statue of Theodosius the Less, in a Place called Sigma. Some Writers affirm, that Constantine the Great built a Church to St. Stephen, in a Place called Sigma. The Sigma therefore here intended, must needs be another Place in the City, distinct from that which I observed was in the third Ward, and ought to be written with the Letter e, as Segma; by Reason, as I hinted just now, that the Fall of the Church of St. Polyclete by an Earthquake, crushed to Death all that were in it.

126

Chap. XVI.

Of the Fourth Ward.

IF the Miliarium Aureum had been now in Being, or the People of Constantinople had preserved the Memory of its Situation, we might easily discover, from the antient Description of the Wards, (which tells us, that the fourth Ward extended it self, the Hills rising on the Right and Left, from the Miliarium Aureum to a plain level Ground) that it was in the first Valley, or on the Ridge of the Hill that arises just above it. Nor could we have failed to make the like Discovery from the Remains of the Augustæum, the Basilica, the Nymphæum, and other fine Buildings, had they not been entirely buried in their own Ruins. But since no Observations at present can be made that Way, I was in Suspense, whether or no the Valley, where the fourth Ward stood, was not the same Valley which I had described at the first; because it is common to other Vales, to have Hills rising on the right and left. And when I had sufficiently instructed my self from the Writings and Histories of learned Men, what Monuments of Antiquity had formerly been in the fourth Ward, and where they had stood, I was soon sensible that the fourth Ward stood in the first Valley, and on the Sides of it, and on the Hill near to the Church of St. Sophia, as the127 Reader will perceive from the following History.

Chap. XVII.

Of the Forum called the Augustæum, of the Pillar of Theodosius, and Justinian, and the Senate-House.

Procopius writes, that the Forum which was formerly called the Augustæum, was surrounded with Pillars, and was situate before the Imperial Palace. Not only the Forum is at present quite defaced, but the very Name of it is lost, and the whole Ground where it stood is built upon. The Palace is entirely in Ruines, yet I collect from the Pedestal of a Pillar of Justinian lately standing, but now removed by the Turks, which Procopius says was built by Justinian in the Augustæum, and Zonaras in the Court before the Church of Sophia, that the Augustæum stood where there is now a Fountain, at the West End of the Church of St. Sophia. Suidas says, that Justinian, after he had built the Church of St. Sophia, cleansed the Court, and paved it with Marble, and that it was formerly called the Forum Augustæum; and adds, that he erected his own Statue there. Procopius writes, That there was a certain Forum facing the Senate House, which was called by the Citizens the Augustæum; where are seven Stones, so cemented together in a128 quadrangular Manner, and are so contracted one within another the upper within the lower Stone, that a Man may conveniently sit down upon every Projecture of them. I was more induced to give this Account from Procopius, of the Pedestal, because I do not find it in his printed Works. Upon the Top of it, says he, there’s erected a large Pillar, composed of many Stones covered with Brass, which did at once both strengthen and adorn them. The Plates of Brass did not reflect so strong a Lustre as pure Gold, yet was it, in Value, little inferior to Silver. On the Top of the Statue was set a large Horse in Brass, facing the East, which indeed afforded a noble Prospect. He seemed to be in a marching Posture, and struggling for Speed. His near Foot before was curvated, as though he would paw the Ground; his off Foot was fixed to the Pedestal, and his hind Feet were so contracted, as though he was prepared to be gone. Upon the Horse was placed the Statue of the Emperor. ’Twas made of Brass, large like a Colossus, dress’d in a warlike Habit like Achilles, with Sandals on his Feet, and armed with a Coat of Mail, and a shining Helmet. He looked Eastward, and seemed to be marching against the Persians. In his left Hand he bore a Globe, devised to signify his universal Power over the whole World. On the Top of it was fixed a Cross, to which he attributed all his Successes in War, and his Accession to the Imperial Dignity. His right Hand was stretched to the East, and by pointing with his Fingers, he seemed to forbid the barbarous Nations to approach nearer, but to stand off at their Peril.129 Tzetzes, in his Various History, describes what kind of Helmet he had upon his Head. The Persians, says he, generally wore a Turbant upon the Head. When the Romans obtained any Victory over them, they plundered them of these Turbants, which they placed upon their own Heads. They are, says he, of the same Shape with that, with which the Statue of Justinian, erected upon a large Pillar, is crowned. Cedrinus relates, that Justinian held the Globe in his Silver Hand. Zonaras writes, that Justinian, in the seventeenth Year of his Reign, set up this Pillar, in the same Place, where formerly had stood another Pillar of Theodosius the Great, bearing his Statue in Silver, made at the Expence of his Son Arcadius, which weighed seven Thousand four Hundred Pounds. When Justinian had demolished the Statue and the Pillar, he stripped it of a vast Quantity of Lead, of which he made Pipes for Aqueducts, which brought the Water into the City. This ill Treatment of Theodosius by Justinian, was revenged upon him by the Barbarians; for they used his Pillar in the same Manner, and stripped it of the Statue, the Horse, and the Brass wherewith it was covered, so that it was only a bare Column for some Years. About thirty Years ago the whole Shaft was taken down to the Pedestal, and that, about a Year since, was demolished down to the Basis, from whence I observed a Spring to spout up with Pipes, into a large Cistern. At present there stands in the same Place a Water-House, and the Pipes are enlarged. I lately saw the Equestrian Statue of Justinian, erected upon the Pillar which stood here, and130 which had been preserved a long Time in the Imperial Precinct, carried into the melting Houses, where they cast their Ordnance. Among the Fragments were the Leg of Justinian, which exceeded my Height, and his Nose, which was above nine Inches long. I dared not publickly measure the Horse’s Legs, as they lay upon the Ground, but privately measured one of the Hoofs, and found it to be nine Inches in Height. Suidas, and some modern Historians allure us, that it was called the Forum Augustæum, because the Curatores, and Sebastophori, on the fifteenth Day of October, used to dance in the Market Place there, in Honour of Augustus; or because the Statues of Constantine, and his Mother Helena, were set up in an arched Gallery which stood here. Zosimus, a more antient Historian than Procopius, asserts, that Constantine built a round Market, with four Portico’s, two in a Row, above each other; and that he roofed two of them with Proconnesian Marble, that you might pass from them unto the Portico of Severus, and from thence beyond the Bounds of the antient City; and adds, that this Market stood in a Place, to which there was a Passage thro’ a Landgate adjacent. This is the same Market which is intended by the unknown Author of the History of Constantinople, where he tells us, that Constantine built a Market in a circular Manner. The same Author tells us in another Place, that when he was at Constantinople, Constantine had surrounded the great Forum with four Portico’s and placed at both Ends of one of them, which you ascend by many Steps, two Statues: At one End131 was placed the Statue of Rhea, the Mother of the Gods, (the same Statue, which those who sailed with Jason, placed on Mount Dindymus) rising above the City of Cyzicus. They tell you, that for her Neglect in paying divine Worship to the Gods, the Statue was defaced; and that her Hands, which before held the Reins of two Lyons which stood before her, were changed into a petitioning Posture. This Statue at the same Time faced and adorned the City. At the other End of the Portico he placed the Fortune of the City, though Suidas relates, that the Fortune of the City stood in a Nich of the Miliarium. If this Statue was set up here by Constantine, I should think, that both the Markets mentioned by Zosimus are one and the same. But to me they seem to be different; because Zosimus tells us in one Place, that Constantine built a Market with two Portico’s round it, and afterwards, that he built a Market with four Portico’s round it; unless he reckons in the Account, the Portico’s of Severus and Constantine, from whence there was a free Entrance into other Portico’s. On the East Side of the Forum Augusteum, Procopius writes, that Justinian built a large Court, where the Senate used to assemble, and celebrate an Anniversary Festival every new Year. Before the Senate-House stand six Columns, two of which support the Western Wall, in the Middle of it. The other four stand at a little Distance from it. These Pillars are all of white Marble, and I look upon them to be the largest in the World. The other six support a Portico, which runs round the Top of a large Building. The upper Part of the Portico132 is adorned with Marble elegantly variegated, and equal to that of the Columns, and is furnished with an infinite Variety of curious Statues. I am of Opinion, that Justinian did not build this Senate-House, but that he rebuilt the old Senate-House, which was burnt down by the Fire, which consumed the Church of St. Sophia, and the Baths of Zeuxippus. For Sozomen writes, that Constantine the Great built the Great Council-Hall, which was called the Senate-House, and ordered it to be held in equal Dignity, and honoured it with the same publick Celebration of the Feast of the Calends, with that of antient Rome. He tells us where this great Court stood, when he writes, that the silver Statue of Eudoxia Augusta was placed upon a Porphyry Pillar, on the South Side of the Church of St. Sophia, beyond the high Pulpit, which faces the Senate-House. Socrates tells us, that it was neither erected near, nor at any considerable Distance from the Church of St. Sophia; but beyond the broad Way, as Suidas observes, which runs between them both. In the Tribunal of the Palace, says he, stood the Pillar of Eudoxia, the Wife of Theodosius. The Treatise of the antient Description of the Wards places the Senate-House, the Tribunal with Porphyry Steps, and the Basilica, all in the same Ward. Sozomen clearly points out the Situation of the Senate-House, where he says, that when a Tumult arose concerning the Expulsion of St. Chrysostom, the great Church was all on a sudden in a Blaze, which burnt down the Buildings upon the Walks, and the Great Senate-House, lying to the South of them. There are133 some Remains of the Walls of the Senate-House still standing, southerly of the Church of St. Sophia, beyond the Way that leads from the Imperial Gate to the Forum of Constantine.

Chap. XVIII.

Of the Imperial Palace, the Basilica; of the Palace of Constantine, and the House of Entrance nam’d Chalca.

NOT far from the Forum Augusteum, as Procopius writes, stood a Palace, the Statelyness and Magnificence of which the Reader may easily guess at from the Description he gives of the Vestibulum, or the House of Entrance into it. This Vestibulum is call’d the Chalca, which is made after this Manner. There are four strait Walls carried up to a great Height in a quadrangular Figure, from each Angle of which there projects a Stone Building curiously finish’d, which rises with the Wall from Top to Bottom, no ways intercepting the beauteous Prospect before you, but seeming rather to add to the Pleasure and Agreeableness of it. Above this Building are raised eight Arches, supporting the Roof, which rises into a globular Height most beautifully adorn’d. The Roof of it is not furnish’d with fine Paintings, but shines with Mosaick Work of all sorts of Colours, in the several Figures of Men, and other Kinds of Creatures. The Historian at large134 has explain’d the Designs, which are the Scenes of War, of Battles, and the Surrender of many Towns, both in Africa and Italy. Among other Curiosities are describ’d the Victories of Justinian under his General Belisarius, and his triumphant Return to the Emperor. The Courage and Chearfulness of his Army is expressed in a lively Manner. The General is figured in an humble Posture, as making an Offering to him of all the Kings, the Kingdoms, and other rich Spoils he had taken from the Enemy. In the Middle of the Work is represented the Emperor and his Empress Theodora in a pleasant gay Humour, celebrating a Festival in Honour of his Victory over the Goths and Vandals, and bringing great Numbers of Captives before him. The whole Senate is described round them, joining in the Celebration. They all look chearful and merry, smiling, and highly pleased with the Honour they have to attend the Emperor on so important an Occasion. I would here observe, that as Papinius in his Sylvæ calls the Basilica of Paulus, the Palace of Paulus, so the House, which Procopius calls Βασιλεῖον went by the Name both of the Basilica and the Palace. And I am confirm’d in this Opinion from Cedrinus, who says, That the Fire which happen’d in the Reign of Justinian, burnt down the Porch, or House of Entrance into the Basilica, the Basilica itself, and the brazen Covering of the Palace of Constantine the Great, which from that Time to this Day, is call’d the Chalca, because it is cover’d with Plates of Brass gilded. What Cedrinus calls the Basilica, Procopius, in his Book De Ædif. Justiniani, calls τὰ Βασιλεῖα, when135 speaking of the Fire above-mention’d, he tells us, That it consumed the Gate-houses τῶν Βασιλείων, and that in particular which was call’d Chalca: The same Writer adds a little lower, that the Emperor commanded Belisarius to go to the Chalca, and the other Houses of Entrance seated by it. From which Words it is observable, that Procopius seems to believe, that there were other Houses of Entrance into the Palace, though in the Beginning of this Chapter he mentions only the Chalca. It is my Opinion, that the House where the Emperor dwelt was first call’d the Basilica; that afterwards, when the great Houses, where the Merchants assembled for Trade and Commerce, were call’d Basilica, the Emperor’s House was call’d Βασιλεῖον; and, at last, the Palace. If there was any Difference between the Basilica and the Palace, yet the Basilica was either a part of the Palace, or built near to it, as the Reader may see in the Ancient Description of the Wards, which places the Augusteum and the Basilica in the same Ward. As this Treatise takes no Notice in this Ward either of a Palace or a Court, but only of a Basilica, it seems to intimate, that the Basilica was the Palace itself. But whether the Basilica was within or without the Palace, it is certain it was near it, because they were both destroy’d by Fire, by reason of their Vicinity to one another; and the Rules of Architecture prescribe, that it be built near a Market, which is always near the Palace; and that it be built warm, that the Merchants may manage their Business there in Winter Time, without any Molestation from the Severity of the Weather. Julius136 Pollux is of the same Opinion, who says, That the Stadia, the Hippodrom, the Senate-House, the Forum, the Court, the Imperial Portico, and the Tribunal, ought to stand near the Theatre. Cedrinus writes, that the beautiful Structure of the Chalca was built by one Ætherius a famous Architect, by the Command of the wife of Emperor Anastasius, as appears from a Greek Inscription upon it, which runs thus:

Upon a Building in the Palace, call’d Chalca.

Some modern Historians will have it, that Constantine the Great first built the Palace of Chalca. I should be inclinable to disbelieve them, but that I am induced to think it was so, when I observ’d the brazen Tyles gilded with Gold, resembling those of the Capitol, and a Forum of Old Rome, whose Buildings Constantine was proud to imitate, as near as he could. I could never learn, who it was who remov’d the Tyles of the Chalca; though it is not improbable, but that they were spoiled by the Fire. ’Tis related by Procopius, that Genseric plunder’d half the Roman Capitol of the gilded Plates of Brass that cover’d it, and that Constantine the Third, the Nephew of Heraclius, carry’d off the Silver Plates which were laid over the Pantheon. At a small Distance (on the South-west Side of the Church of St. Sophia) from the Water-Pipes of an Aqueduct running from a Conduit situate in the Forum Augusteum, where was erected the Pillar of Justinian, are still remaining seven Corinthian Pillars, on the Shaft of one of which is cut the Name of Constantine, with the Signal of the Cross he saw in the Heavens, with this Inscription, ἐν τούτῳ νίκα. The Basis and Shaft of these Pillars are buried, at the Bottom of them, under Ground, to the Depth of six Foot, which I discover’d, when I casually fell into the Foundation of the Walls, which were built between them. I could not see the Plinth of the Base of any of them, because it was cover’d with Earth; yet I perceiv’d the lowermost Tore, which was138 eight Digits in Thickness, and seven in Height. The Stone at the Bottom of the Shaft was nine Inches broad. Every Pillar is thirty Foot and six Digits high: In short, the whole Pillar, Capital and Pedestal, is about forty six Foot and a half in Height. The Bottom of the Shaft, which I measured just above the Stone it bears upon, is eighteen Foot in Circumference. The Pillars stand at the Distance of twenty Foot and ten Digits from each other. The Inhabitants say, that these Pillars stood within the Palace of Constantine; others say, that they formerly supported a Bridge, over which you passed, as you went from the Palace to the Church of St. Sophia. But there is nothing of Truth in either of these Opinions; for ’tis plain from what I observed before, that they stood in the Forum Augusteum. So that I am inclined to believe, that they supported the Arches of the Portico’s, in which the Statues of Constantine the Great, his Mother Helena, and other Statues were placed. From what I have said, the Reader may trace the Beauty and Grandeur of the Palaces at Constantinople, as well as from Zosimus, who says, that Constantine built some Palaces at Constantinople, little inferior to those of Rome. Eusebius reports, that he illustrated and adorn’d New Rome, and the Imperial Palace, in other respects, besides those I have mention’d, but that in the finest Buildings of his Palace, and in the Middle of all his gilded Roofs, he fix’d a Cross set with several Kinds of the richest Jewels, shining with massy Gold; intimating thereby, that he look’d upon the Cross as the Defence and Bulwark of his Government. St. Jerome tells us, That he stripp’d139 almost every City of its Curiosities and Ornaments, to adorn his New Rome. Eusebius also mentions the Statues of the Muses, which he caused to be fix’d up in his Palace. Sozomen writes, that by the Command of Constantine, all that was valuable in the Temples of the Ancients under his Government, and all the brazen Statues of the nicest Workmanship were brought to Constantinople, to beautify the City; which, he tells us, remain’d in the publick Ways, in the Hippodrom, and in the Palace, down to his Time. But not only Constantine the Great, but many other Emperors of Constantinople ravaged the whole World for the Decoration of this City. Among these was Constantine the Third, the Nephew of Heraclius, who plunder’d ancient Rome of all its brazen and Marble Statues, ship’d off all the costly Furniture of their Temples, and made more Havock there in the Space of seven Days, than the barbarous Nations did in the Space of two hundred and fifty Years; for so many Years was the Roman Empire in its Declension before that general Pillage. Iornandes, no indifferent Writer of the Getick History, reports, That Theodorick Prefect of Constantinople was adopted, and made Consul by the Emperor Zeno, who honour’d him with an Equestrian Statue, which was erected before the Palace. Tzetzes, in his various History, tells us, that even in his Time, the Head of Apollo, made by Phidias in the Likeness of the Sun, remain’d in the Palace. Suidas relates, that the Statue of Pulcheria, the Daughter of Arcadius, was placed in the Chalca, near the Walks of Ariadne the first Wife of Zeno, and that the Statues of Zeno himself140 were set up in the Imperial Gate-house of Chalca; as were also two other Statues on foot, erected upon a small Pillar, with Elegies inscrib’d upon them, composed by Secundus the Philosopher. I have seen in the History of no creditable Author, tho’ well known to the People of Constantinople, that Justinian erected on the left Side of the Chalca, seven Statues in Honour of his Relations, some of Brass, and some of Marble, and that he had also set up two Horses in the Nich before the Chalca, as also some gilded Heads of Women, in the frightful Likeness of Medusa; I could mention others, but that I do not much depend upon the Authority of the History. Suidas says, that in the Tribunal of the Palace stood the Statues of Eudoxia, and her Emperor Theodosius; of Marcian and Constantine, till the Time of Heraclius.

Chap. XIX.

Of the Basilica, and the Imperial Walks.

THE Basilica, which, as I observed before, stood in the Forum Augusteum, had four Arches, as appears from the ancient following Inscriptions on them.

Upon an Arch in the Basilica of Byzantium.

141

And on another Part of the same Arch:

Calliades, General of the Byzantian Army, plac’d the Statues of Byzas and Phidalia in the Basilica, with this Inscription upon them:

And on the Statue of Phidalia:

Pliny, among other Statuaries, mentions Anthermus of Chios, and his Sons Biopalus and Anthermus. Dionysius, a Native of Byzantium writes, that Byzas, from whom Byzantium took its Name, was the Husband of Phidalia, from whom the Port of the Bosporus took the Name of the Port of Phidalia, of which I have wrote more largely in my Treatise of the Bosporus. Suidas, and some modern Writers say, that in the Basilica, behind the Miliarium Aureum, there was a gilded Statue in the Likeness of a Man, where was also the Exammon of Heraclius, and the Statue of Justin the Emperor in a kneeling Posture. Terbelis is said to have preached in the same Place. Here was also placed by the Order of Severus, the Figure of a large Elephant, upon the following Occasion:142 That an Elephant being stabled near it, and the House of a Silver-Smith, who worked in Plate, being robbed, he suspecting the Keeper of the Elephant to be the Thief, threatned him with Death, unless he would move his Station; and the Fellow bidding him Defiance, he slew him, and threw him to the Elephant, at which the Beast being enraged, killed his Keeper’s Murderer. Severus being acquainted with the Fact, offered Sacrifices to the Elephant, commanded him and his Keeper to be cast in Brass, and set up here; where also, as Suidas relates, was the Statue of Hercules, to which the Byzantians paid divine Adoration, and offered Sacrifice. Afterwards, in the Consulship of Julian, it was moved into the Hippodrom; but was originally, with ten other Statues, brought from Old Rome, partly by Sea, and partly by Land Carriage. Thus it was that Hercules, living and dead, travelled the greatest Part of the World. Suidas writes, that in the Imperial Walks were placed the Equestrian Statues of Trajan, Theodosius, Valentinian, Gibbus, and Firmillianus the Buffoon. There were many other Statues of Emperors and Eunuchs set up in this Place, the most famous of which was the Statue of Eutropius, who was Chamberlain to the Emperor Arcadius. The Honour and Opulency of this Eunuch appeared in numberless gilded Statues, erected to him in every Part of the City, and the Magnificence and Superiority of the Houses he built, almost in every Street. This so far encouraged and increased the Number of the Eunuchs, that even the Boys affected to be so, that they might become as rich and as143 honourable as Eutropius. The Basilica was so near to the Miliarium, and the Augusteum, that the Clock made by the Command of the Emperor Justin, Cedrinus places in the Miliarium, others in the Forum Augusteum, and others in the Basilica, as is evident from the following Inscription.

On the Basis of the Dial over the Arch in the Basilica.

Chap. XX.

Of the Imperial Library, and Portico; as also of the Imperial Cistern.

THE Imperial Palace, says Zonaras, stood near the Basilica, hard by the Brasiers Shops. The Basilica was furnished with many Volumes, both of human and divine Learning. It was anciently the Mansion House of some Person of distinguished Knowledge, whom they called the President or Master. He had under him144 twelve Assistants, excellently well skilled in the Art of Reasoning, who were maintained at the publick Charge. They had each of them several Pupils under them, who were instructed in the Methods of Argumentation, and were had in such high Estimation, that upon all important Affairs of State, the Emperors summoned them to Council. In the Reign of Basilicus, there happened at Constantinople a great Fire, which begun at, and consumed the Brasiers Shops, with all the adjacent Buildings, burnt down whole Streets; and among other fine Edifices, destroyed the famous Basilica, which contained a Library of six hundred thousand Volumes. Among other Curiosities of this Place, was the Gut of a Dragon, a hundred and twenty Foot long, on which were inscribed in Golden Characters the Iliads and Odysses of Homer. Malchus, a learned Byzantian, wrote the History of Constantinople, which he brought down from the Reign of Constantine, to the Time of Anastasius the Emperor, in which he very passionately laments the burning of the publick Library, and the Statues of the Forum Augusteum. Cedrinus speaking of the same Library, gives the same Account of it with Zonaras, almost word for word, and adds, That this Library contain’d the Histories of the Atchievements of the greatest Heroes, in the several Ages of the World. Many Years after this Basilica was burn’d down, the Emperor Leo Conon, the Students vigorously opposing his Heresy, order’d the Palace to be fired, and burnt them, and the Library; which was afterwards rebuilt, and furnished with a most curious Collection of the best Authors.145 The Basilicæ at Old Rome, were the Places where they used to plead, to hold their Councils and Senates, and to carry on the Business of Merchandize and Commerce: At Constantinople they were used as Libraries and Schools of Learning, as appears by what I have already observ’d, as also from the following Inscription.

Upon the publick School in Byzantium.

Modern Writers tell us, that the Place where the Library stood was of an Octogonal Figure, where there were arch’d Portico’s, and a large Room, where the head Master used to converse with his Assistants. Cedrinus affirms, that the great Church, the Hospital of Sampson, the Gate-house of the Basilica, the Augusteum, the Chalca, the two long Portico’s, as far as the Forum of Constantine, the Octogon, and the Bagnio’s of Zeuxippus, were destroy’d by a Fire, which happen’d in the Reign of Justinian. I would observe from this Passage, that there must of Necessity be two Octogons near one another. For if the Octogon, as Cedrinus reports, had been the same with that where the Library stood, he would not have omitted to take Notice that the Library was burnt down also in the Reign of Justinian. It is my Opinion, that the Place where the Library stood, was of a quadrangular Figure, and seems to be146 the same Building which Procopius says was encompassed with Pillars erected in a square Manner. Zonaras mentions nothing of the Form of the Basilica, which contain’d the Library, but only says, that it adjoin’d to the Chalcopratia, or Braziers Shops. Cedrinus calls the Basilica, Cisterna, which some Writers erroneously tell us, was built by Constantine the Great. I am confirm’d in this Opinion from Procopius, who says, that near the Imperial Portico, where the Lawyers used to plead, there was a spacious Building of a great Length and Breadth, encompassed with Pillars in a quadrangular Manner, situate on a rocky Ground, which was built by Justinian to a great Height, for preserving the Water in Summer, which was brought into it by subterraneous Pipes, and in the Winter from the Aqueducts, for the Use of the Poor. Menander, surnam’d the Protector, says of himself, that it was once against his Inclinations to enter into the Litigations of the Law in the Imperial Portico, and by the Force of Pleading, to attempt to reconcile the Jarrings and Contentions of Men. Agathius plays handsomly upon one Uranius a Native of Syria, who set up for a Physician, although he was entirely ignorant of the Aristotelian Discipline. This Fellow was blustering, noisy, an impudent Pretender to infallible Cures, and very talkative, among other Places, in the Imperial Portico; and speaking of himself, he tells us, that he has often from Morning to Night read over many Law Books, and Discourses of Trade and Commerce in the Imperial Portico’s. From these Passages it is observable, that the Imperial Portico, and the Imperial147 Cistern, stood in the same Place. The Imperial Portico is not to be seen, though the Cistern is still remaining. Through the Carelesness and Contempt of every thing that is curious in the Inhabitants, it was never discover’d, but by me, who was a Stranger among them, after a long and diligent Search after it. The whole Ground was built upon, which made it less suspected there was a Cistern there. The People had not the least Suspicion of it, although they daily drew their Water out of the Wells which were sunk into it. I went by Chance into a House, where there was a Descent into it, and went aboard a little Skiff. The Master of the House, after having lighted some Torches, rowing me here and there across, through the Pillars, which lay very deep in Water, I made a Discovery of it. He was very intent upon catching his Fish, with which the Cistern abounds, and spear’d some of them by the Light of the Torches. There is also a small Light which descends from the Mouth of the Well, and reflects upon the Water, where the Fish usually come for Air. This Cistern is three hundred and thirty six Foot long, a hundred and eighty two Foot broad, and two hundred and twenty four Roman Paces in Compass. The Roof, and Arches, and Sides, are all Brick-work, and cover’d with Terrass, which is not the least impair’d by Time. The Roof is supported with three hundred and thirty six Marble Pillars. The Space of Intercolumniation is twelve Foot. Each Pillar is above forty Foot nine Inches high. They stand lengthways in twelve Ranges, broad-ways in twenty eight. The Capitals of them are148 partly finish’d after the Corinthian Model, and part of them not finish’d. Over the Abacus of every Pillar is placed a large Stone, which seems to be another Abacus, and supports four Arches. There are abundance of Wells which fall into the Cistern. I have seen, when it was filling in the Winter-time, a large Stream of Water falling from a great Pipe with a mighty Noise, till the Pillars, up to the Middle of the Capitals, have been cover’d with Water. This Cistern stands Westward of the Church of St. Sophia, at the Distance of eighty Roman Paces from it.

Chap. XXI.

Of the Chalcopratia.

IT is plain from what has been observed, that the Chalcopratia, or Places where they work’d their Brass, stood near the Basilica. Cedrinus reports, That Theodosius the Less built the Church of the Chalcopratia, and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary. Others say, that the Jews, who had lived there from the Time of Constantine the Great, had obliged Theodosius the Less to retire from thence, and built that Church; and that afterwards, when it had been shatter’d by an Earthquake, it was rebuilt by Justin Curopalatos, tho’ Zonaras is of another Opinion. Theodosius the Great, says he, marching into the Western Parts, the Jews took the Opportunity, and made Honoratus the Prefect of the City, their Friend, and obtain’d149 of him the Freedom to build a Synagogue in the Chalcopratia: The People being enraged at this, set it on fire, and burnt it down. When Theodosius was made acquainted with the Fact, he lay’d a Fine upon those who were concern’d in it, and gave them a fresh Licence to build another. St. Ambrose, who was then Bishop of Milan, being inform’d of the Matter, lay’d before Theodosius the Greatness of the Crime, in suffering the Jews to build a Synagogue in the very Centre of the Queen of Cities, upon which he remitted the Fine, and stopp’d their Proceedings. There are no Braziers Shops in this Place at present, they being removed into another part of the City, tho’ I was inform’d by some of the Inhabitants, that not many Years since they follow’d their Trade near the Chalcopratia. The unknown Author of the History of Constantinople, describing the Boundaries of Old Byzantium, tells us, That the Chalcopratia were not far from the Miliarium. Others say, that they were near the Church of St. Sophia. Strabo speaking of the Palace of Alexandria, relates, that in Conformity to this at Constantinople, it had a Library, a Portico, a Convocation-House, or Place of Assembly upon publick Affairs, and a large publick Foundation for the Encouragement of Persons of Literature and Science.

150

Chap. XXII.

Of the Portico’s situate between the Palace, and the Forum of Constantine.

BESIDES the Imperial Portico, which stood near the Library, there were also other Portico’s at a little Distance from it, which reach’d from the Palace to the Forum of Constantine. The first Fire, which happen’d in the Reign of Justinian, consumed the Palace and the Church of St. Sophia, both the long Portico’s, as far as the Forum of Constantine. Cedrinus says, that besides these, it destroy’d also the Chalca and the Augusteum. The Fire that happen’d afterwards in the Reign of Basiliscus, began at the Chalcopratia, burnt down the two adjoining Portico’s, all the neighbouring Buildings, the Basilica, in which was the Library, two Portico’s which stood between the Palaces, and all the fine Ornaments of the Lausus. These Portico’s have been often burnt, and as often rebuilt; first of all by Justinian, then by others, and last by Domninus, which is confirm’d by a modern Historian, who says, That when Constantinople was taken by the Gauls and the Venetians, the cover’d Portico’s of Domninus reaching on both Sides of the Way, from the Miliarium to the Forum of Constantine, were burnt to the Ground. Some say, That in the Time of Constantine the Great, Eubulus built four double Portico’s, which were arch’d at Top, and151 reach’d from the Palace to the Land Wall of the City; one of which stretch’d as far as the Church of St. Anthony, at the End of the City, another from the Port of Sophia, to the Church named Rabdon; the other two extended themselves from the Chalca, and the Miliarium to the Forum of Constantine, the Street call’d Taurus, and the Brazen Bull. All of them were paved with square Marble, and adorn’d with infinite Numbers of Statues. These Relations, though they come from unknown Authors, who, as I have sometimes observed, have not so strictly adhered to Truth, yet seem to carry with them a good Face of Probability, since it is evident from Historians of more Veracity, how industrious Constantine was in adorning the City; and ’tis no less evident from the Treatise of the ancient Description of the Wards, that Constantinople, in the Reigns of Arcadius and Honorius, had no less than fifty two publick Portico’s, five of which the Author places in the fourth Ward, in which stood the Basilica, the Imperial Portico, and the Portico of Fannio; besides which, he places four large Portico’s in the sixth Ward. In the same Ward he places another large Portico. He adds, that the seventh Ward abounds with Portico’s, and that the eighth Ward had six Portico’s more. In the ninth Ward were two large Portico’s. The tenth had six, the eleventh four. From which it is credible, that the Portico’s stood very thick from the Chalca to the Land Wall, but I cannot say they were contiguous beyond the Taurus.

152

Chap. XXIII.

Of the Miliarium Aureum and its Statues, and of the Fortune of the City, and her Statue.

THE Miliarium Aureum was a gilded Pillar, from whence they used to adjust the Mensuration of their Miles, and the Distances from the City. Pliny tells us, that it was set up at Rome in the highest Ground of the publick Forum; but whether the Miliarium at Constantinople was like that of Rome, the Greek Historians have been so far from declaring their Opinions concerning it, that in all their Writings they have not so much as mention’d the Name of it. Yet it seems very probable to me, that it was like it, and was also seated in the Forum, or near it. For the Ancient Description of the Wards places it in the Ward where the Forum Augusteum and the Basilica stood, to which it adjoin’d. They who have written the History of the Atchievements of Alexius Comnenus the Emperor, tell us, that at Break of Day, the Forces of Alexius, marching out of the great Palace, under the Command of Sabatius their General, enter’d the Church of St. John the Divine, and when they had got to the Top of the Church, they express’d themselves in a provoking manner, so that a Battle began about three in the Morning, and that many People in the Forum were wounded, who fought from the153 Roof of the Miliarium, and the Top of St. John’s Church. The Inhabitants say, that this was the Church where the Elephants of the Grand Seignor are now stabled. ’Tis near the Hippodrom, and the Forum Cupedinis, famous for Niceties, situate near the Church of St. Sophia, and was formerly called the Forum Augusteum. But to come closer to the Point: Suidas says, That in the Basilica, behind the Miliarium, were placed a gilded Statue of a Man, as also of an Elephant and his Keeper; others, with more Probability, say, that these Statues were erected behind the Basilica, near the Miliarium. Suidas adds, that the Statue of Theodosius was placed in the Miliarium, and that upon the setting it up, he distributed large Donations of Corn among the People. Upon the Equestrian Statue of Theodosius, not remaining at present, were inscrib’d these Verses.

Suidas proceeds farther, and tells us, that the Statues of Sophia, the Consort of Justin the Thracian, of his Daughter Arabia, and his Niece Helena; as also the Equestrian Statues of Arcadius and Theodosius his Son, were placed in the Miliarium, near the Statue of Theodosius the Great. Cedrinus writes, that there stood two Statues above the Nich of the Miliarium, one of Constantine the Great, the other of his Mother Helena, with a Cross between154 them: Behind them was placed the Statue of Trajan on Horse-back, and that near him was placed the Statue of Ælius Hadrianus. Suidas adds, that the Cross which was placed between Constantine and Helena, had this Inscription; una sancta, & duo celeres Cursores. From whence it is evident, that the Forum, the Miliarium, and the Basilica stood so near together, that they are not only placed by different Authors in different Places, but sometimes by one and the same Historian. The same Writer says, that there was also in the Miliarium a great Piece of Antiquity, which was a Chariot drawn by four Fallow Horses, supported by two square Pillars, in the Place where Constantine was received by his Army with joyful Congratulations, after he had conquered Azotium; but originally, because Byzas, the Founder of Byzantium, had there been highly applauded by the People. The Chariot of the Sun was carried into the Hippodrom, in which was seated a small Statue, made by the Order of Constantine. This Statue was the Fortune of the City, which on great Festivals, and the Day of the Celebration of the Foundation of the City, was set up with a Cross on her Head, in the Senate-House. Julian the Apostate demolished it in the same Place, where Arius died in a miserable Manner, which was at a small Distance from the Senate-House. In the same Place, the pious Emperor Theodosius had ordered the Statues of Arius, Macedonius, Sabellius, and Eunomius, which were cut in Marble, to be placed in a sitting Posture on the Ground, to be polluted with the Excrements, and receive the Curses of the155 People, in Token of their flagrant Perfidiousness. Other Historians say, that the Statue of the Fortune of the City was brought from Rome by Constantine the Great, and placed in a Nich in the Palace. Zosimus writes, that Constantine placed the Fortune of Rome, on the Side of one of the four Portico’s that surrounded the great Forum. ’Tis very probable, that the People of Constantinople celebrated a Festival in Honour of her, as was customary at Old Rome, both by Natives and Foreigners, the same Day, in which the Palilia, (the Festivals of Pales) were celebrated. Socrates tells us, that Julian, when he was publickly sacrificing to the Fortune of Constantinople, in the Basilica, where her Statue was set up; Mares, the Bishop of Chalcedon, being led thither by the Hand, for he was blind with Age, sharply reprimanded him, and called him an Apostate from the Christian Religion. Julian in Return, called him a blind old Fellow, adding sarcastically this Question; Is your God, the Galilean, able to cure you? For thus, by Way of Contempt, he used to call our Saviour. Upon which the good old Bishop replied, I thank my God, who has taken my Sight from me, so that I cannot behold the Man who is fallen into so great an Apostacy; upon which Julian was silent. Zonaras, and some Historians who lived before him, have recorded, That in the Time of Anastasius, the Statue of Fortune, made in Brass, stood with one Foot in a brazen Ship, and was placed in some Part of the City; but that when this Ship began to decay with Age, or some Parts of it were stolen, or shattered by Treachery, it happened, that no Ships of Burthen156 came into the Port of Constantinople, but that upon their Arrival near the City, a Storm prevented their coming into Harbour; and if their Cargo was taken aboard the Long-boats, and brought into the City, they tell you it was soon consumed, by Reason of the Scarcity, which then prevailed. Upon this, the Curatores of the City were obliged to enquire into the Reason of it. When the Magistrates of the City, upon Information, began to suspect the Cause, they found, upon Enquiry, the Fragments of the Ship, which were fitted to their proper Places, when on a sudden, Navigation was open and free, and the Sea was constantly full of Vessels sailing into the Port. And that they might fully discover the real Cause of this Calamity, they repeated the Experiment, by stripping the Ship again of some Pieces of it, and the Ships coming into Harbour, were prevented as before; so they repaired the brazen Vessel she stood in, and took a particular Care of it. Eunapius, who wrote the History of the Lives of the Philosophers and wise Men, says, that in the Reign of Constantine, the Inhabitants attributed this Difficulty of coming into Harbour to another Cause. There was no entring the Port at Constantinople, says he, unless the Wind stood full South. When this had frequently happened, the People, oppressed with Famine, assembled in the Theatre, enraged at Constantine. The Chief of the Courtiers having conceived a Resentment against Sopatrus the Philosopher, brought him before the Emperor, and impeached him in the following Manner: This Sopatrus, Sir, who is so high in your Favour, has by his excessive Wisdom chained157 up the Winds, for which you so far admire him, as to admit him too near your Imperial Person. Constantine, believing the Allegations, ordered him to be beheaded.

Chap. XXIV.

Of the Temple of Neptune, of the Church of St. Mina, (or Menna) of the Stadia, and the Stairs of Timasius.

I Cannot omit taking Notice of the Church of St. Mina, because it shews in what Part of the City the fourth Ward stood, which contained the Basilica, the Augusteum, and the Church of St. Mina. The History of an unknown Author reports, that Byzas formerly built a Temple to Neptune, near the Acropolis, by the Sea, where, he says, that in his Time stood the Church of St. Mina the Martyr; though he seems to contradict himself, where he says, that the Church of St. Mina was formerly the Temple of Jupiter, and that the Roof of it, which was arched with Marble, was supported with two large Pillars. So that I can conclude nothing from the Uncertainty of this Writer, but that it seems more probable to me, that the Church of St. Mina stood in those Parts of the Acropolis, in which formerly stood the Temple of Neptune, as appears from Dionysius an antient Writer of Byzantium, who says, that a little above the Promontory of the Bosporus,158 was erected an Altar to Minerva Egressoria, and the Temple of Neptune; and that below the Temple of Neptune were the Stadia, and the Gymnasia, where they diverted themselves with martial Sports and Exercises, as I have shewn more at large in my Treatise of the Bosporus. I am confirmed in this Opinion from the Information of some of the Inhabitants now living, who told me, that within the Imperial Precinct, formerly called the Acropolis, stood the Church of St. Mina. The Antient Description of the Wards of the City tells us, that the Church of St. Mina stood in the same Ward with the Stadia, and the Stairs of Timasius. Procopius writes, That at the Place called the Stadium, near the Sea, where they exercised themselves in martial Sports, the Emperor Justinian, and his Empress Theodora, built some large Inns for the Entertainment of Strangers.

159

Chap. XXV.

Of the Lausus, and its Statues; namely, a Venus of Cnidos, a Juno of Samos, a Minerva of Lindia, a winged Cupid, a Jupiter Olympius, a Saturn, Unicorns, Tygers, Vultures, Beasts that are half Camels, and half Panthers; of the Cistern of the Hospital called Philoxenos, and the Chrysotriclinium.

THE Lausus is a Place celebrated in the Writings of many Historians, some of whom write, that it was the House of Lausus a Patrician, who bore many Offices in the Reign of Arcadius, the Son of Theodosius the Great, and that he adorned his House with many famous Monuments of Antiquity. There is a Book still extant, under the Title of Lausaicus, which was wrote by Heraclidas, Bishop of Cappadocia, and inscribed to Lausus. In what Part of the City this Place was, no Authors mention; but ’tis very probable that it was between the Palace, and the Forum of Constantine, from the Authorities both of Zonaras, and Cedrinus; who having described the Ruines of the Fire, which happened in the Reign of Leo, both on the North, and South Side of the City tell us, that in the Middle of the City, it160 burnt from the Lausus, to the Street called Taurus. And Evagrius, speaking of the same Fire, says, that it destroyed all the Buildings from the Forum of Constantine to the Taurus. The Reader may observe from hence, that the Lausus was not far from the Forum of Constantine. Cedrinus also in his Description of that Fire which happened in the Reign of Basiliscus, makes it plain, that it stood Eastward, between the Palace, and the Forum of Constantine. This Fire, says he, consumed the Chalcopratia, the most beautiful Part of the City, the Basilica, with its eminent Library, and all the surprizing Ornaments of the Lausus, to the Forum of Constantine. There was in the Lausus, continues our Historian, an infinite Number of Statues, the most remarkable of which was, the Statue of Minerva of Lindia, which was four Cubits long, and made of an Emerald Stone. ’Twas cut by Scyllis and Dipœnus, two eminent Statuaries, and presented by Sesostris King of Egypt, to Cleobulus King of Lindia, a Prince of incomparable Wisdom. From hence it is probable the Place is called Laousos; for Minerva sometimes goes under the Name of Laossos. Theophrastus writes, that the Egyptian Commentators mention, that the King of Babylon made a Present to their King of an Emerald, which was four Cubits long, and three in Breadth. If Sesostris, Scyllis, and Dipœnus were living at the same Time, Pliny should rather have called it the Emerald of Minerva. But these were no less antient, than eminent Statuaries, born in the Island of Crete, when under the Government of the Medes, before Cyrus was King of Persia, that is,161 about the fifteenth Olympiad. They carved the Statues of Apollo, Diana, Hercules, as also of Minerva, which was blasted with Lightning. Pliny takes Notice, that Ambracia, Argos, and Cleone were full of Statues made by Dipœnus, tho’ he says nothing of the Statue of Minerva of Lindia. Cedrinus adds, that there was placed in the Lausus, the Statue of Venus of Cnidos, which was looked upon every where as a celebrated Piece of Sculpture. It was finished by Praxiteles, is made of white Marble, and appears in a naked Posture. There is also a Juno of Samos, the Workmanship of Lysippus and Bupalus, and a winged Cupid, with his Quiver. This Statue was brought from Myndus. There was also a Jupiter riding upon an Elephant, which was carved by Phidias, and placed in his Temple by Pericles. There was also another Statue made by Lysippus, which was bald behind, tho’ not before, which was taken for the Statue of Saturn. There were also erected here many Statues of Unicorns, Tygers, Beasts that were half Camels, and half Panthers; others that were half Bulls, and half Harts, besides several Statues of Vultures. The unknown Author of the History of Constantinople says, That in his Time there were standing in the Lausus some Eagles that were cut in Stone. I am induced to think, that there were some Figures of Birds standing there at that Time, but believe them to be the Vultures mentioned by Cedrinus. This Author tells us, that there stood in the Lausus several fine Buildings, some Hospitals, a Place for the Entertainment of Strangers, which had very good Spring-water, and was call’d Philoxenon.162 Some Writers affirm, that the Philoxenon was a Cistern, built by one of that Name. I look upon it to be the same Cistern, which was situate between the Triclinium and the Lausiacum, and was filled up by the Order of Heraclius. Menander, surnamed the Protector, tells us, That Philip of Macedon cleansed most of the Cisterns of the City, which Heraclius commanded to be replenished with Earth. If that Prince gave Orders for the cleansing of that Cistern, among others, ’tis the same which lies under Ground, on the North Side of Abraham the Basha’s House, between the Lausiacum, and the Triclinium; whose Roof is supported with four Hundred and twenty four marble Pillars, two hundred and twelve supporting the same Number of Pillars above them. I measured one of them, for they all seem to be of a Bigness, and I found it to be six Foot and nine Inches in Circumference. There is another Cistern on the West Side of the same House, whose Arches are supported with thirty two Corinthian Pillars, standing in four Ranges, each Range consisting of eight Pillars, whose Shafts are nine Foot in Compass. As to the Triclinium, between which and the Lausus was built the Philoxenon; I suppose it to be the same which Justinian the Third built near the Palace, and called it after his own Name, the Triclinium of Justinian. ’Tis reported by Cedrinus, that this Triclinium was finely beautified by the Emperor Tiberius. The Western Gate of this Triclinium is taken Notice of by Leo the Fifth, when he foretold that the Head of the Man which should be cut off in the Hippodrom for his Tyranny,163 should be brought before him through the Western Gate of the Triclinium. Frequent Mention is made of this Chrysotriclinium by Historians, who wrote just before the taking of Constantinople by the Turks, and all the Inhabitants both knew the Name, and the Place where it stood. But the People are since fallen into such an Aversion to Learning, and a Disrelish of what is ingenious and Polite, that they rather chuse to embrace a voluntary Ignorance, and treat every Thing that is curious with Indignity and Contempt.

The End of the Second Book.

164

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 fourth165 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, that166 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 the167 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 the168 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 Figure169 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 the170 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.

171

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, and172 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,173 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 was174 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.175 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 many176 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 six177 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.178 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 the179 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 Romans180 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.

181

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 stern182 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,183 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, the184 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 were185 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,186 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 fixed187 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 informed188 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 a189 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 that190 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, but191 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 situate192 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, such193 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,194 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 the195 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 far196 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 formerly197 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 Socrates198 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 stood199 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;200 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 Garden201 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 own202 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 contained203 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.204 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.

205

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 may206 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 no207 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.208 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.

209

Chap. IX.

Of the third Valley, and the tenth Ward; of the House of Placidia, and her Palace; of the Aqueduct of Valentinian, the Bagnio’s of Constantine, and the Nympheum.

THAT the tenth Ward extended itself towards the North, and that it was situate in the third Valley, and on the East Side of it; as also on the Top of the Promontory, rising above the third Valley, is evident from the Author of the Description of the Wards, who writes, that the tenth Ward is divided from the ninth by a broad Way; that it lies much more upon the Level; that ’tis in no part of it uneven, but near the Sea Shore; that ’tis of a proportionable Length and Breadth; and that it contains the Church of St. Achatius, the Bagnio’s of Constantine, the House of Placidia Augusta, and many other fine Buildings. But I could not find, after the utmost Search and Enquiry, the Situation of any of them; so that I was obliged to have Recourse to the Authority of Historians who had wrote of these Matters; and in consulting them, I could not but take Notice of a Mistake in the Author of the Description, &c. who says, that this Ward contain’d the Bagnio’s of Constantine, whereas I cannot find, that Constantine ever had any Bagnio’s at Constantinople,210 but that Constantius had. For Sozomen, speaking of those Persons, who, favouring St. Chrysostom and his Doctrine, were expelled the City, says, That perceiving the People to be furiously enraged against them, they did not assemble the next Day in the great Church, but celebrated the Holy Communion in a Bagnio, which was called the Bagnio of Constantius. Suidas reports, that Elladius Alexandrinus wrote a Description of the Bagnio’s of Constantius, in the Time of Theodosius the Less. Socrates relates, that Valens the Emperor commanded the Walls of Chalcedon to be taken down, and the Stones to be carried to Constantinople to build a Bagnio, which was to be called the Bagnio of Constantius; and adds, That in one of these Stones was cut a Prophecy, which had been hid for many Ages, but was then explained, viz. That when the City abounded with Water, a Wall would be of some Service to a Bagnio, and that numberless Nations of the Barbarians, should invade the Territories of the Romans, make great Devastations there, but at last should be overcome. The Prophecy, as described by Socrates, is as follows:

Zonaras and Cedrinus write this Prophecy the same Way, but differ in the Greek from Socrates, and put for δροσερὴν, ἱερὴν, for λουτροῖο, λουτροῖσι, for ἄγρια μαρμαίροντα, ἄγρα μαργαίνοντα, for καλιρόοιο, κιμμερίοιο. This Prophecy is thus interpreted by Socrates, who tells us, that it was fully accomplished, when Valens built an Aqueduct, which supplied the City with Plenty of Water, when the Barbarous Nations invaded the Territories of New Rome. However, it is capable of being interpreted in another Manner. For after Valens had brought the Aqueduct into Constantinople, Clearchus, the Prefect of the City, built a large Cistern in the Forum of Theodosius, into which the Aqueduct emptied it self, and the People were there entertained at a jovial Feast, and that therefore it was called the plentiful Cistern, which they tell you, was foretold by the Prophecy in the Lines abovementioned. But some Part of this Prophecy was not fulfilled till some Time after, when the Wall of Chalcedon was pulling down by the Order of Valens. At this Time the People of Nicomedia, of Nice, and Bithynia, petitioned the Emperor against it, who being highly displeased with them for it, could hardly be prevailed upon to comply with their Petition; and therefore to disengage himself from an Oath he had made to demolish the Wall, he ordered other Stones to be placed in their Room, as fast as the old ones were taken down. So that you212 may see at present, what a mean Superstructure is railed upon the Remains of the old Wall, which consisted of Stones of the largest, and most wonderful Size. Zonaras and Cedrinus record it also, that Valens to express his Resentment against the People of Chalcedon, for giving Protection to his Enemy Procopius, commanded the Walls of their City to be demolished, and an Aqueduct to be made of their Stones, which the former Historian sometimes calls the Aqueduct of Valens, and the latter sometimes the Aqueduct of Valentinian; and adds, among other Passages of the History before mentioned, that according to the Prophecy, the Barbarous Nations made their Incursions into Thrace, but were afterwards defeated. The Aqueduct of Valentinian, which is highly arched, passing thro’ the tenth Ward, reaches from the Sides of the fourth, to the Side of the third Hill. I should be much surprized, that the Author of the Description of the Wards, who has taken Notice of the Granaries of Valentinian, has not mentioned it; but that I am sensible he has omitted many other Monuments of Antiquity, which were in Being in his Time. In the Reign of Constantine, the Son of Leo the Emperor (who was a declared Enemy to Images in Churches) and in the Year of our Lord 759, there was so great a Drought at Constantinople, that the Dew ceas’d to fall from Heaven, and all the Cisterns, Bagnio’s, and Fountains of the City were dry’d up; which the Emperor observing, he began to repair the Aqueduct of Valentinian, which continued in good Order, till the Reign of Heraclius, when it was demolished by213 the Avares. Upon this he sent for Workmen from many Places to rebuild it; from Asia and Pontus he had a Thousand Builders, and two hundred White-washers; from Greece five hundred Brick-makers, and from Thrace a Thousand Day-labourers, over whom there presided a Nobleman, and some of the principal Men of the City, as Surveyors of the Works. When the Aqueduct was finished, the City was again supplied with Water, which was conveyed into the Town through a Passage lying between the ninth and the tenth Ward. There are many subterraneous Aqueducts which run through six of the Hills, but the Aqueduct of Valentinian has its Course above Ground, which the Historians, who have wrote of the Actions of Andronicus tell you, passed through the Great Forum, that the Water of it was clear and pleasant, that it was repaired and enlarged by Andronicus himself, and that he encreased its Current by the River Hydrales. At the Spring-head, from whence this Aqueduct arose, he built a Tower and a Palace, where he used to divert himself in the Summer. He also brought the Water from the same River into the Blachernæ, which is a Part of the Suburbs. The Tower was ruined by Isacius his Successor, in pure Resentment to his Memory. We are told by Procopius, that Justinian repaired the Church of Achatius, when injured by Time; that he placed white Marble Pillars round it, and that he paved and incrusted the Sides of it with the same kind of Marble, so that the whole Building was beautifully white. There were two Portico’s adjoyning214 to the Church, one which opening to the Forum, is encompassed with Pillars. This Passage is not inserted in the printed Edition of Procopius, which induced me the more to take Notice of it here. Cedrinus writes, that the Church of St. Achatius stood in a Place called the Heptascalum; others say, that it stood in the Scala; but no body at present knows where that Place was. However, if any one hereafter should have the Curiosity to enquire where this Church stood, I would advise him to take along with him the following Direction. Let him enquire where the great House stands, which Historians call the Carya, because there stands in the Area of it a Nut Tree, upon which, they tell you, that Achatius was put to Death, and upon that Occasion, that a Church was built in Memory of him, which some think, was situate in the Neorium, because they have seen it in some Authors, that the Image of St. Achatius, made with Glass Stones, and inlay’d with Gold, was placed in the Church of the Neorium. But the Person of whom this is spoke was another Achatius, who, not only, as many Historians, but as Suidas the Grammarian tells us, was Bishop of Constantinople in the Time of Leo Marcellus, but a Man of so proud and haughty a Spirit, that he commanded many of his Pictures to be placed in Churches, while he was yet alive, from whence he was called Doxomanes. The House of Placidia, I have observed before, stood in the first Ward, so that it may be questioned, whether it ought to be read Domus Placidiæ, or Placillæ, or Placidæ; for Agathius takes Notice of the Palaces of Placidæ or Placidi, in the following Inscription.

215

The learned Agathius upon a Picture in the Palace of Placidia, set up by the Gentlemen of the LONG ROBE, or new Chancery.

Beyond the Rocks called Scironides, Dionysius mentions a long Shore in a Plain of the third Valley, and the fourth Hill, which is looked upon as a remarkable Place for Fishing; for ’tis a very deep and a very still Water, which was antiently call’d Cycla, because the Greeks had formerly hemm’d in there the Barbarians. There is also in the same Place, an Altar dedicated to Minerva Dissipatoria, which was erected in Memory of that Action. Beyond Cycla is a Creek called Melias, another famous Place for Fishing, which is enclosed with several Rocks, and a Ridge of the Promontory hanging over the Sea. There is no Creek in this Valley at present. Time has filled it up, as we learn from Strabo, who writes, that this Creek was called Ceras, because it had many Inlets into the Shore in the Form of a Deer’s Horn, but there’s scarce any Appearance of them at present. Zosimus, who wrote his History in the Reign of Arcadius and Honorius, tells us, that216 Constantinople was then so crowded with Inhabitants, that the Emperors did not only enlarge the Walls beyond those of Constantine, but that they built upon Timber Foundations over the Sea. This Method of Building, ’tis probable, very much contributed in Time to incumber and stop up these Inlets of the Creek. At the End of the Creek called Melias, is a Place which goes by the Name of Κῆπος, because ’tis very good Garden Ground. Beyond the Garden is a Place named Aspasius; but of this I have spoken in my Treatise of the Bosporus.

The End of the Third Book.

217

THE
ANTIQUITIES
OF
Constantinople.

BOOK IV.

Chap. I.

Of the Eleventh Ward, and of the Fourth and Fifth Hills.

I had been at a Loss to discover the eleventh Ward, (which, tho’ the ancient Description of the Wards mentions to have been wider in Compass than the Tenth, and in no Part of it bounded by the Sea; as also that it partly consisted218 of a Level, and partly of a rising Ground) unless the Author had subjoin’d, that it contain’d also the Church of the Apostles, And tho’ at present there’s nothing remaining of that Church, yet I was inform’d by some ancient People of Constantinople, who told me, that they remembred it stood upon the Back of the fourth Hill; which fell upon a Hill of the third Valley, near the Sadlers Shops, and the Sepulchre of Mahomet the Emperor. I observe from hence, that the eleventh Ward was Part on the Top of the same Hill, and Part on the North Side of it. I shall shew by what follows, that this Ward reach’d to the Land-Wall of the City, which divided the Eleventh, from the fourteenth Ward, and which was also itself divided from the City by an intermediate Space of Land. I shall convince the Reader presently, that this Ward was situate on the sixth Hill, without the Walls of the City, and was afterwards wall’d round by Theodosius the Less. The Walls built by Constantine are said to have reach’d as far as the Churches of St. Anthony, and St. Mary, who was call’d Rabdos, and from thence to have risen to a Land-Wall call’d Exacionion, which took its Name from hence, viz. That without the Land-Wall there stood a Pillar, on which was erected the Statue of Constantine the Great. Some modern Writers will have it, that he built a Church which he dedicated to the Holy Trinity in a Place call’d the Exacionion, now call’d the Church of the Apostles; for, if I am not mistaken, the Walls of Constantine were built upon the Borders of the fourth and fifth Hill, near the219 Exacionion, Cedrinus writes, that the Walls of the City, the beautiful Churches, the fine Houses seated in the Exacionion were thrown down by a dreadful Earthquake. They tell us in other Places, tho’ not consistently with themselves, that there were Portico’s which reach’d from the Miliarium to the Street call’d Taurus, and to the Gates of St. John the Baptist’s Church near the Hippodrom, which are more than a thousand Roman Paces distant from the Church of the Apostles, and as far from the Walls of the City which were built by Constantine, as may be gather’d from the following Passage of Sozomen. Theodosius, says this Author, leading his Army against Eugenius, went a Mile out of the City to the Church of St. John, which he had built in the Hepdomum. This Hepdomum was a Part of the Suburbs of the City, but is now enclos’d within the Walls, as will appear when I come to speak of it. If the Pillar from whence the Exacionion took its Name, was the same with that high Pillar which stood on the Top of the fifth Hill, and was seen not long since at a great Distance from the City, above all the Houses, we might easily discover, that the Walls built by Constantine did not reach beyond this Pillar, which stood about half a Mile’s distance from the Church of the Apostles. I saw this Pillar took to Pieces, and remov’d for building a Mosque, by Order of Solyman the Emperor. The Base, the Pedestal and the Foundation of it were of white Marble. The Foundation-Stone alone was so high, that I could not climb it without a Ladder. The Pedestal was four Foot and nine Digits high, and the220 Plinth one Foot, and six Digits. The Greeks and the Turks, each in their Dialect, call’d it the Pillar of the Virgin, which I take to be that celebrated by our modern Writers, which they say was erected upon a Hill, and supported the Statue of Venus, carv’d in Stone. When the Ancient Description of the Wards tells us, that the eleventh Ward is no Ways bounded by the Sea, it must be so understood as to mean, that the Plain situated between the Bay of Ceras, and the Foot of the fourth Hill, was not within the Walls, since the same Treatise mentions, that the City was six thousand one hundred and fifty Foot broad; that is, a Mile and two hundred and thirty Paces; for the Latitude of the Isthmus, which stretches itself over the fourth and seventh Hill, thro’ which the old Wall extended itself, exceeds the Breadth abovemention’d. But Zosimus, an ancient Historian, says, that Constantine the Great so wholly surrounded the City with a Wall, that it cut off the Isthmus from Sea to Sea. So that upon the whole, there is a Necessity to place the Plain, situate between the Bay, and the Bottom of the fourth Hill, in the tenth Ward.

221

Chap. II.

Of the Church of the Apostles, the Sepulchre of Constantine the Great, the Cistern of Arcadius and Modestus, of the Palace of Placilla, and the Brazen Bull.

’TIS attested by Eusebius, That Constantine the Great built the Church of the Apostles to a great Heighth, that he incrusted it with all Sorts of variegated Marble, which cast a beautiful Lustre from Top to Bottom; that he adorn’d it with small gilded Roofs, and cover’d it with Plates of Brass deeply gilt, which cast a blazing Reflexion to a great Distance. The upper Part of this venerable Structure, was curiously wrought all round it with Brass and Gold, and was enlightned with Abundance of Lattices and Windows. Round the Church there was a fine Court lying open to the Air. The Portico’s which enclos’d it, stood in a Quadrangular Manner. Near the Portico’s stood the Palace, the Bagnio’s, the Cloysters, and many other Houses and Buildings belonging to the Ecclesiasticks, and other Ministers of the Church. These bountiful Benefactions has the pious Emperor handed down to Posterity in Memory of the Apostles of the blessed Saviour of Mankind, to whom also he consecrated twelve Purses of Gold. The Coffin222 in which he intended to be buried after he was dead, was plac’d by his Order in the Body of the Church, and guarded with the twelve Apostles in Effigy. ’Tis added by Socrates, that the Body of Constantine lying in a golden Coffin, was brought into the City by his intimate Friends, and buried in the Church of the Apostles. I am inclin’d to believe, that Zonaras never read Eusebius, when he tells us, that ’twas buried in the Cloyster of the Church of the Apostles, which, he says, was built by Constantius for the Interrment of his Father. Near the broad Way which stretches itself along the Top of the Promontory, from the Church of St. Sophia, to the Gate of Adrianople, (hard by the Place where stood the Church of the Apostles,) there is shewn to this Day, a Coffin made of Porphyry Marble, empty; and without a Cover, ten Foot long, and five Foot and a half broad, which the Greeks and Turks say, was the Coffin of Constantine the Great; but I cannot vouch for the Truth of it: Yet the Authorities of Socrates and Eusebius seem to be somewhat doubtful, who tell us, that he was buried in a golden Coffin, unless perhaps the golden Coffin was inclos’d in that of the Porphyry Marble. Zonaras is of Opinion, that Theodora, the Wife of Justinian, built the Church of the Apostles; and adds, that there was anciently in the same Place a Church of the Apostles, but much Inferior in Beauty and Magnificence to that which stands at present, on the same Ground. Procopius says, that there had been for some Ages, a Church at Constantinople which was much impair’d by Time, and likely to fall,223 which Justinian order’d to be taken down, rebuilt, and enlarg’d, and made in the Figure of a Cross, the Body of the Church pointing East, and West, and the Part crossing it, North, and South. This Church is well wall’d, and adorn’d within with Ranges of Pillars standing one above another: Evagrius therefore seems to be mistaken, in attributing the Building of this Church to Justinian, when it is evident it was built by Constantine the Great; and Procopius too grosly flatters Justinian in ascribing to him the Building of many fine Structures, whereas, in reality, he only repair’d them when they were old, or rebuilt them when fall’n too much to decay, or destroy’d by Fire. There’s nothing remaining of this Church at present, no, not even of its Foundation. You see only the Ruines of an old Cistern, which supply’d the Church, and the Clergy with Water. There are now standing upon the same Spot of Ground about two hundred Sadlers Shops, and Work-houses, where they make and sell not only all kinds of Horse-Geer, but also Leathern Bucketts, Quivers, and Trunks. A little above this Cistern, stands a Mosque, with a Caravansera adjoining to it, situate on a Plain, which was built with square Stone, after the Form of the Church of St. Sophia, out of the Ruins and Sacrilege of the Church of the Apostles, and other Christian Churches by Mahomet, who took the City. The Roof is of a Semicircular Figure, made of Brick-Work, and cover’d with Lead, as are all the publick Buildings of the Turks. ’Tis beautify’d with a very elegant square Porch as broad as the Church itself, pav’d with the finest224 Marble, and adorn’d with square Portico’s. The Arches of them, which bear up the Roof, are supported with very large Pillars of Marble, curiously variegated. In the Middle of it is a Fountain with nine Pipes, whose Waters fall into a great Bason. Round the Mosque is a spacious Court, Part of which is enclos’d with Walls, and Part with long kind of Houses, some of which are inhabited by their Priests, and School-Masters. In the Eastern Part of this Court there’s a Garden, in the Middle of which stands the Sepulchre of Mahomet, built in a Cylindric Form of the whitest Marble. ’Tis covered with Lead, lighted with Windows, and has a Door of Entrance into it. In the Middle of this Structure is the Coffin of Mahomet, cover’d with Velvet, placed on the Ground on a rich Carpet. The Ground is wholly covered with the most costly Carpets, where the Priests continually sit, and guard the Body Night and Day. A little without the Court are several large Caravansera’s, built also with square Stone, which have Court-yards in the Middle of them, and Portico’s surrounded with Marble Pillars. These Caravansera’s have large Gardens adjoyning to them. In short, this Mosque, with the adjacent Buildings round the Court, with the Caravansera’s and Gardens, take up a Space of Ground six Furlongs in Compass. Mahomet, the same Emperor, built in this Place, where had formerly been the Old Cistern of Arcadius, or Modestus, the largest Bagnio’s in all the City. These Baths were of two Kinds, some for Men, and some for Women. They adjoin to each other, but have225 different Entries without any Passage out of one into the other. I shall only describe the Mens Baths; because the Womens are like them. The first Place you enter is the Room where they undress. From hence you pass into the hot, and from thence into the cold Bath. They all stand in one Range, and are only separated by Walls from each other. The Room where they undress is a square Structure, built of square Stone up to the Roof, which is arch’d and built with Brick; the Inside of which, measuring two hundred and fifty eight Foot in compass, is surrounded with an Ascent of Stone, above six Foot broad, and three Foot high. The Wall of this Room, from the Pavement to the Bottom of the arch’d Roof is thirty seven Foot high. In the Middle of the Floor, which is pav’d with Marble, there’s a large Marble Bason, which is thirty seven Foot in compass, and three Foot deep, which is always supply’d from a Fountain of Spring Water. There are two Doors out of the stripping Room into the hot Bath. This Apartment is a hundred Foot in compass in the Inside of it, and is supported with four Arches, which bear up a Dome at the Top. It contains eight Cells or bathing Rooms; one of which, not above half so large as the rest, has some Privies behind it, which are cleans’d by an Efflux of all the Waters which are turn’d out of the Bath. Six of these Cells have, each of them, a bathing Cistern, and are built in such a Manner, that two of these Arches hang each of them over one bathing Room; from whence you may pass, on the Right and on the Left, into another. The Cells under the other226 two Arches are so form’d, that that Arch which is nearest the Doors which lead out of the stripping Room into the hot Bath, hangs over a very large bathing Room. ’Tis pav’d with Marble, and the Turks wash their Linen in this Place. A plain Wall arch’d at top parts the hot from the cold Bath. In the Middle of the hot Bath there is a Bason with a Fountain playing. There is but one Door which leads out of the hot into the cold Bath. This Apartment has eight Arches which support its Dome, and contains eight bathing Places, which project beyond the Sphere of its Dome, and encircle the whole Bagnio, which is about ninety Foot in compass. The whole Pavement of it is lay’d with Marble, and in the Middle of it is built an Ascent in the Form of an Octagon, which is fifty seven Foot, and nine Inches in Circumference, and two Foot and four Digits high. Round the Octagon there runs a Channel of Water, which is of the same Depth with the Height of the Octagon. The four inward bathing Rooms are situate in four Angles, and are each of them every Way eleven Foot and three Digits broad, and these are call’d the Hot-Houses or Sweating-Bagnio’s. The Dimension of the two Bathing Rooms, which are situate without the two Arches, is the same. The other six Bathing Rooms are of a Semicircular Figure, and stand under six Arches within the Circle of the Dome of the hot Bath. At the Bottom of the Pillars which support the Arches, they are eleven Foot in length, and five Foot nine Inches in breadth. Every one of these Bathing Rooms has a Marble Cistern wherein they bath; and in227 one of them above the rest, there is erected a stately Marble Throne. There are no Lights in the Walls either of the hot or cold Baths, tho’ the Domes of them are wholly illuminated with Glass-Windows. The Stoke-Hole, which is two Foot and a half in compass, and of the same height, is built without the Baths. They keep a constant Fire in it, which heats a Brazen Vessel, whence it emits its warm Steams thro’ Pipes laid in a strait, and an oblique Manner, by that means heating the Bottom of the Cisterns in which they bath. There is a Rivulet in a Field of the Suburbs, about six Foot in breadth, which runs near the Stoke-Hole. There are Pipes laid in this Brook, which convey the Water thro’ the Walls of these Baths into all Parts of them. One of these Pipes which passes thro’ a heated Earthen Vessel, upon turning a Cock, supplies the Cisterns with hot Water; the other Pipe which rises higher, upon the turning of an other Cock, tempers the hot Water according to the Pleasure of the Person who baths in it. But I shall treat of the Use of Bathing, and the Way of building Bagnio’s among the Turks in another Place. I return now to the eleventh Ward, which Procopius takes Notice of, when he tells us, that Theodora the Consort of Justinian address’d herself to him in the following Manner: We have, may it please your Imperial Majesty, other Palaces still remaining, which are call’d the Palaces of Helena, as we have also those of Placilla, the Wife of Theodosius the Great. For as Justinus honour’d his Empress with several noble Palaces, which, after her own Name, were call’d the Palaces of Sophia,228 so it is highly probable that Theodosius did Placilla the same Honour in building a Palace for her, which was call’d the Palace of Placilla. I am induc’d to believe this, because he passionately lov’d her, and by Reason of that strong Resentment he bore to the People of Antioch, whom he subjected to the Dominion of the Laodenses, for demolishing the Statues of Placilla, plac’d in his own Forum, because he lay’d an additional Tribute upon them. This Palace may not improperly be call’d also the Palace of Flacilla, of whom Claudian speaks in the following Lines:

The Brazen Bull was plac’d in the eleventh Ward. In what Part of that Ward it was plac’d might easily be conjectur’d from a large Cistern, which, the modern Historians write, was built near it by Nicetas an Eunuch, in the Reign of the Emperor Theophilus, if that Cistern was now in being. If the Bull itself was remaining, or the Forum where it stood, I had heard something229 of it. Tzetzes in his History writes, that the Forum Bovis was so call’d from the Brazen Bull. This Bull is more particularly describ’d by Zonaras, who says, that the Body of the unhappy Tyrant Phocas was burnt at a Place call’d Bos, where there was a Stove, or Fire-Place set up in the Form of a Bull, which was brought from Troy. Cedrinus relates, that Antypas the Martyr was burnt to Death in this Bull. It is a plain Instance of the Cruelty and Tyranny of some of the Emperors of Constantinople, that they us’d to punish Malefactors with a Death so tormenting. The like Example of Barbarity we have in Perillus, or rather Perilaus, a Brazier of Attica, who made a Brazen Bull for the Execution of Phalaris, but first suffer’d in it himself. This Piece of Workmanship, says Pliny, was preserv’d a long Time, that those, who saw it, might curse the Hand that made it. I am more inclin’d to believe, that this Bull was brought from Sicily, or Italy. I enquir’d after it, but could hear nothing of it, altho’ the Inhabitants are not ignorant, that there was formerly such a Bull at Constantinople, and are us’d to boast of a Prophecy, which has been handed down to them from their Ancestors, concerning such a Bull, and lastly, altho’ they believe their own Interpretation of it to be more agreeable to Truth than that of Tzetzes, who explain’d it above three hundred and seventy Years ago in the following Manner. There was a mighty Talk of a Prophecy at Constantinople some Time ago, which run in these Words: Βοῦς βοήσει τε, καὶ Ταῦρος δὲ θρηνήσει, Bos mugiet, Taurus lugebit. The People conjectur’d from hence,230 says he, that great Calamities should befall the City, that they should be perplex’d with amazing Fears, that an innumerable Army of Germans, and other Nations, should come against the Town; and that they should be all terrify’d and affrighted with strange Dreams, by Reason of the Plundering and Destruction of their City. Upon which, the Wife of the Grand Hetæriarch being in great Consternation, and her Fears and Fancies being encreas’d by some fabulous Verses made upon the Occasion, she imagin’d she dream’d of all that had been the Town-Talk for some Time before. She dream’d that Constantinople was wall’d round with Brick, that near the Forum Bovis, or the Place call’d Bos, she saw infinite Numbers of arm’d Forces drawn up in Battle array, and that hard by the Street call’d Taurus, she saw a Man in a melancholly Posture expressing his Grief in a mournful Tone, and beating his Breast. The credulous Woman believing the Destruction of the City was at hand, told her Dream to Tzetzes, who thus interpreted it: The Brick Walls, says he, which you saw denote great Plenty of Provision to Constantinople. You are sensible, Gentlemen, says he, (speaking to those who stood by him) how wonderfully that Part of the Prophecy was accomplish’d at that Time. As to that Clause of it, which mentions that abundance of armed Forces shall stand round the Bull, and that a Man in a disconsolate and forlorn Condition shall sit down by the Bull, which is principally intended by the Prophecy, tho’ not yet fulfill’d; this may prove beneficial, and advantageous to every Citizen of us. Therefore hear, O231 Constantinople, and tell it to others, that this is the Interpretation of Tzetzes. The same Word, which among us Greeks signifies a Bull, signifies also a Cow, and sometimes a Heifer, and by the Word Taurus or Bull, the Latins call the Italian Bull. Our Cow therefore, which is the famous City of Constantine, and which was built by the Roman Bulls of Italy, full of Arms, abounding with Forces, and Plenty of Provision, shall sound an Alarm against our Enemies; and the Italian Bull, which is the Army of the Latins, shall look Pale with Fear, and mourn. Tzetzes, without Question, was a very learned Man, and this Interpretation of the Prophecy was cunning enough; besides that it was a fine Compliment to the Empress, and at the same Time the Historian pleas’d his own Humour in it, in interpreting the Prophecy according to his own Wishes. See how ingenious is the Weakness of Man to impose upon himself! But at that Time there was another Interpretation of this Prophecy, which, in the Event, was much more agreeable to Truth, tho’ Tzetzes took a great deal of Pains to confute, and expose it; and it was the general Opinion of the People of Constantinople, that the Army of the Latins would besiege their City, as it happen’d a little Time after, ravaging, burning, destroying every where; throwing some of the Ring-leaders of an arbitrary Party from the Top of Theodosius’s Pillar into the Street call’d Taurus, and burning others to Death in the Brazen Bull. The same Author is no less mistaken in the Interpretation of another Prophecy, which is as follows: Wo be to thee, O Constantinople, seated232 on seven Hills, thou shalt not continue a thousand Years. His Explanation of it is this: Altho’ it be not thy Fate, O Constantinople, to endure a thousand Years, but to be totally demolish’d, yet this ought to be no Occasion of Grief to thee, but the Cause of Joy; for thou shalt rise again from thy Ruines more beautiful, and more enlarg’d. For thou shalt be destroyed, ev’n to the Advantage of those who shall destroy thee. This Interpretation is a downright Flattery of the principal Leaders of the several Factions (or Companies of Charioteers) when they were struggling for the Government. But take this Interpretation which Way you will, it seems to be a very wild one. For whether the City was demolish’d by its own Inhabitants, or any foreign Power, it could neither Way be any reasonable Cause of Joy to them. This Prediction of the Oracle was seconded by another Prediction of the Astronomers to the same Purpose. Some Historians have attested, as ’tis confirm’d by Suidas, that Constantine the Great, after he had finish’d the City, sent for one Valens an Astronomer of great Skill, and commanded him to enquire what Star had the Ascendant at the Birth of the City, and by that means inform him of the Duration of it. Valens predicted that the City would continue six hundred and ninety Years; but that Time is past and gone. Therefore, says Zonaras, I must conclude, that this Prophecy of Valens was erroneous, and that there’s little Dependance to be had upon the Rules of Astronomy, or otherwise that Valens only meant the Time of her Prosperity, when the Laws of Polity were strictly obey’d, when the publick233 Peace was preserv’d, when their Senate was in high Estimation among the People, when the Empire flourish’d and was under a regular Administration, and there was no such Thing as Tyranny, and Arbitrary Power among them. But to finish the Oracular Predictions concerning this City, I come now to Zosimus, a very ancient Historian, if compar’d with Tzetzes, and Zonaras. This Author writes, that Constantinople was arriv’d to such a State of Grandeur, and Magnificence, that no City in the World was to be compar’d with it, in point of Greatness, or Prosperity. And yet, as he proceeds, when after a long Search I could find no divine Oracle, or Prophecy presignifying any Increase of Happiness to Constantinople, I at last accidentally, having read many Historians, and other Authors for that Purpose, met with an Oracular Prediction of a Sibyl, nam’d Erythræa Phaelles, or Phaenno of Epirus. This Woman, they tell you, being inspir’d, utter’d Oracles, to which Nicomedes, the Son of Prussias, conforming himself, especially in such Predictions as might be some Advantage to himself, enter’d into a War with his Father. The Oracle runs thus:

This Oracle or Prophecy, says Zosimus, truly fore-tells, tho’ in an Ænigmatical Manner, all the Calamities which would befall the Bythinians, by Reason of an excessive Tribute which had been demanded of them, and presignifies also their speedy Subjection to the Empire of Constantinople. And tho’ this did not happen till a long Time after, yet let no Man from thence infer, that the Time of the Accomplishment of the Prediction was expired before it came to pass. For all Time is but for a Moment with God, who is eternal. This Interpretation of the Oracle, says the Historian, I observed to be true, by comparing the Event of Things with the Words of the Prophecy; and adds, that if any other Interpretation seems more agreeable, any one is at his own Liberty to follow it. And to confirm the more this Explication of it, he tells us, how Constantine the235 Great and his Sons, oppress’d not only Bithynia, but the whole World with severe Exactions, so that whole Cities, unable to pay the Levies, remained desolate. The learned Tzetzes before-mentioned, explains this Oracle in another Manner, and says, that it was delivered by Phaenno. This Sybil, says he, was long ago famous for her Oracles, and foretold same Things many Ages since, which were accomplished but a little before the Times we live in; as the Conquest of Persia over the Empire, the Slavery and Subjection of the Emperor to them, his Dethronement by his People and Nobles, the Wars of the Scythians with the Eastern Empire, by whom she seems to mean the Turks. Thus far Zosimus. This Oracle, tho’ it be very antient, yet, amidst the present Ruins of Constantinople, it never appeared so manifest as now.

But to proceed in my Narration of other Monuments of Antiquity; On the Brow of the fourth Hill, which lies Eastward, you see a Church built to the Honour of Almighty God, which has been much celebrated in the Writings of modern Historians. The Walls of it within side are incrusted with several Kinds of Marble: It has two Porches or Vestibules, many lesser Cupola’s covered with Lead, the largest of which is supported with four Pillars of red Marble variegated, each of which Pillars measures seven Foot in Circumference. There’s another Cupola which bears upon four Arches, which are supported with four Pillars of Thebaic Marble. On the South Side of the fourth Hill there is erected a Pillar, which nearly resembles that, which was lately, as I observed, standing in the Exacionion,236 but is now removed into the Precinct of the Seraglio. Round the Basis of it there runs a Wreath of Laurel-work, and the Standard of the Cross, curiously cut in Basso Relievo. At the Foot of the fifth Hill is a double Wall, which encloses a Street now called Phanarium, because as the Inhabitants tell you, when the City was formerly besieged, it was built in the Space of one Night by Candle-light. I am induced from the Authority of Dionysius to believe, that Mellacopsas stood near this Street; the Reason why it was so called I have shewn in my Treatise of the Bosporus. On the Top of the fifth Hill stands the Palace of Selimus the Grand Signor, with a Caravansera, and his Tomb. Near it is a very large Cistern, in a pleasant Meadow, which is despoiled of its Roof and Pillars.

Chap. III.

Of the Sixth Hill, and the Fourteenth Ward.

THE Author of the Description of the Wards relates, that the fourteenth Ward, though it is looked upon as a Part of the City, yet because it is divided from the other Wards by an intermediate Space of Land, and enclosed with its own Walls, makes the Figure of a small City by it self; and adds, among other Particularities, that the Entrance of it, at the Gate, is somewhat upon the Level; but the right Side of it, rising into237 an Ascent, almost to the Middle of the broad Way, falls into a deep Ascent, and contains a Church, the Palace, &c. It is very probable, one would think, or at least it looks to be so, that any one who had never seen Constantinople, could learn from this Description in what Part of the City stood the fourteenth Ward. But since, nothing of the antient Buildings are remaining there at present, no not so much as the Bridge, or the very Channel of the River; there is some Room for Enquiry, where was the Place of its Situation. For I am entirely ignorant of the Gate whence its Entrance begins, which is somewhat upon the Level. It is possible that I might also discover the Situation of it, if I knew where the right Side of the Ward was, which rose into an Ascent. ’Tis plain that this Ward did not stand on the fifth Hill from hence, that the Author tells us, that it was divided from other Wards by some intermediate Space. Had this Ward been divided from other Wards by a small Tract of Land only, it had been very injudicious in the Inhabitants to have enclosed it with a Wall by it self, when it stood so near the Walls of the City. I would observe farther, that ’tis inconceivable that there could be any Bridge on the fifth, sixth, or seventh Hills of the City, or without the Walls of the City; nor is there any Valley running between the fifth or the third Hill, where there’s any Bridge, or any Water, unless it can be imagined that it had any small Creek, which is now filled up, with a Bridge over it. If it could be supposed that there formerly stood any Bridge beyond the sixth Hill, in the Street called238 Avasarius, we could conclude it to be no other than what was built over the Bay of Ceras, near which are still seen the Piles of a Bridge. And in all Probability the sixth Hill was wholly inhabited, by Reason of the Nearness and Goodness of its Roads from Thrace. This is the more probable, if it be considered, that the Suburbs called the Hepdomum, were seated on the sixth Hill, which excited Theodosius the Less, by Reason of its Nearness to Constantinople to enlarge the Walls of the City.

Chap. IV.

Of the Hepdomum, a Part of the Suburbs; of the Triclinium of Magnaura; of the Cyclobion; of the Statue of Mauritius, and his Armory; and of the Place called the Cynegium.

THE Suburbs, call’d the Hepdomum, stood upon the third Hill, which is now enclosed within the Walls of the City. This is plain from the Situation of the Church of St. John Baptist, whom, even at this Time, the Greeks call the Πρόδρομος, or Fore-runner of our Saviour. This Church is seated on the Eastern Side of the City. ’Tis almost entirely demolished by the Mahometans, and nothing of it remains but a few Marble Pillars, expecting the last Effort of their Sacrilege. This was a costly and239 magnificent Building, as appears, among other Tokens, from the Cistern of Bonus, which was built by a Nobleman of that Name, and seated a little above it. It was three hundred Paces long; its Roof and Columns are entirely ruined, and its Situation at present is turned into a Garden. Sozomen says, that Theodosius the Great brought over the Head of St. John Baptist, from a Village call’d Coslaus, near Pantichium, in Chalcedon, and placed it before Constantinople in the Hepdomum, and there built a large and handsome Church to the Honour of God. The same Author attests, that Theodosius, when he marched his Army against Eugenius, as soon as he came out of the City, offered his Prayers to God, in St. John Baptist’s Church, which he had built in the Hepdomum. Procopius pays too great a Compliment to Justinian, when he reports him to have built this Church in the forementioned Suburbs. Zonaras tells us, that in the Reign of Constantine surnamed Pogonatus, the Hagarens besieged the City with a numerous Fleet, which extended itself from the Promontory situated in the Hepdomum Westward, as far as the Cyclobion. Other Historians mention the same Thing; namely, that they had their Station from the said Promontory, or the Triclinium of Magnaura, as far Easterly as the Palace call’d Cyclobion. From which Passage I would observe by the By, that Magnaura was a Place in the Hepdomum. Cedrinus asserts, that Philip of Macedon, built there a round Solar, and placed in the Court of it his own Statue, and built an Armory there. Others write, that Mauritius the Emperor built the Triclinium240 of Magnaura, and that he erected his Statue, and built the Armory there. Over the Triclinium are inscribed these Verses;

Upon the Triclinium of Magnaura.

The Cistern of Magnaura, which stood near the Palace, was demolished by Heraclius; and, as Cedrinus relates, was afterwards cleansed, and rebuilt by Order of Philip, King of Macedon. Some attest, if not consistently with Truth, yet more appositely, that the Emperor Anastasius, when he was expiring at that Place, by a terrible Storm of Wind, Lightning and Thunder, cried out with a loud Voice; Magnâ perimus aurâ. Pulcheria the Sister of Theodosius the Less, being removed from the Administration of the Government, retired into the Hepdomum, and lived privately. Zonaras relates, that Nicephorus the Emperor, surnamed Phocas, as he came near to the City, was received by the Prasine Faction, with great Acclamations, and that he was crowned Emperor in the Hepdomum by the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Reason why those Suburbs are called the Hepdomum, is taken from the Number Seven, which was formerly the Number of them. They retained their antient Names, even after they were inclosed within the City. Procopius has it, that Justinian, in that Ward, which ought to be called241 the Second, built a Church to St. Anne. An unknown Writer of the Empire of Constantinople gives a Reason why it may be called the Second. In the Place, says he, called the Second, there stood the Statue of Justinian Rhinometus. Bardus Cæsar Michael, the Grandfather of Theophilus, demolished and broke it to Pieces. This Place is called the Second, because when Justinian was banished by Leo the Patrician to Cherso, after he had continued there ten Years, he applied himself to Terbelus, King of the Bulgarians, whose Daughter Theodora he married. The King gave him an Army, which he marched against Constantinople to recover his Empire. But the Inhabitants denying him Entrance, he privately stole into the City through the Passage of an Aqueduct to a Place where was still remaining the Foundation of a Pillar he had set up, and which his Adversary had destroyed. Having recovered his Dominions a second Time, he erected there a second Pillar, and built in the same Place a Church, which was dedicated to St. Anne. But, as I observed a little before, Procopius relates, that Justinian built this Church in the second Ward, where, I am of Opinion, before the Reign of Theodosius the Less, who built the Walls of the City, stood the Suburbs of the seventh Hill, that is, according to Cedrinus and others, in the twelfth Ward. There were, say these Writers, most dreadful Earthquakes, which overturned the Wall of the City in the Exacionion, and levell’d many beautiful Houses and magnificent Churches in the Porta Aurea of the City; and add that in the second Ward, the Shock was felt as far as St. Anne’s242 Church. I mentioned this Observation to many of mine Acquaintance, lest any one should imagine that the δεύτερον χώριον was one of the fourteen Wards mentioned in the Treatise, entitled, an Antient Description of Constantinople. I am surprized that Procopius, who was so exact in describing so many Buildings of the City, never mentions them, since they are taken Notice of by Justinian in his Constitutions. There’s a Church situate on the seventh Hill, between the Palace of Constantine, and the Adrianopolitan Gate, which though for many Ages it stood within the Walls, yet on three Sides of it, it formerly stood without the Walls of the City, as it was customary to build the Greek Churches. There’s a Portico runs round it. The Walls of it within are incrusted with square Pieces of several Kinds of Marble, the Fissures of which are covered from Top to Bottom with Modules of Astragals, some of which are adorned with Berries, and others are work’d round without them. Above these Incrustations rise three Fasciæ, and three Ornaments resembling an Astragal, two of which are round, and the uppermost of them is of a square Figure. Higher yet are three Fasciæ, above these are the Dentils, and over the Dentils, a Corinthian Foliage. It will evidently appear from what I shall mention hereafter, that the Suburbs called the Hepdomum, were in the fourteenth Ward of the City, where also stood a Palace. There remains at present, out of many antient Palaces, not so much as the Name of one of them, except that seated on the seventh Hill, which is called the Palace of243 Constantine, besides a few Pillars, and a Cistern in which the Grand Signor’s Elephants are stabled. In the Plain upon the Shore, situate at the Foot of the sixth Hill Eastward, is the Palatine Gate called Cynegion. Without the Gate is a fine Growth of Plane-Trees. Near the Gate, within the Wall, were formerly three large Arches, now fill’d up, through which the Inhabitants used to sail their Three-oar’d Galleys, into a Creek built within the City for the Conveniency of the neighbouring Palace. This Creek is now entirely ruin’d, and turn’d into a Garden. The Cynegion, according to modern Writers, is a Place of some Note, so that even Suidas himself thought it not impertinent to insert in his Lexicon the following Story. Criminals, says he, condemned to dye were thrown into the Cynegion, which was adorned with some Statues. Theodorus, the Town-Clerk, going thither with Imerius Keeper of the Records, saw a short, but a very thick Statue. Look upon the Man, says Imerius, meaning himself, who built the Cynegion. I returned in Answer, that Maximinus built it, and that Aristides measured out the Ground; when immediately one of its Pillars fell, which crushed Imerius to Pieces, so that he died on the Spot. Being terrified at the Sight, I hastened to the Church, where I told what had happened. I attested the Fact with an Oath to those who questioned the Relation. Some of the Emperor’s Domesticks and Servants, when their Attendance was over, walked with me to the Place. Being surprized at the Death of Imerius, and the Fall of the Pillar, a certain Philosopher named Johannes, told ’em, that he had discovered from a small Animal, that a Man244 of some Note should dye. Philip of Macedon believing him, ordered the little Creature to be bury’d in the Place, where this Accident happened. Justinus the Third commanded Tiberius and Leontius, after they had reign’d three Years, to have their Chains taken off, ty’d Body to Body, dragged thro’ the Forum and the Theatre by Horses; and after he had trampled upon the Necks of them, he ordered them to be slain in the Cynegion, in the Sight of the People. I look upon this Theatre to be that which was called Theatrum Venatorium. For as there was such a Theatre at Rome, so there was at Constantinople. For Procopius reports, that the Theatres, Hippodroms, and the Cynegia, were greatly neglected, and fell to Ruine, thro’ the Avarice of Justinian.

Chap. V.

Of the Blachernæ, the Triclinium of the Blachernæ, the Palace, the Aqueduct and many other Places of Antiquity.

THE Author of the Book entitled, The antient Description of the Wards attests, that there stood in the fourteenth Ward, a Church, but does not name it; nor does he take Notice of the Blachernæ, although it was called so before the taking of Constantinople by Severus, as I shall immediately make appear. The Blachernæ stood without the Walls, not only in the Time when245 that Book was wrote, but even in the Reign of Justinian, who, as Procopius writes, built a Church, which he dedicated to the Virgin Mary, before the Walls of the City, in a Place called the Blachernæ. The Spectator, says he, when he enters this Church, will admire its large and bulky Building, yet secure from the Danger of falling by the Strength of its Foundation. You may behold in it, adds he, a stately Magnificence, without any Mixture of Gaiety, and too much Embellishment. ’Tis my Opinion, that Justinian only repaired this Church: For Zonaras reports, that Pulcheria, the Wife of Marcian, built a Church in the Blachernæ, and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary. Pomponius Lætus tells us, that this Church was built by Theodosius. Cedrinus writes, that Justin the Nephew of Justinian, added two Arches to the Church in the Blachernæ. So that ’tis plain from what Procopius has wrote upon this Occasion, that the Blachernæ stood without the Walls of the City, as it is no less evident from the Testimony of Agathius. When the barbarous Nations, says he, approached Constantinople, by the Permission of Justinian, all the Churches situate without the Walls, from the Blachernæ to the Black-Sea, were stripp’d of their Armaments, which were kept within the City. There is at present to be seen, near the Gate called Xylon, and the Western Angle of the City, between the Foot of the sixth Hill, and the turning of a Mosque, situate within the City, (which the People say was dedicated to the Virgin Mary) a Spring now running, which the Greeks tell us was consecrated to her. The Place, where the Spring is, is call’d the Blachernæ. Upon246 my first coming to Constantinople, some Remains of it were to be seen, but now there nothing appears even of its Ruines. From the Bottom of the sixth Hill, which rises above the Church in the Blachernæ, there shoots an Aqueduct with two Pipes; one of which is stopp’d with a Cock, and the other flows in a constant Stream. I took Notice before, that Andronicus the Emperor brought this Aqueduct from the River Hydrales, into the Ward of the Blachernæ, where there was no River Water till his Time. The Emperor Anastasius built the great Triclinium in the Blachernæ, which went under his Name, even in the Time of Suidas. Zonaras, and others assure us, that the Emperor Tiberius built the publick Bath in the Blachernæ. ’Tis certain from some modern Histories, that there was in the Time of Zonaras, even down to the Reign of Manuel the Emperor, an Imperial Palace in that Place. The Reason why ’tis called the Blachernæ, is mentioned by Dionysius a Byzantian, in his Navigation of the Bosporus, from whom I shall just touch upon some Places described by him, which reach from the Foot of the fifth Hill, to the furthermost Angle of the City, and the sixth Hill. Beyond Mellacopsas, says he, (this, I took Notice of before, was at the Foot of the fifth Hill) there are two Places which afford good Sport in Fishing, all the Year. One upon the Shallows under the Promontories, the other under the deep hollow Shores which are never ruffled by the Wind. The first of these is called Indigenas, from some great Man who was a Native there; the other Pyracius, from Pyræus, a Port of Athens;247 or as some believe, from some antient Inhabitant. There’s a Place between them called Cittos, from the great Plenty of Ivy it produces. There is also a steep Place called Camara, which adjoins that of Pyracius. ’Tis much exposed to the Wind, and therefore often feels the Roughness of the Sea. Thence, up higher, stands Thalassa, which is the Boundary of the Ceratine Bay, where the Rivers begin to flow into it. ’Tis thus called, either by Reason of their Nearness to the Sea, whose Salt Waters they mingle with their Freshness, or because it stands steddy, and more out of the Wind; or rather, because the constant Influx of the Rivers into it, brings down daily a muddy Substance into the Sea, which very much thickens it; though it serves for Nourishment to the Multitudes of Fish with which it abounds. The first Place that stands upon this calm Sea is called Polyrrhetius, from a Man named Polyrrhetus: The next is Vateiascopia, so called from the deep Sea that is about it; a third is the Blachernæ, which is a barbarous Word; and the last Place is the Marshes.

248

Chap. VI.

Of the Bridge near the Church of St. Mamas; of his Hippodrom; of the Brazen Lyon, and the Sepulchre of the Emperor Mauritius.

NOT only some Historians, but also Suidas the Grammarian, have handed it down to us, that near the Church of St. Mamas, there stood a Bridge, which had twelve Arches; for there was a great Floud of Waters at that Place. There was also set up at the same Place a brazen Dragon; because ’twas reported that a Serpent had some Time liv’d there, which had deflour’d many Virgins. This Story was occasion’d by the Name of a Man, who was call’d Basiliscus, one of Numerianus Cæsar’s Life-Guard, who liv’d there, and built a Church, which Zeno afterwards pull’d down. Constantine, call’d Iconomachus, because he was a profess’d Enemy to Images, order’d one Andreas a Statuary, a Man of some Note in the Blachernæ, to be whipt to Death in the Hippodrom of St. Mamas. Zonaras tells us, that Mauritius the Emperor was buried in the Church of St. Mamas, which was built by Pharasmenes, an Eunuch, and Gentleman of the Bed-chamber to Justinian. Cedrinus writes, that the Church of St. Mamas stood near the Gate call’d Xylocercon. Others report, That Crunna,249 King of the Bulgarians, surrounded Constantinople with an Army from the Blachernæ to the Porta Aurea, and distrusting the Strength of his Forces to take the Town, he hasten’d to this Church, set Fire to a Palace that was near it, and that upon his Retreat, he carry’d off a Brazen Lyon plac’d in the Hippodrom, a Bear, a Dragon, and some curious Pieces of Marble. Sozomen speaking of those Persons who were banish’d on St. Chrysostom’s Account, says, that when they were got without the Walls they met in a Place situate before the City, which Constantine order’d to be cleans’d, to be pal’d round, and made it into a Hippodrom. This, I take it, was the Place which was afterwards call’d the Hippodrom of St. Mamas. Zonaras adds upon this Occasion, that Leo the Emperor, scar’d by a Fire, which then rag’d in the City, flew to the Church of St. Mamas, and continu’d there for some Time. Cedrinus mentions, that the Emperor diverted himself with Horse-racing, near the Church of St. Mamas the Martyr, situate in the Stenon. ’Tis plain from the Authorities abovemention’d, that this Church was seated in the Blachernæ, and that there was a Bridge there, as is farther confirm’d by Johannes Tzetzes in his Variâ Historiâ, where he says, that the Sea extending itself from the Streights of Abydus, to the Bridge of the Blachernæ, is call’d the Hellespont. ’Tis also evident, that this Bridge stood, where the Stone Piles of the old Bridge (when the Water is low, as ’tis in Summer) are seen at present, and stand between the Suburbs call’d the Blachernæ, and the Suburbs, which the Turks call the Aibasarium. This, I250 am confident, is the same Bridge which the ancient Treatise of the Wards of the City, calls the Wooden Bridge, and places it in the fourteenth Ward, in which, as I observ’d, was the Suburbs call’d the Hepdomum. I desire the Reader to remark one Thing from Suidas, that St. Mamas Bridge had either twelve Stone Arches, or else, that he was writing of another Church of St. Mamas, situate in another Place.

Chap. VII.

Of the seventh Hill, the twelfth Ward, and of the Pillar of Arcadius.

I Take it for granted, from the Situation of the Pillar of Arcadius, now standing on the seventh Hill, call’d the Xerolophon, (which is divided from the other six Hills by a broad Valley,) that That is the twelfth Ward, which lies a great Way upon the Level, from the Entrance of the City at the Porta Aurea, and is lengthen’d, on the Left Side of it, by a gentle Descent, and bounded by the Sea. It contain’d the Porta Aurea, the Trojan Portico’s, the Forum, and Haven of Theodosius, and a Pillar with winding Steps in the Inside, built in the Xerolophon by Arcadius. The Hill still preserves the same Name. Upon this Pillar the Emperor plac’d his Statue, which was thrown down, in the Reign of Leo Conon by an Earthquake, which shook the whole City, overturn’d251 many Churches and Houses, and buried Multitudes of People under it. Cedrinus assures us, that this Pillar was in all respects like that of Theodosius erected in the Taurus. It has a Base, a Pedestal, and a Capital. The Shaft of the Pillar, with its Pedestal and Capital, consists of twenty one Stones. Above the Capital are two Stones. The Pedestal alone is built with five Stones, so closely cemented together, that if the Pillar had never felt the Shocks of an Earth-quake, or the Decays of Time, it had appear’d to have been one entire Stone. These Stones are plac’d one above another, and are hollow in the Inside. Each of them is the whole Compass of the Pillar, out of which are cut the Steps and Windows which beautify and enlighten it. I took upon me to measure the Compass of the Shaft from the Stone which covers it at Top, down to the lowest Step of the Pedestal. This Stone therefore, thro’ which there is cut a Door, by which you ascend above the Abacus of the Capital, is about thirteen Foot nine Inches high, and is itself the Roof and Arch of the whole Pillar. The Door is six Foot two Digits high, and three Foot nine Inches broad. The second Stone is six Foot high, in which is cut the uppermost Step above the Abacus of the Capital. The third is five Foot and four Digits high, and contains the Abacus and the whole Capital. The fifth is five Foot in height, wanting two Digits. The Sixth is four Foot nine Inches high. The Seventh five Foot and two Digits. The Eighth four Foot and four Digits. The Ninth is six Foot high. The Tenth five Foot. The Eleventh four Foot252 and fourteen Digits. The Twelfth four Foot nine Inches. The Thirteenth five Foot. The Fourteenth five Foot two Digits. The fifteenth five Foot and a half. The Sixteenth the same. The Seventeenth five Foot and ten Digits. The eighteenth six Foot and a half. The Nineteenth five Foot and four Digits. The Twentieth six Foot and a half. The Twenty first, where the Shaft of the Pillar begins, six Foot and four Digits high. The Pedestal consists of six Stones. The uppermost of which is four Foot nine Inches high. The Second is the same height. The Third four Foot. The Fourth four Foot six Inches. The Fifth the same. The Sixth and last is four Foot high. It has in all fifty six Windows, and two hundred thirty three Steps of two kinds. For some rise in square, others in circular Windings, after the Manner of some Shell-Fish. You ascend the Pedestal by five square Winding Steps. Every Winding has at the Top of it a small Floor, which leads you from one Winding to another. The first and second Windings have six Steps each; the third eight; the fourth and fifth, nine each; the lowest of them all, which lies level with the Threshold of the Door, is ten Digits high, twelve Inches broad, and two Foot nine Inches long. The other square Windings are like this, and the Floor at the Top of each of them is two Foot nine Inches square. Upon the fifth Winding stands the Shaft of the Pillar, the first Steps of which are ten Digits high; near the Wall they are a Foot broad, in the Middle a Foot and nine Inches, and in Length they are two Foot nine Inches. The253 Steps above them, are all of them, nine Digits high. The Inside of the Shaft of the Pillar measures twenty eight Foot in Circumference. The Wall which encloses the Steps, in the lowest Part of it, is two Foot and three Digits, in the highest, ’tis one Foot nine Inches thick. If I should be thought too curious, in taking the Dimensions of every Stone, this Character with more Justice belongs to that Man, (and yet Thucydides highly commends him for it) who by counting the Rows of Bricks of which they were built, took the height of the Enemies Walls. I was under some Apprehensions from the Savageness of the Inhabitants, lest they should catch me dropping my Line, had I measur’d it without, so that I lay under a Necessity of taking the Dimensions within; and by joining the height of one Stone to the height of another, I discover’d its Altitude. There are two Steps consisting of many Stones, which first shew themselves from the Surface of the Earth. Above them is the third Step, which is cut out of a Stone three Foot and four Digits high, and thirty three Foot and a half in Circumference. Upon the Stone which makes the third Step, stands the Pedestal. The first of the five Stones of which it consists, from the Threshold of the Door, is five Foot and a half high. Its Ornaments are a plain Plinth three Foot five Digits high, a small Tore five Digits high, an Apophyge with a Reglet nine Inches, another Reglet above it two Digits, and a Cornice engrav’d, which is nine Inches high. The Frieze, on three Sides, is curiously engrav’d with Trophies; the Northern Side of it, where254 the Door is, is not engrav’d at all. The Cornice of the Pedestal bends downwards. At the bottom of it is a Reglet, above that an Astragal, adorn’d with Berries; then an Ovolo, and above that an Astragal wreath’d like a Rope. Higher yet is a Folial Bandage. There projects beyond the Pedestal a kind of Abacus; on each side of which there are two Fasces of Laurel-work, the largest of which is incurvated even to the bottom of the Abacus. On the Sides of this Abacus there is a Sculpture of seven naked Boys, holding each of them in his Hand a Laureated Fascis. At every Angle of this Abacus there stands an Eagle, and above it is the Plinth of the Pillar, adorn’d with a Foliage, which projects very little. Above the Plinth is a Tore, adorn’d with Laurel-work, which is filletted with a spiral Bandage. Above the Tore there rises an Apophyge, upon which Stands the Shaft of the Pillar, which is carv’d with the Scenes of War, and of Battles. The Sculpture is much like that which adorns the Pillar of Trajan in Old Rome. The Trachelium, or Top of the Shaft, is fluted perpendicularly. The lower part of its Capital is adorn’d with Apophyges, an Ovolo, and an Abacus, which projects beyond the Shaft two Foot and fourteen Digits. The Abacus, on all sides of it, is seventeen Foot, and nine Inches round. Above the Abacus there is a Door, above which the Pillar rises in the Form of a Cone, where there is another Door above ten Foot high. We may look upon this Pillar to be of the Tuscan Order, because both the Base, and the Capital of it, are finished after the Tuscan manner.

255

Chap. VIII.

Of the Statues, and the antient Tripos of Apollo, standing in the Xerolophon.

SUIDAS writes, that the Xerolophon was formerly call’d Thema, because it was a kind of Repository, and contained in it fifteen winding Apartments, the Statue of Diana, and Severus, who built it; besides a Thermation, a Tripos from whence many Oracles were deliver’d. In this Place, the Founder of it us’d to offer Sacrifices; and among others he sacrificed a Virgin. Priscian, whom I find mention’d by Benedictus Ægius, indefatigably curious in his Search of Antiquity, observes, That the Azoles sometimes inserted in a Word the Letter Ϝ, as I have taken Notice of in some Inscriptions of a very antient Tripos of Apollo, still remaining in the Xerolophon; the Words of which are written after this Manner; Δημοφάϝων, Λαϝονάϝων. He tells us, that ’tis customary in another Place, meaning among the Æolians, to place an Ϝ between two Vowels of the same Word; as in ὄϝις, ovis, Δάϝος, Davus, ὦϝον, ovum. I have seen, says he, the same in some old Inscriptions, in very antient Characters, on some Tripos’s, especially on the Tripos of Apollo, which is at Constantinople; as Δημοφόϝων for Δημοφόων, Λαϝοκόϝων for Λαοκόων.256 Others add, that there were the like Insertions in the Xerolophon, a little above the Basis of the Pillars of Marcian, Valentinian, and Theodosius the Less. Zonaras tells us, that Simeon, a Prince of the Bulgarians, a Man of a cruel and turbulent Spirit, march’d an Army against the Chrobatians; when he was conquer’d, and lost his Army, partly by the Badness of the Roads, some Body inform’d the Emperor that the Statue plac’d above the Arch in the Xerolophon, looking Westward, was carv’d for the Statue of Simeon of Bulgaria, and that if any one cut off the Head of the Statue, Simeon should immediately die. The Emperor commands the Head of the Statue to be chopt off, and soon received the News that Simeon was dead of a violent Pain of the Stomach. For he watch’d to a Minute the Time of his Death. As to the Port of Theodosius, that was in the same Place where the Gardens, which are now call’d the Blancha, stand at present. These Gardens are enclos’d with a Wall, and are seated in a Plain, adjoyning to the Shore of the Propontis, at the Foot of the sixth Hill. The Mouth of the Port stood Eastward, from whence the Pier extended it self Westward, in a direct Line, where at present stand the Walls of the City. The Pier was twelve Foot in Thickness; and, as I found by walking it, ’twas six Hundred of my Paces in length. ’Tis now entirely ruin’d. The Gardens, which are very spacious, abound with Sallets and Potherbs, but have very few Fruit-Trees. These Gardens are water’d with Pools, which they have within them, and which are the Remains of the old Port. I discover’d by the Pier, and Situation257 of the Place, that ’twas above a Mile in compass. In the Mouth of the Port, not altogether unfit for Ships at present, without the City Wall, you still see a Fortress in its Ruins, surrounded by the Sea. The unknown Writer of the Empire of Constantinople asserts, That it was first called Thema, afterwards the Forum of Theodosius; tho’ it seems to me rather to be the Forum of Arcadius, by Reason the Pillar of Arcadius joyns to it. For the Forum of Theodosius, in all Probability, stood near the Port of Theodosius. This is no more than what is conformable to the Rules of Architecture, which prescribe, that a Market should be built near a Port. I am of Opinion, that it was formerly call’d the Port of Eleutherius, if we may credit those Writers who affirm, That Constantine the Great built a Wall from the Ridge of the first Hill to the Port of Sophia, and the Port of Eleutherius, built by Constantine the Great, to prevent the Inundations of the Sea. ’Tis called the Port of Eleutherius, because, when ’twas built, he was Surveyor of the Works. It was for this Reason, that there was a Marble Statue erected to him in that Port, bearing on his Shoulders a Basket of Marble, and holding in his Hand a Marble Spade. They add further, that Irena, and her Son Constantine, built him a noble Seat; and that from that Seat, as far as the Amastrianum, reach’d the Hippodrom, which was built by Theodosius the Great, and was demolish’d by Irena. Zonaras writes, that Irena, after she was remov’d from the Government by Constantine her Son, liv’d in a House which she built in the Port of Eleutherius. The Portico’s, which the258 ancient Description of the Wards of the City names with the Epithet Troadeæ, others mention with that of Troadesiæ, and tell us, that Constantine the Great built the Walls of the City as far as the Portico’s call’d Porticus Troadesiæ (that is, the Trojan Portico’s) and the Porta Aurea, which stood in the twelfth Ward. I am of Opinion, that they were call’d the Trojan Portico’s, because they contain’d some Things of the like Kind with that which was called the Porticus Varia. ’Tis reported, says he, that in the Portico, formerly call’d Plesiactia, and now Pæcilla, or Porticus Varia, a celebrated Painter drew the Face of Laodice, on the Picture of Elpinica. I had not known it by the Name it goes at present, had it not been for a Spring near it which they call Χρυσοπηγὴ, as deriving its Name from the Porta Aurea. This Spring, to this Day, constantly flows, and is drank with great Devotion by the Greeks, who hold all Springs, near their Churches, to be sacred. There’s nothing of the Church remaining at present, tho’ Procopius takes Notice of it. Justinian, says he, built two Churches to the Virgin Mary, before the Walls of the City one in the Blachernæ, the other in a Place call’d Πηγὴ, where there is a large Wood of Cypresses, a verdant Meadow, and a delightful Garden, which produces a great Store of fine Fruit, and where there is also a gentle Spring, which affords very good drinking Water. One of the Churches stood near the Sea-shore, the other near the Porta Aurea. Both of them, he adds, were near the end of the City Walls, and were upon Occasion impregnable Fortresses to it. From259 hence I would remark, that in the Time of Justinian, the Angle of the City, which they call the Angle of the seven Towers, was not within the City; but that the Land-wall from the Porta Aurea, straitned the Angle of the City into a more narrow Compass, as appears from the Situation of the Monastery of Studius, which stood upon a piece of Ground, which was formerly look’d upon to be in the Suburbs, but now stands further within the Walls, than the Angle of the seven Towers. He proceeds, and tells us, that Justinian, at a vast Expence, upon the Entrance of the Porta Aurea on the right Hand, rebuilt the Temple of Ja, (which Time had wholly defac’d) for the Service of the True God. The Observation I would make from hence is, that the Porta Aurea stood near the seventh Hill, call’d the Xerolophon, which is also confirm’d by Zonaras, who writes, That in the Time of Leo, many Churches and Houses, the Statue of Arcadius, plac’d upon a Pillar in the Xerolophon, and the Statue of Theodosius the Great, placed upon the Porta Aurea, as also the City Walls, reaching to the Continent on the Field side, were overthrown by an Earthquake. Cedrinus asserts, that the Statue of Victory, near the Porta Aurea, was overturn’d by the same Earthquake. Other Historians mention, that by the same Earthquake, which happen’d the Vᵗʰ of the Calends of November, many sacred Buildings, and many others of common Use, with Multitudes of People, were destroy’d; and that the Statue of Constantine the Great, which stood upon the Gate of Attalus, with the Gate it self, was demolish’d260 by it. It is therefore a great Mistake in those, who take the Porta Aurea to be the same Gate which is now call’d Oria, and is seated in the Northern Part of the City, which, as I observ’d before, was called the Port of Neorius, since ’tis plain from what I have mentioned, that the Porta Aurea was in the Western Part of the City. This is also evident from the antient Description of the Wards of Constantinople, which tells us, that the Length of the City, from the Porta Aurea to the Sea-shore, in a direct Line, is fourteen Thousand and seventy five Feet. Cedrinus takes Notice, that the Elephants stabled in the Porta Aurea, were much of that Kind, with which Theodosius made his publick Entry into the City. ’Tis said that Theodosius the Less who built the Walls of the City as far as the Blachernæ, brought the Statues of those Elephants, which are plac’d upon the Porta Aurea, from the Temple of Mars at Athens. Cedrinus asserts, that Philip King of Macedon built the great Church of Mocius the Martyr, and a Church to St. Anne in a Place call’d Secundus. Procopius says, that both these Churches were built by Justinian. I have seen some Remains of the Church of Mocius, near a large Cistern, built by Justinian, on the Top of the seventh Hill. All its Pillars are standing, and it goes still under the Name of Mocius. Some Historians, and Suidas the Grammarian say, that this Cistern was built by Anastasius Dicorus. It may be worth Enquiry, whether the Moneta, which the antient Description of the Wards places in this Ward, was the Temple of Juno Moneta, or the Treasury. For261 the Grand Seignor, to this Day, makes use of the Castle with seven Towers for a Treasury. Suidas writes, that the Statue of Juno was supported by a Brazen Arch, made somewhat in Form of a Pair of Barbers Scissars, but takes no Notice where it stood; so that I desire the Reader would lay no great Stress upon what I have said of the Moneta.

Chap. IX.

Of the Columns now remaining on the Seventh Hill.

THE Church standing here is called Studios, because it was built by one Studius an eminent Citizen of Constantinople. It was he, says Suidas, who built this Church with a handsome Monastery. Justinian, in his Constitutions, takes Notice of him, when he says, That there were two Biers plac’d in the sacred Treasury; one to the Memory of the Famous Studius, and the other to the Memory of the Magnificent Stephanus. The Monastery built by Studius was call’d Studium, which is entirely demolish’d. The Church remains, tho’ converted into a Mosque. In its Porch are four Pillars with a Trabeation curiously finish’d. In the Inside of the Mosque, there are on each side seven green Pillars, streak’d with black Veins, and look as if they were inlay’d with Pieces of Stone of another kind. Each of them measures in Circumference262 six Foot and six Digits. Their Capitals, and Architraves, are finish’d after the Corinthian Manner, as are those which stand in the Vestibule. In the upper Part of it stands another Order of six Pillars. In the Courts of the Mosque is a Cistern; the Roof of it, which is Brick-work, is supported by twenty three lofty Corinthian Pillars. The Monastery of Studius is now within the Walls of the City, tho’ it formerly stood without it, near the way you go from the Pillar of Arcadius to the Gate of the seven Towers. The Passage of this Gate is at present fill’d up; the Jambs of it are two Corinthian Pillars of spotted Marble, streak’d with green Veins, which sustain eight smaller Pillars, which support three Arches above. On the left Side of the Gate are six Marble Tables, all of which are enclos’d, some with round, some with square Pilasters, upon which are carv’d many fine Statues. They are all of them Naked, of exquisite Workmanship, in a fighting Posture, with Clubs in their Hands, the tallest of which have engrav’d over them winged Cupids. On the right Side of the Gate are six more Tables, enclos’d as the former. Upon the lowest of these there lies a young Man, with his Face upwards, and his Legs folded, holding a musical Instrument in his Hand. There hangs over him a little Figure, in the Likeness of a Cupid, and above the Cupid there rises a Woman. Upon the highest Table there’s carved a naked Statue, with a Club in his Hand; his right Arm is cover’d with a Lyon’s Skin, and with his left Hand he is leading Dogs. Above him is the Statue of a Lyoness with full Dugs.263 Upon another Table are carv’d two Husbandmen carrying Baskets full of Grapes; and upon another is the Statue of a flying Horse. The Bridle is held by a Woman, behind whom stand two Women more: At the Top of the Table there’s another Woman in a recumbent Posture, and opposite to her a young Man lying on the Ground. I took particular Notice of these Figures, by Reason of the Antiquity, and the admirable Sculpture of them. I saw also upon the seventh Hill, among others, four Mosques of curious Workmanship. Their Vestibules and Pillars were all of Marble. Three of them stood on the Eastern Side of the Hill, two of whose Vestibules were adorn’d with six lofty and large Pillars; two of which were of Thebean Marble, and the other four of different kinds of Marble, vein’d with a dark green. The other stands near the Pillar of Arcadius, lately built by the Consort of Solyman the Grand Seignor, (with a handsome Caravansera, and a College, where the Turkish and Arabian Learning is profess’d) in which I counted more than sixty Pillars of different kinds. On the Top of the Hill there are two other Mosques, one of which has Bagnio’s, and Colleges joyning to it. The Vestibule of it is beautify’d with six Pillars of Thebean Marble, which measure each six Foot in Circumference. Their Bases and Capitals are finish’d after the Turkish Manner. The Shafts of the Pillars are very ancient, especially of those two which face the Door of the Mosque, whose Hypotrachelions at Top are more slender than the Shafts, tho’ in the lower Parts of them, they are equal to264 them, as a Man’s Neck is less in Circumference near the Head, than the Shoulders. ’Tis adorn’d with one Annulet, which rises in the manner of a Ring. Above it there’s another Annulet, which is broad and flat. I saw no Hypotrachelion, all the Time I was at Constantinople, which came so near the Model of Vitruvius, as this; who delivers it as his Judgment, that the Hypotrachelion ought to be contracted in the upper Part of it, as you may see in his third Book de Ionicis. There’s another Mosque on the same Hill, the Vestibule of which is beautify’d with six very lofty Pillars; in the College Court there are fourteen, and as many in a Portico adjoyning to it.

Chap. X.

Of the Thirteenth Ward of the City, call’d the Sycene Ward, of the Town of Galata, sometimes nam’d Pera.

THE Antient Description of the Wards of the City takes Notice, that Galata was formerly a Part of the City. The Thirteenth Ward of New Rome, says the Author, is the Sycene Ward, which is divided from it by a narrow Bay, and preserves an Intercourse with it, by Boats and Shipping. It is seated on the Side of a Hill, except a broad Tract of Land at the Foot of it, which lies upon the Level. Stephanus265 says, that the Town of Sycæ was situated against New Rome, and that it was call’d in his Time Sycæ Justinianæ, but does not give the Reason why it was call’d so. Probably it was, because Justinian either repair’d or rebuilt it; for which Reasons principally Cities frequently change their Names. I wonder that Procopius never took Notice of this Place, since he has given us an exact Description of all the Edifices of the Bay, call’d the Chrysoceras, which were either built or repair’d by him; unless perhaps the Mistake be in Procopius, by inserting the Word Jucundianæ instead of Justinianæ, when he tells us, that Justinian rebuilt the Palaces of the Suburbs in the Chalcopratia, as also in the Place call’d Sycæ Jucundianæ. If the Fault be not in Procopius, ’tis an Errour of Stephanus, who writes Justinianæ for Jucundianæ. But ’tis plain, that Stephanus wrote long before the Time of Justinian; so that if there be any Blunder, ’tis none of Stephanus, but Hermolaus, a Grammarian of Constantinople, who abridg’d the Commentaries of Stephanus, and dedicated them to Justinian. If I might give my Opinion, I should rather call it Sycæ Justinianæ, than Jucundianæ, because it appears to me it should be so, not only by comparing some Books of Procopius and Justinian which have been publish’d, but also by the Authorities of several MSS. Justinian asserts in his Constitutions, That ’tis agreeable to Equity, if a Corpse be carried to the Grave to a great Distance, that the Deacons attending it, should have some Acknowledgment. He subjoyns a little after, That he is of the same Opinion, if the266 Corpse be bury’d within the new Walls of the City or this Side of the Sycæ Justinianæ. This is but a small Procession, and it requires not much Time or Pains to walk thither; but, says he, if the Body be carried beyond the Walls of this flourishing City, or beyond any other Stairs, than those which lead to Sycæ——There’s no Occasion to add what follows. I would only have the Reader observe, that the Word πέρασμα which the Latins interpret Terminus, or a Boundary, signifies properly Trajectus, a Ferry, or the Stairs from whence you sail from one Place to another. ’Tis evident, from what I have quoted, that the Town call’d Sycæ is on the other side of the Bay facing Constantinople, altho’ Stephanus has not declar’d against what Part of the City it lies. I observe notwithstanding from the Treatise above mention’d, that the sixth Ward reach’d from the Forum of Constantine to the Ferry against Sycæ, which is now call’d the Ferry of Pera, or Galata. As I would pay a just Regard to the Authorities of some more modern Historians, I hall produce several Testimonies from them. They assert, that Absimarus, the Commander in Chief of the Forces which besieg’d Constantinople, harbour’d in the Port of Sycæ against the City. Evagrius writes, that the Heads of Longinus, and Theodorus, stuck upon Poles, were sent to Constantinople by Johannes a Scythian, and by the Emperor’s Command were fix’d upon the Shore of Sycæ, opposite to Constantinople; a pleasant Spectacle to the Inhabitants of the City! He adds further, That Vitalianus made an Incursion as far as Sycæ, and that267 when he came to an Anchor there, the Emperor Anastasius sent Marinus an Assyrian Admiral to fight him. Both Fleets prepare for the Engagement; the one facing Constantinople, the other Sycæ. For some Time they kept their Stations; after some small Skirmishes, and Attacks on both Sides, the Fight began near the Places call’d the Vitharia. Vitalianus having lost most of his Men, was forced to bear off, so that there was not the least Appearance of an Enemy in all the Bosporus. Nor am I induc’d to change my Opinion by the Authority of Strabo, who seems to place Sycæ at some Distance from the Bay. The Bosporus, says he, straitning it self from the Promontory into the Measure of five Stadia, or Furlongs, widens at the Harbour plac’d below Sycæ into thirty Furlongs, and from Sycæ to the Chrysoceras it contracts it self again into five Furlongs. Nor would this Opinion any ways contradict what I have said before, if my Author had meant by the Ceras of the Byzantians, what Pliny ’tis plain did, viz. the Bosporian Promontory where Byzantium stood. But Strabo immediately subjoins, that the Ceras was a Bay which was sixty Furlongs in length; and therefore it appears to me, that the Mistake lies either in Cod. Strabon. or in the Historian himself, as is fully evident from the Authority of Dionysius, a very ancient Writer of the History of Constantinople, which was his Native Place. This Author has recorded it, that Sycodes, or Sycæ, is the same Place near the Bay call’d Ceras, where Galata stands at present, as I have more evidently shewn in my Treatise of the Bosporus. The People of Pera268 therefore are grosly in the wrong, when they tell us, that Pera was first built by the Genoese; when it is plain that Pera was built long before they were suppos’d either to have purchas’d the Town, or to have receiv’d it as a Reward of their Sea-Services, from some Emperor of Constantinople; since Justinian places Sycæ within the Walls of the City, and Agathius assures us, it was enclosed with Walls, when he writes, that the People of Constantinople were in such a Consternation upon the Approach of the Enemy, that the Forces of Justinian were obliged to climb the Walls of Sycæ, to make a more vigorous Defence. Sycæ, by Stephanus, is call’d a City, as it is also by some modern Writers; but more antient Authors, who liv’d before Galata was taken by the Genoese, call it the Cittadel of Galata. They tell us farther, that a Fleet of the Saracens was station’d from the Magnaura to the Cyclobion; and that after it had continu’d two Days in that Station, Part of it was driven by a Storm to the Cittadel of Galata, as far as the Clydion, where the Emperor of Constantinople destroy’d it, from Acropolis, with liquid Fire. Zonaras writes, that when Michael the Emperor was besieged both by Sea and Land, he was so terribly distrest, that he was forc’d to lay a Boom across the Sea from Acropolis, to a small Town on the opposite Shore. There is at this Day a Gate at Galata, which is call’d the Boom-Gate. ’Tis however beyond Dispute, that Galata was more than once enlarg’d by the Genoese: This appears from the Walls, which at several Times they have built about it, being fortified on the269 East by Double, and on the West by Treble Walls, denoting the gradual Increase of the Town. You may see at present the antient Sycæ, enclos’d in the middle of Galata, situate against the sixth Ward, and the Sycene Ferry, all built on the Side of a Hill, just as ’tis represented in the Antient Description of the Wards, except one broad Piece of Ground, which lies upon a Level on the Shore at the Foot of the Hill. This Tract of Land was at least a hundred Roman Paces broad. For at present, between the Hill and the Bay, there is a Plain to be seen of an equal, if not of a larger Breadth; because, in such a Length of Time, it is widen’d, as may be observ’d daily, by the Abundance of Filth and Nastiness, which is cast about it. To make it subside at the Bottom, the Inhabitants have fix’d wooden Troughs upon Piles, which they drive into the Earth by an Engine, much like a Rammer. By this Means the Plain upon the Shore is enlarg’d, and made more commodious for Havens. But that the Reader may understand more perfectly where the Sycene Ward stood formerly, I will describe the Situation of Galata, as it stands at present.

270

Chap. XI.

A Description of Galata; of the Temples of Amphiaraus, Diana, and Venus; of the Theatre of Sycæ, and the Forum of Honorius.

THE Sycene Ward, which is commonly called Galata, or Pera, ought more properly to be called the Peræan Ward. Thus it is that Josephus calls Judæa, because it lay on the other Side of the River Jordan: And thus it is, that Strabo calls that Part of the Countrey which lies on the other Side of Euphrates. The Reason alledg’d by the Inhabitants, why ’tis call’d Galata, is, as they tell you, (being impos’d upon by the Allusion of the Name) that Milk was formerly sold there: And I make no Question of it, did they but know, that Galata was formerly call’d Sycæ, they would derive its Name from the Word Fig; and pretend to justify their Mistake from the Authority of Dionysius their Countryman, who says, that it was originally call’d Sycæ, from the Fairness and Abundance of that Fruit which grew there. But their Conjectures had been grounded upon a better Foundation, if they had deriv’d the Name of Galata from the Galatæ, back’d by the Authority of Johannes Tzetzes (a Citizen of Constantinople, and a very industrious Grammarian) in his Var.271 Hist. written above four hundred Years ago. This Author tells us, that Brenus a Gaul, and Commander in Chief of the Gauls, whom the Greeks call Γαλάται, pass’d over the Sea from thence to a Place of Byzantium, and that this Place for this Reason was call’d Pera, which was after their Arrival call’d Galata. This Place is seated partly on a Hill, and partly on a Plain at the Foot of it. This Hill is enclosed on the East and West by two Valleys, each of which is about a Mile in length. The Ridge of the Hill shoots from North to South, and is in no Part of it less than two hundred Paces broad, and of equal Length with the Valleys that enclose it, and joins to the Plain upon the Continent. The South Side of this Hill, and the Plain below it, is bounded by the Bay of Ceras, which makes it almost a Peninsula of a semicircular Figure, in the Form of a drawn Bow, with this Difference only, that the Western Point of it is larger by half; and not quite so long as the Eastern. Galata, as ’tis enclos’d with a Wall, is four Thousand and four Hundred Paces in Compass. It varies, in many Places, as to its Breadth. In the middle of the Town ’tis six hundred Paces broad. The Bay and the Walls stand at twenty Paces Distance. The Plain that runs between the Bay and the Hill, is a hundred and eighty, and the Hill it self four hundred Paces broad. The Eastern Side of Galata, at the first Entrance of it, is four hundred Paces in breadth; after which it contracts it self into the Breadth of two hundred and sixty Paces only. The Western Side of it, which stands without Old Galata, rises upon a272 moderate Ascent, which winds Southward, and adjoyns to a small Descent, which terminates Westward near the Walls of Old Galata. The Town therefore of Galata stands upon a Treble Descent; one of which winds from North to South, another falls Easterly, and another at West. The Declivity which crosses the Breadth of it, stretches from North to South; and is so steep, that in many Places you are forced to climb it by Steps; so that you ascend the first Floor of the Houses, which stands upon a Level, by Ladders. The Eastern and Western Side of Galata have a double Declivity; one from North to South, the other to East and West; so that not only those Parts of it which lie in a strait Line, but those Ways also which are winding, or lie Cross-ways, have their Descents; but the Eastern Side of the Town is more upon the Declivity than the Western Side of it. To be short, Galata is of such a Steepness, that if all the Houses were of an equal Height, the upper Rooms would have a full View of the Sea, and of all the Ships sailing up and down in it. And not only Galata, but almost the whole City of Constantinople would have the same Privilege, if that Law, which was first made by Zeno, and afterwards ratify’d by Justinian, was in full Force. This Law expressly forbids any Man to hinder or obstruct an open and entire View of the Sea, or indeed a Side Prospect of it, and enjoyns the Inhabitants to build at least at a hundred Paces Distance from it. The Level Part of the Town, which runs between the Bottom of the Hill and Bay, is, in no Place of it, less than273 two hundred Paces broad. Towards the Ends of it ’tis much broader; and, in some Places, it widens to the Length of five hundred Paces. The Town is thrice as long as it is broad. It extends it self in Breadth from North to South, in Length from East to West. The Western Side of it is broader than the Eastern, and almost of an equal Breadth with the middle of the City. For in a Length of five hundred Paces, ’tis no less than five hundred Paces broad. The Eastern Side of Galata is more narrow, where it is no more than two hundred and sixty Paces broad. The Shore round the Town is full of Havens. Between the Walls and the Bay is a Piece of Ground, where are Abundance of Taverns, Shops, Victualing-houses, besides several Wharfs, where they unlade their Shipping. It has six Gates, at three of which there are Stairs, from whence you sail over to Constantinople. Galata is so situate to the North of Constantinople, that it faces the first, second, and third Hills, and the first and second Valley of that City; having in Front the Bay of Ceras, and Constantinople, and behind it some Buildings of the Suburbs. For many of these Buildings stand partly on the Top of the Hill, and partly on the Sides of it. The Town, it self does not rise to the Ridge of the Hill. Where Galata rises highest, there is yet standing a very lofty Tower, where there is an Ascent of about three hundred Paces, full of Buildings, and beyond that is the Ridge of the Hill upon a Level, about two hundred Paces broad, and two thousand Paces long. Thro’ the middle of it runs a broad Way full of Houses, Gardens, and274 Vineyards. This is the most pleasant Part of the Town; from hence, and from the Sides of the Hill, you have a full View of the Bay of Ceras, the Bosporus, the Propontis, the seven Hills of Constantinople, the Countrey of Bithynia, and the Mountain Olympus, always cover’d with Snow. And besides these, there are many other additional Buildings, which adorn the Hills, and Vales adjoining to this Town. It has the same Number of Hills and Vales as Constantinople it self; so that the Inhabitants, whenever they please, can make the Town one third larger than it is at present; and if the Grandeur of the Byzantian Empire continues a hundred Years longer, Galata, it is not improbable, may seem to rival Constantinople it self. They who write that Byzas, the Founder of Byzantium, built the Temple of Amphiaraus in Sycæ, are somewhat in the wrong, tho’ not grosly mistaken. For Dionysius a Byzantian tells us, that behind Sycæ stood the Temple of Amphiaraus, which was built by those who transplanted a Colony to Constantinople, under the Command of Byzas. Both the Grecians, and the Megarians, honour’d Amphiaraus as a God. But altho’ the Temple of Amphiaraus did not stand in the Place which Dionysius calls Sycæ; yet the Word Sycæ signified a larger Tract of Ground, after it was made a City; so that the Temples of Amphiaraus, of Diana Lucifera, and of Venus Placida, all stood within the Limits of it, as I have fully made it appear in my Treatise of the Bosporus. But there are no Remains of these Buildings at present, nor of those Edifices, which, the Antient275 Description of the City tells you, were in the Sycene Ward. The oldest Man now living cannot so much as tell where those Temples antiently stood, nor ever read or heard, whether there was ever such a Place as the Sycene Ward. Thus far only we can guess from the Rules and Usuage of Architecture, that the Theatre, and Forum of Honorius, stood at the Bottom of the Hill upon a Plain, where Theatres are generally built, as I frequently observ’d in my Travels thro’ Greece. There was standing a Forum, in a Level Ground, (near to the Haven, where is now built a Caravansera, in the Ruines of a Church dedicated to St. Michael) when first I came to Constantinople. This Forum was well supply’d with Water by an ancient subterraneous Aqueduct. In short, there is nothing to be seen at present of old Sycæ. Those antient Pillars we see in some Mosques at Galata, are said to have been imported by the Genoese: Some of them are of very antient Workmanship, and well finish’d. The Cistern of St. Benedict, now despoil’d of its Roof, and three hundred Pillars, which supported it, (now turn’d into a Cistern for watering the Priest’s Gardens) shews it to be a very antique and expensive Work.

From what has been wrote upon this Subject, the Reader may learn how renown’d Constantinople has been for its Monuments of Antiquity. It would take up another Volume, to enlarge upon the Publick Buildings of the Mahometans at present, and to explain for what Uses they were intended. I shall just touch upon a few Things, which are the most remarkable. The City, as276 it now stands, contains more than three hundred Mosques, the most magnificent of which were built by their Emperors and Basha’s, and are all cover’d at Top with Lead and Marble, adorn’d with Marble Columns, the Plunder and Sacrilege of Christian Churches, as these were before beautify’d with the Spoils of the Heathen Temples. It has above a hundred publick and private Bagnio’s, fifty of which are very spatious, and of two Lengths, much like those I have describ’d, built by their Emperour Mahomet. Their Caravansera’s, and publick Inns, are much above a Hundred; the most famous of which, in the Middle of their Court-yard, are furnish’d with Fountains of Water, brought from the Fields adjoyning to the City. Their Emperors have peculiarly distinguish’d themselves in this Respect. Thus does Eusebius enlarge in the Praise of Constantine: In the middle of their Fora, says he, you may see their Fountains adorn’d with the Emblems of a good Pastor, well known to those who understand the Sacred Writings; namely, the History of Daniel and the Lyons figur’d in Brass, and shining with Plates of Gold. Valens, and Andronicus, at a vast Expence made Rivers, at a remote Distance, tributary to the Town; partly by directing their Courses under Arches, at this Time appearing above Ground, and partly by Channels dug under it. Several other Emperors, with no less Cost, made themselves Fish-ponds, and subterraneous Lakes, by after Ages call’d Cisterns, in every Ward of the City, and that principally to supply them with Water in Case of a Siege. But the Enemies of Constantinople277 lie at present at such a Distance from them, that they have either entirely ruin’d their Cisterns, or converted them to another Use. I shall take no Notice of the stately Houses of their Noblemen and Basha’s, nor of the Grand Signor’s Palace, which spreading it self all over old Byzantium, is constantly supply’d with Rivers, which flow in upon it, from distant Parts of the Neighbouring Countrey. I pass by their Lakes and Conduits, seated in every Part of the City, which serve them not only with Water to drink, but likewise carry off the Filth of it into the Sea, and wash away those Impurities of the Town, which clog and encumber the Air, and for which great Cities are generally look’d upon as unwholsome. I shall not mention at present, that almost all the Buildings of Constantinople are low, and made out of the Ruines, which the Fire and Earthquakes had spar’d; that many of them are not two Story high, rebuilt with rough Stones, or with burnt, and sometimes unburnt Bricks. I omit also the Houses of Galata, built by the Genoese. The Greeks who profess Christianity, have lost their six hundred Churches, and have not one left, of any Note, except the Church belonging to the Monastery, where their Patriarch dwells. The rest are either entirely ruin’d, or prostituted to the Mahometan Worship. The Francks have about Ten, the Armenians only Seven. The Jews have upwards of Thirty Synagogues, which are scarce sufficient to hold the numerous Congregations of that populous Nation. The Reader will view in a better Light the antient Monuments of Constantinople,278 when he shall peruse the Antient Description of the Wards of the City, finished before the Time of Justinian, and annex’d at the End of this Book. When this Treatise was first wrote, Constantinople was so fully peopled, that those who inhabited the Fora, and the broad Ways were very straitly pent up; nay, their Buildings were so closely joyn’d to one another, that the Sky, at the Tops of them, was scarce discernible. And as to the Buildings in the Suburbs, they were very thickly crowded together, as far as Selymbria, and the Black Sea; and indeed some Part even of the neighbouring Sea, was cover’d with Houses supported by Props under them. For these, and many other Monuments, was Constantinople antiently renown’d; none of which are remaining at present, except the Porphyry Pillar of Constantine, the Pillar of Arcadius, the Church of St. Sophia, the Hippodrom now in Ruines, and a few Cisterns. No Historian has recorded the Antiquities of Old Byzantium, before it was destroy’d by Severus; altho’ it is reasonable to believe, there were very many of them, especially if it be consider’d, that it long flourish’d in those Times of Heroism, when Art and Ingenuity were in high Estimation, and when Rhodes, no ways preferable to Byzantium, was beautify’d with no less than three thousand Monuments. ’Tis easy to form a Judgment, from the Strength and Proportion of its outside Walls, what beauteous Scenes of Cost, and Workmanship were contain’d within. This we know however for a Certainty, that Darius, Philip of Macedon, and Severus, demolish’d many279 of their Antiquities, and when they had ravag’d the whole City, that the Byzantians made a noble Stand against the Forces of Severus, with Statues, and other Materials, which were Part of the Ruines of the City. I have already in Part accounted for the Ruines of these Curiosities; I shall at present briefly mention some other Causes which contributed thereto; the Principal of which was the Division of their Emperors amongst themselves; frequent Fires, sometimes accidentally, sometimes designedly occasion’d, not only by their Enemies from abroad, but by their own Factions, and civil Dissensions among themselves; some of which burnt with a constant Flame three or four Days together. These Fires were so raging and terrible, that they did not only consume what was purely combustible, but they wasted the Marble Statues and Images, and Buildings made of the most tough and solid Materials whatsoever; nay, so fierce were they, that they devour’d their own Ruines, and laid the most mountainous Heaps of Rubbish even with the Ground. Nor were the antient Monuments of Old Byzantium demolish’d only by their Enemies, but even by those Emperors who had the greatest Regard and Affection for the City; the Chief of whom was Constantine the Great, who, as Eusebius reports, spoil’d the Temples of the Heathen Gods, laid waste their fine Porches, entirely unroofed them, and took away their Statues of Brass, of Gold and Silver, in which they glory’d for many Ages. And to add to the Infamy, that he expos’d them by way of Mockery and Ridicule, in all the most publick Places of the280 City. To disgrace them the more, he tells us, that he fill’d it with his own Statues of Brass, exquisitely finish’d; and then concludes, that he was so far incensed against the Heathen Monuments, that he made a Law for the utter Abolishment of them, and the entire Destruction of their Temples. How far Eusebius himself, and other Christian Authors were provoked against them, is plainly discernible in their Writings; namely, that they inveigh’d with the same Severity against the Images of their Gods, as they do at present against our Statues. The Emperors Basilius and Gregorius, were bitterly enrag’d not only against the Images themselves, but against those who wrote too freely in Justification of them. I shall not mention many other Emperors, Successors of Constantine, who were so much exasperated even with the Images of the Christians, that they not only destroy’d them, but proceeded with such Rigour against those who devis’d, or painted, or engrav’d them, that they were entitled the Iconomachi, or Champions that fought against them. I shall say nothing of the Earthquakes, mention’d in History, which happen’d in the Reigns of Zeno, Justinian, Leo Conon, Alexius Comnenus, whereby not only the most considerable Buildings of Constantinople, but almost the whole City with its Walls were demolish’d, so that they could scarce discover its antient Foundation, had it not been for the Bosporus, and Propontis, the eternal Boundaries of Constantinople, which enclose it. I pass by the large Wards of the City, which through the Poverty of the Inhabitants, after frequent Fires,281 and the Ravage of War, lay a long Time in Ruins, but were at last rebuilt; tho’ the Streets are promiscuously huddled up without Regularity, or Order. These were the Causes, as Livy relates of Old Rome, after it was burnt down, that not only the antient common Shores, but the Aquæducts and Cisterns, formerly running in the open Streets, now have their Courses under private Houses, and the City looks rather like one solid Lump of Building, than divided into Streets and Lanes. I shall not mention how the large Palaces of their Emperors, seated in the middle of the City, nor the Seats of the Nobility enclosing great Tracts of Land, nor how the old Foundations still appearing above Ground, nor the Remains of Buildings, discover’d by the nicest Discernment under it, are almost entirely defac’d. Had I not seen, the Time I liv’d at Constantinople, so many ruinated Churches and Palaces, and their Foundations, since fill’d with Mahometan Buildings, so that I could hardly discover their former Situation, I had not so easily conjectured, what Destruction the Turks had made, since they took the City. And tho’ they are always contriving to beautify it with publick Buildings, yet at present it looks more obscurely in the Day, than it did formerly in the Night; when, as Marcellinus tells us, the Brightness of their Lights, resembling a Meridian Sun-shine, reflected a Lustre from their Houses. The Clearness of the Day now only serves to shew the Meanness and Poverty of their Buildings; so that was Constantine himself alive, who rebuilt and beautify’d it, or others who enlarg’d it, they could282 not discover the Situation of their antient Structures. The Difficulties I labour’d under in the Search of Antiquity here were very great. I was a Stranger in the Countrey, had very little Assistance from any Inscriptions, none from Coins, none from the People of the Place. They, as having a natural Aversion to any thing that’s valuable in Antiquity, did rather prevent me in my Enquiries, so that I scarce dar’d to take the Dimensions of any Thing, being menac’d, and curs’d if I did, by the Greeks themselves. A Foreigner has no way to allay the Heat and Fury of these People, but by a large Dose of Wine. If you don’t often invite them, and tell them you’ll be as drunk as a Greek, they’ll use you in a very coarse manner. Their whole Conversation is frothy and insipid, as retaining no Custom of the old Byzantians, but a Habit of fuddling. It is not the least, among these Inconveniencies, that I could not have Recourse to so many Authors in describing Constantinople, as a Writer may have in describing Old Rome. They are so fond of Change and Novelty, that any Thing may be called Antique among them, which is beyond the Memory of them, or was transacted in the first Stages of Humane Life. And not only the magnificent Structures of antient Times have been demolish’d by them, but the very Names of them are quite lost, and a more than Scythian Barbarity prevails among them. The Turks are so tenacious of their own Language, that they give a new Name to all Places, which are forc’d to submit to their Power, tho’ it be never so impertinent and improper. They have283 such an Abhorrence of Greek and Latin, that they look upon both these Tongues to be Sorcery and Witchcraft. All the Assistance I had was my own Observation, the Memory, and Recollection of others, and some Insight into antient History. By these Assistances principally I discovered the Situation of the fourteen Wards of the City. The Inhabitants are daily demolishing, effacing, and utterly destroying the small Remains of Antiquity; so that whosoever shall engage himself in the same Enquiries after me, though they may far exceed me in Industry and Application, yet they will not be able to make any farther Discoveries of the Monuments of the fourteen Wards. But it is not my Intention to prefer my self above other Writers; if I can any way be assistant to future Times, my End is answered. I hope I need make no Apology for recording in History such Monuments as are falling into Ruines; and if my Stay at Constantinople was somewhat longer than I intended, I hope it will not be any Imputation upon me, as it was occasioned by the Death of my Royal Master. It was by his Command that I travelled into Greece, not with any Design of staying long at Constantinople, but to make a Collection of the antient Greek MSS. Not with any Intention of describing only that City; but as a farther Improvement of Human Knowledge, that I might delineate the Situation of several other Places and Cities. Upon the Death of my King, (not having Remittances sufficient) I was forc’d, with a small Competency, to travel thro’ Asia, and Greece, to this Purpose; and I can assure284 the Reader, that I did not undertake this Voyage upon any Prospect of sensual Pleasure, any View of worldly Interest, or any Affectation of popular Applause; no, I could have liv’d in Ease, more to my own Advantage; and in a much better State of Health, as to all Appearance, in my own Countrey. Not all the Dangers and Inconveniencies of a long and a laborious Voyage could ever move me to a speedy Return. How I came to engage my self in such unfortunate Travels I know not. I was very apprehensive of the Troubles and Dangers, which I must necessarily undergo, and which indeed have befallen me, before I ventur’d upon such an Undertaking; yet I would willingly persuade my self, that my Resolutions herein were Good, and my Design Honourable; being confirm’d in the Opinion of the Platonists, That we ought to be indefatigable in the Search of Truth; and, That ’tis beneath a Man to give over, when his Enquiries are Useful, and Becoming.