Chapter XI: Book II: Chap. I (3)

_Pliny_, among other Statuaries, mentions _Anthermus_ of _Chios_, and his Sons _Biopalus_ and _Anthermus_. _Dionysius_, a Native of _Byzantium_ writes, that _Byzas_, from whom _Byzantium_ took its Name, was the Husband of _Phidalia_, from whom the Port of the _Bosporus_ took the Name of the Port of _Phidalia_, of which I have wrote more largely in my _Treatise of the Bosporus_. _Suidas_, and some modern Writers say, that in the _Basilica_, behind the _Miliarium Aureum_, there was a gilded Statue in the Likeness of a Man, where was also the _Exammon_ of _Heraclius_, and the Statue of _Justin_ the Emperor in a kneeling Posture. _Terbelis_ is said to have preached in the same Place. Here was also placed by the Order of _Severus_, the Figure of a large Elephant, upon the following Occasion: That an Elephant being stabled near it, and the House of a Silver-Smith, who worked in Plate, being robbed, he suspecting the Keeper of the Elephant to be the Thief, threatned him with Death, unless he would move his Station; and the Fellow bidding him Defiance, he slew him, and threw him to the Elephant, at which the Beast being enraged, killed his Keeper’s Murderer. _Severus_ being acquainted with the Fact, offered Sacrifices to the Elephant, commanded him and his Keeper to be cast in Brass, and set up here; where also, as _Suidas_ relates, was the Statue of _Hercules_, to which the _Byzantians_ paid divine Adoration, and offered Sacrifice. Afterwards, in the _Consulship_ of _Julian_, it was moved into the _Hippodrom_; but was originally, with ten other Statues, brought from _Old Rome_, partly by Sea, and partly by Land Carriage. Thus it was that _Hercules_, living and dead, travelled the greatest Part of the World. _Suidas_ writes, that in the Imperial Walks were placed the _Equestrian_ Statues of _Trajan_, _Theodosius_, _Valentinian_, _Gibbus_, and _Firmillianus_ the Buffoon. There were many other Statues of Emperors and Eunuchs set up in this Place, the most famous of which was the Statue of _Eutropius_, who was Chamberlain to the Emperor _Arcadius_. The Honour and Opulency of this Eunuch appeared in numberless gilded Statues, erected to him in every Part of the City, and the Magnificence and Superiority of the Houses he built, almost in every Street. This so far encouraged and increased the Number of the Eunuchs, that even the Boys affected to be so, that they might become as rich and as honourable as _Eutropius_. The _Basilica_ was so near to the _Miliarium_, and the _Augusteum_, that the Clock made by the Command of the Emperor _Justin_, _Cedrinus_ places in the _Miliarium_, others in the _Forum Augusteum_, and others in the _Basilica_, as is evident from the following Inscription.

On the _Basis_ of the Dial over the Arch in the _Basilica_.

_This Dial was erected at the Cost
Of Prince_ Justinus, _and the fair_ Sophia.
_The Scourge of execrable Tyrants he,
She the bright Patroness of Liberty.
Behold the_ Gnomon _cast in shining Brass,
The certain_ Index _of the flying Hours.
This was the Invention of the learned_ Julian
_An honest, upright, and impartial Lawyer_.

CHAP. XX.

_Of the Imperial Library, and_ Portico; _as also of the Imperial_
Cistern.

The Imperial Palace, says _Zonaras_, stood near the _Basilica_, hard by the Brasiers Shops. The _Basilica_ was furnished with many Volumes, both of human and divine Learning. It was anciently the Mansion House of some Person of distinguished Knowledge, whom they called the President or Master. He had under him twelve Assistants, excellently well skilled in the Art of Reasoning, who were maintained at the publick Charge. They had each of them several Pupils under them, who were instructed in the Methods of Argumentation, and were had in such high Estimation, that upon all important Affairs of State, the Emperors summoned them to Council. In the Reign of _Basilicus_, there happened at _Constantinople_ a great Fire, which begun at, and consumed the Brasiers Shops, with all the adjacent Buildings, burnt down whole Streets; and among other fine Edifices, destroyed the famous _Basilica_, which contained a Library of six hundred thousand Volumes. Among other Curiosities of this Place, was the Gut of a Dragon, a hundred and twenty Foot long, on which were inscribed in Golden Characters the _Iliads_ and _Odysses_ of _Homer_. _Malchus_, a learned _Byzantian_, wrote the History of _Constantinople_, which he brought down from the Reign of _Constantine_, to the Time of _Anastasius_ the Emperor, in which he very passionately laments the burning of the publick Library, and the Statues of the _Forum Augusteum_. _Cedrinus_ speaking of the same Library, gives the same Account of it with _Zonaras_, almost word for word, and adds, _That this Library contain’d the Histories of the Atchievements of the greatest Heroes, in the several Ages of the World_. Many Years after this _Basilica_ was burn’d down, the Emperor _Leo Conon_, the Students vigorously opposing his Heresy, order’d the Palace to be fired, and burnt them, and the Library; which was afterwards rebuilt, and furnished with a most curious Collection of the best Authors. The _Basilicæ_ at _Old Rome_, were the Places where they used to plead, to hold their Councils and _Senates_, and to carry on the Business of Merchandize and Commerce: At _Constantinople_ they were used as Libraries and Schools of Learning, as appears by what I have already observ’d, as also from the following Inscription.

Upon the publick School in _Byzantium_.

_This Place was built for all th’ unletter’d Youth
Whose_ Genius _leads ’em to the_ Roman _Law.
In Pleading skill’d, and fraught with Eloquence,
They leave these Walls, and plead their Countrey’s Cause._

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

CHAP. XXI.

_Of the_ Chalcopratia.

It is plain from what has been observed, that the _Chalcopratia_, or Places where they work’d their Brass, stood near the _Basilica_. _Cedrinus_ reports, That _Theodosius the Less_ built the Church of the _Chalcopratia_, and dedicated it to the Virgin _Mary_. Others say, that the _Jews_, who had lived there from the Time of _Constantine the Great_, had obliged _Theodosius the Less_ to retire from thence, and built that Church; and that afterwards, when it had been shatter’d by an Earthquake, it was rebuilt by _Justin Curopalatos_, tho’ _Zonaras_ is of another Opinion. _Theodosius the Great_, says he, _marching into the Western Parts, the_ Jews _took the Opportunity, and made_ Honoratus _the Prefect of the City, their Friend, and obtain’d of him the Freedom to build a Synagogue in the_ Chalcopratia: _The People being enraged at this, set it on fire, and burnt it down. When_ Theodosius _was made acquainted with the Fact, he lay’d a Fine upon those who were concern’d in it, and gave them a fresh Licence to build another. St._ Ambrose, _who was then Bishop of_ Milan, _being inform’d of the Matter, lay’d before_ Theodosius _the Greatness of the Crime, in suffering the_ Jews _to build a Synagogue in the very Centre of the Queen of Cities, upon which he remitted the Fine, and stopp’d their Proceedings_. There are no Braziers Shops in this Place at present, they being removed into another part of the City, tho’ I was inform’d by some of the Inhabitants, that not many Years since they follow’d their Trade near the _Chalcopratia_. The _unknown Author_ of the History of _Constantinople_, describing the Boundaries of _Old Byzantium_, tells us, _That the_ Chalcopratia _were not far from the_ Miliarium. Others say, that they were near the Church of St. _Sophia_. _Strabo_ speaking of the Palace of _Alexandria_, relates, that in Conformity to this at _Constantinople_, it had a Library, a _Portico_, a Convocation-House, or Place of Assembly upon publick Affairs, and a large publick Foundation for the Encouragement of Persons of Literature and Science.

CHAP. XXII.

_Of the_ Portico’s _situate between the Palace, and the_ Forum _of_
Constantine.

Besides the Imperial _Portico_, which stood near the Library, there were also other _Portico’s_ at a little Distance from it, which reach’d from the Palace to the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. The first Fire, which happen’d in the Reign of _Justinian_, consumed the Palace and the Church of St. _Sophia_, both the long _Portico_’s, as far as the _Forum of Constantine_. _Cedrinus_ says, that besides these, it destroy’d also the _Chalca_ and the _Augusteum_. The Fire that happen’d afterwards in the Reign of _Basiliscus_, began at the _Chalcopratia_, burnt down the two adjoining _Portico’s_, all the neighbouring Buildings, the _Basilica_, in which was the Library, two _Portico’s_ which stood between the Palaces, and all the fine Ornaments of the _Lausus_. These _Portico’s_ have been often burnt, and as often rebuilt; first of all by _Justinian_, then by others, and last by _Domninus_, which is confirm’d by a modern Historian, who says, That when _Constantinople_ was taken by the _Gauls_ and the _Venetians_, the cover’d _Portico_’s of _Domninus_ reaching on both Sides of the Way, from the _Miliarium_ to the Forum of _Constantine_, were burnt to the Ground. Some say, That in the Time of _Constantine the Great_, _Eubulus_ built four double _Portico’s_, which were arch’d at Top, and reach’d from the Palace to the Land Wall of the City; one of which stretch’d as far as the Church of St. _Anthony_, at the End of the City, another from the Port of _Sophia_, to the Church named _Rabdon_; the other two extended themselves from the _Chalca_, and the _Miliarium_ to the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, the Street call’d _Taurus_, and the _Brazen Bull_. All of them were paved with square Marble, and adorn’d with infinite Numbers of Statues. These Relations, though they come from unknown Authors, who, as I have sometimes observed, have not so strictly adhered to Truth, yet seem to carry with them a good Face of Probability, since it is evident from Historians of more Veracity, how industrious _Constantine_ was in adorning the City; and ’tis no less evident from the _Treatise of the ancient Description of the Wards_, that _Constantinople_, in the Reigns of _Arcadius_ and _Honorius_, had no less than fifty two publick _Portico’s_, five of which the Author places in the fourth _Ward_, in which stood the _Basilica_, the Imperial _Portico_, and the _Portico_ of _Fannio_; besides which, he places four large _Portico’s_ in the sixth _Ward_. In the same _Ward_ he places another large _Portico_. He adds, that the seventh _Ward_ abounds with _Portico’s_, and that the eighth _Ward_ had six _Portico’s_ more. In the ninth _Ward_ were two large _Portico’s_. The tenth had six, the eleventh four. From which it is credible, that the _Portico’s_ stood very thick from the _Chalca_ to the Land Wall, but I cannot say they were contiguous beyond the _Taurus_.

CHAP. XXIII.

_Of the_ Miliarium Aureum _and its Statues, and of the_ Fortune _of
the City, and her Statue_.

The _Miliarium Aureum_ was a gilded Pillar, from whence they used to adjust the Mensuration of their Miles, and the Distances from the City. _Pliny_ tells us, that it was set up at _Rome_ in the highest Ground of the publick _Forum_; but whether the _Miliarium_ at _Constantinople_ was like that of _Rome_, the _Greek_ Historians have been so far from declaring their Opinions concerning it, that in all their Writings they have not so much as mention’d the Name of it. Yet it seems very probable to me, that it was like it, and was also seated in the _Forum_, or near it. For the _Ancient Description of the Wards_ places it in the _Ward_ where the _Forum Augusteum_ and the _Basilica_ stood, to which it adjoin’d. They who have written the History of the Atchievements of _Alexius Comnenus_ the Emperor, tell us, that at Break of Day, the Forces of _Alexius_, marching out of the great Palace, under the Command of _Sabatius_ their General, enter’d the Church of St. _John_ the _Divine_, and when they had got to the Top of the Church, they express’d themselves in a provoking manner, so that a Battle began about three in the Morning, and that many People in the _Forum_ were wounded, who fought from the Roof of the _Miliarium_, and the Top of St. _John_’s Church. The Inhabitants say, that this was the Church where the Elephants of the _Grand Seignor_ are now stabled. ’Tis near the _Hippodrom_, and the _Forum Cupedinis_, famous for Niceties, situate near the Church of St. _Sophia_, and was formerly called the _Forum Augusteum_. But to come closer to the Point: _Suidas_ says, _That in the_ Basilica, _behind the_ Miliarium, _were placed a gilded Statue of a Man, as also of an Elephant and his Keeper_; others, with more Probability, say, that these Statues were erected behind the _Basilica_, near the _Miliarium_. _Suidas_ adds, that the Statue of _Theodosius_ was placed in the _Miliarium_, and that upon the setting it up, he distributed large Donations of Corn among the People. Upon the _Equestrian_ Statue of _Theodosius_, not remaining at present, were inscrib’d these Verses.

_Not the bright Sun, which gilds the Eastern Sky,
With greater Lustre shines, than_ Theodosius.
_See how he sits aloft in radiant Arms,
And with mild Aspect views his loving People!
The fiery Steed, pleas’d with the Royal Burthen,
In warlike Posture seems to move, and live._

_Suidas_ proceeds farther, and tells us, that the Statues of _Sophia_, the Consort of _Justin_ the _Thracian_, of his Daughter _Arabia_, and his Niece _Helena_; as also the _Equestrian_ Statues of _Arcadius_ and _Theodosius_ his Son, were placed in the _Miliarium_, near the Statue of _Theodosius_ the _Great_. _Cedrinus_ writes, that there stood two Statues above the Nich of the _Miliarium_, one of _Constantine_ the _Great_, the other of his Mother _Helena_, with a Cross between them: Behind them was placed the Statue of _Trajan_ on Horse-back, and that near him was placed the Statue of _Ælius Hadrianus_. _Suidas_ adds, that the Cross which was placed between _Constantine_ and _Helena_, had this Inscription; _una sancta, & duo celeres Cursores_. From whence it is evident, that the _Forum_, the _Miliarium_, and the _Basilica_ stood so near together, that they are not only placed by different Authors in different Places, but sometimes by one and the same Historian. The same Writer says, that there was also in the _Miliarium_ a great Piece of Antiquity, which was a Chariot drawn by four Fallow Horses, supported by two square Pillars, in the Place where _Constantine_ was received by his Army with joyful Congratulations, after he had conquered _Azotium_; but originally, because _Byzas_, the Founder of _Byzantium_, had there been highly applauded by the People. The Chariot of the Sun was carried into the _Hippodrom_, in which was seated a small Statue, made by the Order of _Constantine_. This Statue was the _Fortune_ of the City, which on great Festivals, and the Day of the Celebration of the Foundation of the City, was set up with a Cross on her Head, in the _Senate-House_. _Julian_ the Apostate demolished it in the same Place, where _Arius_ died in a miserable Manner, which was at a small Distance from the _Senate-House_. In the same Place, the pious Emperor _Theodosius_ had ordered the Statues of _Arius_, _Macedonius_, _Sabellius_, and _Eunomius_, which were cut in Marble, to be placed in a sitting Posture on the Ground, to be polluted with the Excrements, and receive the Curses of the People, in Token of their flagrant Perfidiousness. Other Historians say, that the Statue of the _Fortune_ of the City was brought from _Rome_ by _Constantine_ the _Great_, and placed in a Nich in the Palace. _Zosimus_ writes, that _Constantine_ placed the _Fortune_ of _Rome_, on the Side of one of the four _Portico’s_ that surrounded the great _Forum_. ’Tis very probable, that the People of _Constantinople_ celebrated a Festival in Honour of her, as was customary at _Old Rome_, both by Natives and Foreigners, the same Day, in which the _Palilia_, (the Festivals of _Pales_) were celebrated. _Socrates_ tells us, that _Julian_, when he was publickly sacrificing to the _Fortune_ of _Constantinople_, in the _Basilica_, where her Statue was set up; _Mares_, the Bishop of _Chalcedon_, being led thither by the Hand, for he was blind with Age, sharply reprimanded him, and called him an Apostate from the Christian Religion. _Julian_ in Return, called him a blind old Fellow, adding sarcastically this Question; _Is your God, the Galilean, able to cure you?_ For thus, by Way of Contempt, he used to call our Saviour. Upon which the good old Bishop replied, _I thank my God, who has taken my Sight from me, so that I cannot behold the Man who is fallen into so great an Apostacy_; upon which _Julian_ was silent. _Zonaras_, and some Historians who lived before him, have recorded, That in the Time of _Anastasius_, the Statue of _Fortune_, made in Brass, stood with one Foot in a brazen Ship, and was placed in some Part of the City; but that when this Ship began to decay with Age, or some Parts of it were stolen, or shattered by Treachery, it happened, that no Ships of Burthen came into the Port of _Constantinople_, but that upon their Arrival near the City, a Storm prevented their coming into Harbour; and if their Cargo was taken aboard the Long-boats, and brought into the City, they tell you it was soon consumed, by Reason of the Scarcity, which then prevailed. Upon this, the _Curatores_ of the City were obliged to enquire into the Reason of it. When the Magistrates of the City, upon Information, began to suspect the Cause, they found, upon Enquiry, the Fragments of the Ship, which were fitted to their proper Places, when on a sudden, Navigation was open and free, and the Sea was constantly full of Vessels sailing into the Port. And that they might fully discover the real Cause of this Calamity, they repeated the Experiment, by stripping the Ship again of some Pieces of it, and the Ships coming into Harbour, were prevented as before; so they repaired the brazen Vessel she stood in, and took a particular Care of it. _Eunapius_, who wrote the _History of the Lives of the Philosophers and wise Men_, says, that in the Reign of _Constantine_, the Inhabitants attributed this Difficulty of coming into Harbour to another Cause. _There was no entring the Port at_ Constantinople, says he, _unless the Wind stood full South. When this had frequently happened, the People, oppressed with Famine, assembled in the Theatre, enraged at_ Constantine. _The Chief of the Courtiers having conceived a Resentment against_ Sopatrus _the Philosopher, brought him before the Emperor, and impeached him in the following Manner: This_ Sopatrus, _Sir, who is so high in your Favour, has by his excessive Wisdom chained up the Winds, for which you so far admire him, as to admit him too near your Imperial Person_. _Constantine_, believing the Allegations, ordered him to be beheaded.

CHAP. XXIV.

_Of the Temple of_ Neptune, _of the Church of St._ Mina, (_or_ Menna)
_of the_ Stadia, _and the Stairs of_ Timasius.

I cannot omit taking Notice of the Church of St. _Mina_, because it shews in what Part of the City the fourth _Ward_ stood, which contained the _Basilica_, the _Augusteum_, and the Church of St. _Mina_. The History of an unknown Author reports, that _Byzas_ formerly built a Temple to _Neptune_, near the _Acropolis_, by the Sea, where, he says, that in his Time stood the Church of St. _Mina_ the Martyr; though he seems to contradict himself, where he says, that the Church of St. _Mina_ was formerly the Temple of _Jupiter_, and that the Roof of it, which was arched with Marble, was supported with two large Pillars. So that I can conclude nothing from the Uncertainty of this Writer, but that it seems more probable to me, that the Church of St. _Mina_ stood in those Parts of the _Acropolis_, in which formerly stood the Temple of _Neptune_, as appears from _Dionysius_ an antient Writer of _Byzantium_, who says, that a little above the _Promontory_ of the _Bosporus_, was erected an Altar to _Minerva Egressoria_, and the Temple of _Neptune_; and that below the Temple of _Neptune_ were the _Stadia_, and the _Gymnasia_, where they diverted themselves with martial Sports and Exercises, as I have shewn more at large in my Treatise of the _Bosporus_. I am confirmed in this Opinion from the Information of some of the Inhabitants now living, who told me, that within the Imperial Precinct, formerly called the _Acropolis_, stood the Church of St. _Mina_. The _Antient Description of the Wards of the City_ tells us, that the Church of St. _Mina_ stood in the same Ward with the _Stadia_, and the Stairs of _Timasius_. _Procopius_ writes, _That at the Place called the_ Stadium, _near the Sea, where they exercised themselves in martial Sports, the Emperor_ Justinian, _and his Empress_ Theodora, _built some large Inns for the Entertainment of Strangers_.

CHAP. XXV.

_Of the_ Lausus, _and its Statues; namely, a_ Venus _of_ Cnidos,
_a_ Juno _of_ Samos, _a_ Minerva _of_ Lindia, _a winged_ Cupid, _a_
Jupiter Olympius, _a_ Saturn, _Unicorns, Tygers, Vultures, Beasts
that are half Camels, and half Panthers; of the_ Cistern _of the
Hospital called_ Philoxenos, _and the_ Chrysotriclinium.

The _Lausus_ is a Place celebrated in the Writings of many Historians, some of whom write, that it was the House of _Lausus_ a Patrician, who bore many Offices in the Reign of _Arcadius_, the Son of _Theodosius_ the _Great_, and that he adorned his House with many famous Monuments of Antiquity. There is a Book still extant, under the Title of _Lausaicus_, which was wrote by _Heraclidas_, Bishop of _Cappadocia_, and inscribed to _Lausus_. In what Part of the City this Place was, no Authors mention; but ’tis very probable that it was between the Palace, and the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, from the Authorities both of _Zonaras_, and _Cedrinus_; who having described the Ruines of the Fire, which happened in the Reign of _Leo_, both on the North, and South Side of the City tell us, that in the Middle of the City, it burnt from the _Lausus_, to the Street called _Taurus_. And _Evagrius_, speaking of the same Fire, says, that it destroyed all the Buildings from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_ to the _Taurus_. The Reader may observe from hence, that the _Lausus_ was not far from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. _Cedrinus_ also in his Description of that Fire which happened in the Reign of _Basiliscus_, makes it plain, that it stood Eastward, between the Palace, and the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. This Fire, says he, consumed the _Chalcopratia_, the most beautiful Part of the City, the _Basilica_, with its eminent Library, and all the surprizing Ornaments of the _Lausus_, to the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. There was in the _Lausus_, continues our Historian, an infinite Number of Statues, the most remarkable of which was, the Statue of _Minerva_ of _Lindia_, which was four Cubits long, and made of an _Emerald_ Stone. ’Twas cut by _Scyllis_ and _Dipœnus_, two eminent Statuaries, and presented by _Sesostris_ King of _Egypt_, to _Cleobulus_ King of _Lindia_, a Prince of incomparable Wisdom. From hence it is probable the Place is called _Laousos_; for _Minerva_ sometimes goes under the Name of _Laossos_. _Theophrastus_ writes, that the _Egyptian_ Commentators mention, that the King of _Babylon_ made a Present to their King of an _Emerald_, which was four Cubits long, and three in Breadth. If _Sesostris_, _Scyllis_, and _Dipœnus_ were living at the same Time, _Pliny_ should rather have called it the _Emerald_ of _Minerva_. But these were no less antient, than eminent Statuaries, born in the Island of _Crete_, when under the Government of the _Medes_, before _Cyrus_ was King of _Persia_, that is, about the fifteenth _Olympiad_. They carved the Statues of _Apollo_, _Diana_, _Hercules_, as also of _Minerva_, which was blasted with Lightning. _Pliny_ takes Notice, that _Ambracia_, _Argos_, and _Cleone_ were full of Statues made by _Dipœnus_, tho’ he says nothing of the Statue of _Minerva_ of _Lindia_. _Cedrinus_ adds, that there was placed in the _Lausus_, the Statue of _Venus_ of _Cnidos_, which was looked upon every where as a celebrated Piece of Sculpture. It was finished by _Praxiteles_, is made of white Marble, and appears in a naked Posture. There is also a _Juno_ of _Samos_, the Workmanship of _Lysippus_ and _Bupalus_, and a winged _Cupid_, with his Quiver. This Statue was brought from _Myndus_. There was also a _Jupiter_ riding upon an Elephant, which was carved by _Phidias_, and placed in his Temple by _Pericles_. There was also another Statue made by _Lysippus_, which was bald behind, tho’ not before, which was taken for the Statue of _Saturn_. There were also erected here many Statues of Unicorns, Tygers, Beasts that were half Camels, and half Panthers; others that were half Bulls, and half Harts, besides several Statues of Vultures. The unknown Author of the History of _Constantinople_ says, That in his Time there were standing in the _Lausus_ some Eagles that were cut in Stone. I am induced to think, that there were some Figures of Birds standing there at that Time, but believe them to be the Vultures mentioned by _Cedrinus_. This Author tells us, that there stood in the _Lausus_ several fine Buildings, some Hospitals, a Place for the Entertainment of Strangers, which had very good Spring-water, and was call’d _Philoxenon_. Some Writers affirm, that the _Philoxenon_ was a _Cistern_, built by one of that Name. I look upon it to be the same _Cistern_, which was situate between the _Triclinium_ and the _Lausiacum_, and was filled up by the Order of _Heraclius_. _Menander_, surnamed the Protector, tells us, That _Philip_ of _Macedon_ cleansed most of the _Cisterns_ of the City, which _Heraclius_ commanded to be replenished with Earth. If that Prince gave Orders for the cleansing of that _Cistern_, among others, ’tis the same which lies under Ground, on the North Side of _Abraham_ the _Basha_’s House, between the _Lausiacum_, and the _Triclinium_; whose Roof is supported with four Hundred and twenty four marble Pillars, two hundred and twelve supporting the same Number of Pillars above them. I measured one of them, for they all seem to be of a Bigness, and I found it to be six Foot and nine Inches in Circumference. There is another _Cistern_ on the West Side of the same House, whose Arches are supported with thirty two _Corinthian_ Pillars, standing in four Ranges, each Range consisting of eight Pillars, whose _Shafts_ are nine Foot in Compass. As to the _Triclinium_, between which and the _Lausus_ was built the _Philoxenon_; I suppose it to be the same which _Justinian_ the _Third_ built near the Palace, and called it after his own Name, the _Triclinium_ of _Justinian_. ’Tis reported by _Cedrinus_, that this _Triclinium_ was finely beautified by the Emperor _Tiberius_. The Western Gate of this _Triclinium_ is taken Notice of by _Leo_ the _Fifth_, when he foretold that the Head of the Man which should be cut off in the _Hippodrom_ for his Tyranny, should be brought before him through the Western Gate of the _Triclinium_. Frequent Mention is made of this _Chrysotriclinium_ by Historians, who wrote just before the taking of _Constantinople_ by the _Turks_, and all the Inhabitants both knew the Name, and the Place where it stood. But the People are since fallen into such an Aversion to Learning, and a Disrelish of what is ingenious and Polite, that they rather chuse to embrace a voluntary Ignorance, and treat every Thing that is curious with Indignity and Contempt.

_The End of the Second Book._

THE ANTIQUITIES OF CONSTANTINOPLE.