Chapter XII: Book III: Chap. I (1)

_Of several Places in the fifth Ward, and the second Hill; of the_
Neorium; _of the Port nam’d the_ Bosporium; _of the_ Strategium, _and
the_ Forum _of_ Theodosius.

It was impossible for me to discover from the _Ancient Description of the Wards_, that the fifth _Ward_ stood on the North Side of the second Hill, and in a Plain at the Bottom of it, and that it descended jointly with the fourth Ward from the Ridge of the _Promontory_ to the Bay call’d _Ceras_, although the Author takes Notice that a great part of it fell down in winding Descents into the Bosom of a Plain. For this Description of it is no less agreeable to other Wards. Nor could I find out its Situation from any Buildings remaining in it, or from the Information of the most ancient Inhabitants. All the Light I could get was from the Situation of the _Phosphorian_ or, as some call it, the _Bosphorian_ Port, and the _Stairs_ of _Chalcedon_, which do not take that Name, because they are built in the Eastern Part of the City facing _Chalcedon_, for they stand full North; and so it is call’d the _Bosphorian_ Port, not from the Sea of _Bosporus_, but from a depraved Custom of the People, who pronounce it so; whereas, according to the Authorities of _Stephanus_ and _Eustathius_, they ought to call it the _Phosphorian_ Port. For these Writers assert, that it took its Name from hence; _viz._ that when _Philip_ of _Macedon_ besieged _Byzantium_, and his Soldiers were digging a Passage under Ground into the Town, the Moon, which is call’d _Phosphora_, shone out in its full Brightness, and discover’d the Stratagem; so that the _Byzantians_, the Siege being raised, call’d it the _Phosphorium_. But as they give some Reason why it may be thought the same Haven, though under different Names, yet are they silent as to its Situation, whether it stood on the Eastern, Northern, or Southern Side of the City; though it is reasonable to believe, if we consider the Situation of the Stairs of _Chalcedon_, which the _Ancient Description of the Wards_ places in the same _Ward_ with the _Bosphorian_ Haven, that it stood on the South Side of the City, and not on the East Side, although it directly faces _Chalcedon_. For the Force and Rapidity of the _Bosporus_ makes it very difficult to sail from _Chalcedon_ to the Eastern and Southern Parts of _Constantinople_; but ’tis an easy Passage to those who sail between that and _Chalcedon_, to go in or out of Port on the North Side of the City. It is observable farther, that the _Ancient Description of the Wards_ mentions no _Stairs_ which lie over-against _Chalcedon_; or if the Author had taken Notice of any, he had placed them in the first or second _Wards_, opposite to _Chalcedon_, or in the third _Ward_, which stands Southward, where the _Neorium_ or the new Dock stood, as I observ’d before. But it would be of little Significancy to enlarge on this Matter, since I shall be very particular in naming and producing such Authorities, as will make it evident, that the _Bosphorian_ Port, and the _Stairs_ of _Chalcedon_ were not only situate on the North Side of the City, but shall mention the very Place where they stood. The first Historian I shall quote is _Dionysius_, a Native of the City, who places, just without the Walls of Old _Byzantium_, the Temple of _Tellus_ upon the Bay of the _Bosporus_, and a little below it the Temple of _Ceres_ and _Proserpina_, whom he does not call _Proserpina_, but only κόρη the _Virgin_; yet by the Situation of the Place we may easily understand that Virgin to be _Hecate_, whose _Tripos_ _Cedrinus_ mentions to have been in the _Strategium_, where, or at least not far from it, as appears from the same Author, stood the Temple of _Proserpina_: But _Evagrius_ is more clear upon this Occasion, who tells us, that in the Reign of _Leo_ there happen’d a great Fire on the North Side of the City, where the Dock stood, which consumed all before it, from the _Bosphorian_ Haven, to the old Temple of _Apollo_; on the South Side, from the Port of _Julian_ to the Temple of _Concord_, in the Middle of the City, from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, to the _Taurus_; and _Zonaras_ adds, that the same Fire destroy’d all the Buildings between the North and the South Sea. _Cedrinus_ reports, that the same Fire began at the Dock, and burnt down all before it, as far as the Church of St. _John_; from whence I observe, that the _Bosphorian_ Port and the Dock were near to one another, although the Author of the _Description of the Wards_, places the former in the fifth, and the latter in the sixth _Ward_. For since both these _Wards_ join’d together, and descended from the Ridge of the _Promontory_ down to the Sea, it is not possible that they should stand at any great Distance from one another. _Zosimus_, an ancient Historian, points out the very Place where the Dock was built in his _Description_ of Old _Byzantium_. He tells us, that ’twas situate upon a Hill, which made part of the _Isthmus_, which was enclosed by the _Propontis_, and the Bay call’d _Ceras_; and adds, that the Wall of _Byzantium_ stretch’d it self over a Hill, from the Western Side of the City to the Temple of _Venus_, and the Sea facing _Chrysopolis_; and that it descended on the North Side of the City to the _Neorion_, or _New Haven_, which I take to stand near the Gate which the _Greeks_ call Ὡραῖα, and since by a Corruption of Language _Porta Neoria_, or at least not far from it. There is at present between the Seas and the _Porta Neoria_, a broad Space of Land, a Market of Merchandize and Sea Goods, which the _Turks_ call _Siphont_, or _Tsiphont_, because the _Jews_ inhabit it. It adjoins to the _Stairs_ or _Landing-place_ of _Chalcedon_, from whence they daily sail to _Scutarieum_, or _Scutaricum_, anciently call’d _Chrysopolis_, a Mart-Town, and a Port of _Chalcedon_. Near the _Stairs_ of _Chalcedon_ is the _Ferry_, whence you cross the Water to _Galata_. It was formerly called the _Sycæne Ferry_, and is placed in the _Description of the Wards_, near the _Bosphorian Haven_, or _Dock_. But the Situation of these Places seems to be somewhat chang’d, by reason of some Granaries built there, (which are removed farther into the City) or for the greater Enlargement of the Precinct of the _Seraglio_, or because they are fallen to Decay, and filled up with Earth. For at that Time, when _Philip_ of _Macedon_ undermin’d the Town, ’tis very probable that there was no Port built in that Place, which by the _Byzantians_ was afterwards call’d the _Phosphorion_. There was no building a Haven there, because of the Rising of the Springs, but the _Bosphorian_ Haven was built afterwards in another Place. And this is no more than what is said of the Dock, or the _Neorium_, which they tell you was enclosed by _Constans_, and was made a Market of Merchandize, and other naval Affairs. This Market was afterwards kept near the Port of _Julian_. Some Historians write, that _Leontius_ the Emperor, who reign’d after _Justin_, order’d the Dock to be cleansed. Others write, that there was erected, at the _Neorium_, the Figure of a large Ox in Brass, which much resembled the _Brazen Bull_. This Figure was set up in the eleventh _Ward_, which, as some modern Writers would persuade you, bellow’d once a Year, which portended great Mischief and Detriment to the City. But this I look upon to be a Fable taken out of _Callimachus_ and _Pindar_, who tell you, that upon the Mountain of _Artabyris_ in _Rhodes_, there are brazen Bulls that used to bellow upon any Calamity impending the City. There is nothing remaining of this Haven, where the Dock was at present. I gather from the Situation of the _Bosphorian_ Port, and the Stairs of _Chalcedon_, that the fifth _Ward_ stood on the Side of the second Hill, and in a Plain below it; where were also the _Bagnio’s_ of _Honorius_, the _Prytaneum_, the _Bagnio’s_ of _Eudoxia_, the Granaries of _Valentinian_ and _Constantius_, the _Thebean_ Obelisk, the _Bosphorian_ Port, the Stairs of _Chalcedon_, the Cistern of _Theodosius_, and the _Strategium_, in which was the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_. _Justinian_ in his _Constitutions_ takes Notice of the _Bagnio_ of _Achilles_ in a Letter, thus: _Our Imperial Will and Pleasure is, that the leaden Pipes, conducting the Water to the_ Achillean _Bagnio’s, contrived by your Wisdom, and purchased by your Munificence, be under the same Regulation and Management, as has been appointed by_ Theodosius _and_ Valentinian _in the like Case; and that the said Pipes shall only supply such_ Bagnio’s _and_ Nymphæa, _as your Excellency shall think fit, allowing at the same time full Power, Licence and Authority to the Apparitors of your Excellency, to enter without Fear or Molestation, such Houses and_ Bagnio’s _in the Suburbs, as they shall judge convenient, to enquire into all Evasions of this Order, and to prevent the Stoppage of the Water to the Detriment of the publick_. The Law by which _Constantine_ the _Great_ enacts, that _Constantinople_ shall be call’d _New Rome_, is inscrib’d upon a publick Pillar, near his own _Equestrian_ Statue in the _Strategium_. I find in the _Ancient Description of the Wards_, that there were three _Fora’s_ in the City, which took their Name from _Theodosius_. One was in the fifth _Ward_, and stood, as I just observ’d, in the _Strategium_; another stood in the sixth Ward, and a third in the twelfth. The two last of them were Markets for Provision, the first was the _Forum Prætorianum_, a Court of publick Justice, where the _Prætors_ presided, and this I gather from the _Treatise_ just mention’d, and which was call’d, both by the _Latins_ and _Greeks_, _Prætorium_. I am not certain, though it seems very probable to me, that this great _Prætorium_ was beautifully finish’d at the Expence and Care of the Emperor _Justin_ and _Domninus_, as will appear from the following Verses of _Paulus Silentiarius_. I shall subjoin them in order to prove, that the Word _Prætorium_ was used by the _Greeks_, as were also very many other _Latin_ Words.

Some Verses of _Paulus Silentiarius_, upon beautifying the great _Prætorium_.

_When great_ Justinus _had reform’d the World,
This noble Structure consecrate to_ Themis
_He then repair’d with fresh Increase of Beauty;
And yet some share of Praise to thee is due_,
Domninus, _skilful Architect, whose Head
Long labour’d nightly in the great Design_.

CHAP. II.

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

It had been very difficult to have discover’d, either from the Situation of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, or the Pillar of _Constantine_ still standing at _Constantinople_, or the _Description of the Wards_ (although it takes Notice of the Pillar of _Constantine_, and tells us, that the sixth Ward enters upon a short Plain, and that ’tis afterwards lengthen’d by a long Descent) whether the sixth _Ward_ had been on the North or the South Side of the City, unless the Author had added, that it reach’d from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_ down to Stairs from whence you sail over the _Sycæne_ Ferry. It was originally call’d the _Sycæne_ Ferry from _Syca_, but is now call’d _Galata_, or _Pera_, as will appear more fully, when I come to speak of it in the thirteenth _Ward_. That the fifth and sixth _Wards_ join’d together, I observ’d before from the Vicinity of the Dock, the Stairs of _Chalcedon_, the _Sycæne_ Stairs, and the _Bosphorian_ Port to each other. Having therefore discover’d the Situation of _Syca_, I take it for granted, that the Dock stood near a Plain on the Sea Shore, which was below the Foot of the second Hill, and that the Ferry Place from whence you passed over to _Syca_, is the same with that from whence you sail at present to _Galata_, and that the _Porphyry_ Pillar now standing, is the same with that mention’d by the Author of the _Description_, &c. and placed by him in the sixth _Ward_; though he takes no Notice in his Description of the sixth _Ward_, where he places the Senate-House, how near it stood to the _Forum_ or Pillar of _Constantine_. But I shall make it plain to the Reader from other Historians, in what follows, that the Senate-House stood on the North Side of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, and that this _Ward_ stood partly on the Ridge of the second Hill, where the _Porphyry_ Pillar is now standing, as is also the Poultry Market, which the _Turks_ call _Taubasor_, or _Taouck Baser_, the Dyers Shops, the House of _Ænobarbus_, a _Turkish_ Admiral, and the Mosque of _Hali-Bassa_. Part of it spreads itself also over the right Side of the second Valley, and part of it covers a Plain near the Sea, below the Valley, and the Foot of the second Hill, which is much inhabited by the _Jews_.

CHAP. III.

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

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

_To thee, O Saviour, Lord of th’ Universe,
Who rulest the unmeasurable Globe
With deepest Knowledge, I this People offer.
May they be thine, I conquer’d them for thee.
I lay m’ Imperial Sceptre at thy Feet,
With all th’ united Force, and Power of_ Rome.
_Let thy good Providence, with watchful Eye,
Look down, and guard the City from all Ills._

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

If the _Turk_, whom I employ’d to climb the Pedestal, had follow’d my Directions, (while I was obliged to appear a mere accidental Spectator) and held his Pearch true, I had discover’d the lowest Stone of the _Shaft_, from a Notch he had cut in it, to have been nine Foot and four Digits high; and the _Tore_, which projected six Digits beyond it, to have been a Foot and a half broad, I mean the _Tore_ at the Foot of the _Shaft_, so that every Stone was ten Foot nine Inches high. The Height therefore of all the eight Stones was about eighty six Foot and nine Inches. The whole Pillar was lengthen’d besides with an _Abacus_ placed on the uppermost Stone, and below with a _Pedestal_ and its _Cornice_, and four Marble Steps at the Bottom. The lowermost of these Steps is a Foot and six Digits high; the second of the same Height; the third and fourth, each of them a Foot and a half. There is no Discovery can be made, from what has been said, where this prodigious Column, or rather where this _Colossus_ stood. For since neither _Procopius_, nor any other Historian of those Times, takes any Notice of the _Forum_ call’d Πλακότον, where _Zonaras_, and other modern Writers say it was erected, I was in some Suspence, whether or no this was not the same with the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. For it seem’d very probable to me, that _Constantine_ had herein follow’d the Example of _Trajan_, in setting up his Statue in the _Forum_, which went by his own Name. But I was soon clear’d of this Difficulty, by the Authority of _Socrates_, (the Author _of the Dissensions among Christians_,) who writes, that they are one and the same Place; and that _Arius_, when he came near where the _Forum_ of _Constantine_ stood, expired with the falling of the Guts. But this is no less evident, if it be consider’d where the _Palladium_ of _Minerva_ stood; which, as _Zonaras_ says, was convey’d by the Command of _Constantine_ from _Troy_ to the _Placotum_, and as _Procopius_ adds, into the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. _The_ Hirpines, says he, _report, that_ Diomedes _met_ Æneas _coming out of_ Troy, _and that in Conformity to the Answer of the Oracle, he gave him the Image of_ Minerva, _which he, with the Assistance of_ Ulysses, _had formerly brought from_ Troy, _when they went thither to consult the Oracle, how_ Troy _might be taken. They add farther, that_ Diomedes _being indisposed, and consulting the Oracle concerning his Recovery, it was foretold by it, that he would never be well, till he had given that Image to_ Æneas. The _Romans_ pretend that they know nothing of this Image at present, yet they shew you an Image cut in Stone, which to this Day stands in the Eastern Part of the Temple of _Fortune_, before the Statue of _Minerva_. The Statue is carv’d in a War-like Posture, brandishing, as in Battle, a Spear, dress’d in a long Garment, not representing the Statue of _Minerva_, as she is figured by the _Greeks_, but as described by the _Ægyptians_. The Inhabitants tell you, that _Constantine_ order’d this Statue, which was placed in the _Forum_, call’d by his own Name, to be bury’d under Ground. The Authorities that the _Placoton_ and the _Forum_ of _Constantine_ are the same Place ought to be regarded, because it is impossible to come to the Knowledge of four of the _Wards_ without them; for the third _Ward_ contains the Tribunal of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_; the sixth reaches from the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, to the Stairs against _Sycæ_, where is erected the Pillar of _Constantine_. The seventh extends itself with continual _Portico’s_ from the Right Hand Side of the Pillar of _Constantine_ to the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_, and the eighth contains part of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. When I was ask’d by some Gentlemen who were curious that way, how _Constantine_ came by that _Palladium_, I answer’d, that I was at an Uncertainty as to that. For _Zonaras_’s Opinion of its being brought from _Troy_ did not look very probable, since _Troy_ was destroy’d so many Ages before it; and _Strabo_ is hard put to it to trace out the Place of its Situation. The Story of its being brought from ancient _Rome_ seems very improbable, since it was often destroy’d by Fire, and the Inhabitants were entirely ignorant where it originally stood. Yet the _Latin_ Historians tell us, that _Diomedes_ presented it to _Æneas_, that it was kept for some time at _Lavinium_, and that it was afterwards removed to _Rome_, and set up in the Temple of _Vesta_. The _Greek_ Historians are of another Opinion. Among these, _Pausanias_, who wrote in the Time of _Adrian_, tells us, that it was held the most sacred of any Thing in _Athens_, that it fell down from Heaven, that it was consecrated by the Advice of all the Senators, and placed in the Citadel of _Athens_. There has been some Dispute, whether it was made of Wood or Brass, and whether it was a Figure or a Shield. Some say, that it was a sacred Shield, such as they had at _Rome_. _Dion_ and _Diodorus_ think otherwise, and tell us, that it was an Image made of Wood, three Cubits high, that it fell from Heaven into _Pessinus_, a City of _Phrygia_, holding in her right Hand a Spear, in her left a Spindle and a Distaff. To me it seems to have been the Image of _Pallas_, whose Statue, whenever it was placed, was call’d the _Palladium_. _Procopius_ asserts, that the Statue which the _Romans_ shew in the Temple of _Minerva_, is not cut after the _Grecian_ Manner. For they carve her, as was mention’d before, in a fighting Posture, with a Spear in her Hand, denoting by the Spear, her Courage; by her Shield, her Wisdom, which repels all Attacks: She is cover’d with a Helmet, to intimate, that the Height of Wisdom is not to be seen and discover’d: She bears an Olive-Tree as affording Matter of Light; and upon her Breast is cut a _Medusa_, to illustrate the Quickness of Thought, and the surprizing Agility of the Mind. She had also a Breast-Plate, on which was the Figure of a Night-Owl and a _Gorgon_. The Night-Owl was an Emblem of the Depth of Prudence and Conduct; for Wisdom dives into the Secrets and Darknesses of Nature. I wish the divine _Palladium_ may guard all those, who shall in future Times attempt the same Travels as I have done, and pray that they may be defended, as I have been, by that good Providence, and that heavenly Wisdom, the Wisdom of the _Father_, which amidst all the Treacheries and Insults of a barbarous People, and the almost incredible Dangers of a long Voyage, did not only support and strengthen, but did animate, enliven, and refresh me.

CHAP. IV.

_Of the Senate-House; the_ Nympheum; _the Statues of the_ Forum _of_
Constantine; _of the_ Philadelphium; _the_ Musæum; _the_ Labarum
_and_ Syparum; _of the Death of_ Arius; _of the Temples of_ Tellus,
Ceres, Persephone; _of_ Juno _and_ Pluto.

The _Porphyry_ Pillar, and the Senate-House, is placed by the Author of the _Ancient Description of the Wards_, in the sixth _Ward_, and the _Nympheum_ in the fifth; but he does not tell us, how near they stood to one another. That they stood at a very little Distance, is evident both from _Zonaras_ and _Cedrinus_, who write, that the Fire which happen’d in the Reign of _Leo_, burnt down the Senate-House on the North Side of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, which was adorn’d with Statues of Brass and _Porphyry_ Marble, in which was placed the _Porta_ of _Diana_ of the _Ephesians_, a Present of _Trajan_, taken from the _Scythians_, containing a Description of the Wars of the Giants, a _Jupiter_ arm’d with Thunder, _Neptune_ with his Trident, _Apollo_ with his Darts and Quiver. In the lower Part of the _Porta_ were figured the Giants attacking the Dragons, tossing large Clods of Earth, and looking in a fierce and a stern Manner. Hither it was that the principal Men of the City usually convened freely to debate of the important Affairs of the Government, whither also the Emperor himself came in Procession, when he receiv’d the _Consular_ Robes. It was a very noble and magnificent Building. The same Authors mention another spacious Edifice situate against it, which was consumed by the same Fire, and was call’d the _Nympheum_, because the Marriage Rites were perform’d in this Place, as being capacious enough to hold the numerous Assemblies which attended those Solemnities. They add farther, that on the West Side of the same _Forum_ was placed a Statue of _Minerva_ of _Lyndus_. She had a Helmet on her Head, and a Shield in her Hand, on which was figured _Medusa_ with Snakes and Adders entwin’d round her Neck; for in this Manner the ancient Statuaries usually carv’d _Minerva_. On the East Side of it was placed the Statue of an _Amphitrite_, one of the _Syrens_, having her Temples encircled with Crabs Claws. The _unknown_ Author of the History of _Constantinople_ says, that on the same Side of the _Forum_ were placed the Statues of several _Syrens_, which were call’d by some Sea-Horses; three of which, he tells you, were remaining in his Time, at a Place in the Suburbs call’d St. _Mamas_. On the North Side of the _Forum_ was erected upon a lofty Pillar a Figure of that Cross which _Constantine_ saw in the Heavens. This is confirm’d by the Authority of most Historians, but principally by _Eusebius_, who although he is not express as to his setting it up in the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, yet as his Authority is not to be disputed, when he asserts, that he set it up in _Old Rome_ in the Heart of the City, ’tis reasonable to believe that he did so at _Constantinople_, since the same Writer assures us, that he set up a true Representation of the same Cross in all his finest buildings, and in the most remarkable Places of _Constantinople_. In Memory of which, as _Sozomen_ writes, _Constantine_ chang’d the most famous and most honourable War-like Standard among the _Romans_, which was always bore before their Princes, and to which the Soldiers were obliged by Law to pay divine Adoration, into the Ensign of the Cross, to bring them off from their heathenish Rites, and idolatrous Worship. _Prudentius_, upon this Occasion, has the following Lines:

Christ_’s radiant Form upon the Standard rose,
Emboss’d with sparkling Gems, and burnish’d Gold,
Which o’er the Purple Ground-work cast a Light.
No dreadful Shields hung on the blazon’d Flag_;
Christ_’s awful Name alone was there inscrib’d.
While on its Top, sure Sign of Victory,
The Cross triumphant blaz’d in costly Stones._

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

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

Upon the _Porphyry_ Pillar in the _Philadelphium_.

Muselius’ _publick Acts aloud proclaim,
A firm Attachment to the Emperor’s Service.
This fam’d_ Museum, _sacred Seat of Learning
He rais’d, and plac’d his Prince’s Picture here._

And another thus.

_This Building is an Honour to the Learn’d,
One of the City’s brightest Ornaments,
A Spur to laudable and virtuous Actions,
A great Encouragement to virtuous Men._

And again.

_The good_ Muselius, _steddily believing
The heavenly_ λόγος _to be truly God,
This Structure made an Off’ring to his Service._

_Julian_, the _Prefect_ of the City, set up a gilded Statue of _Anastasius_ before the _College_ of the Poets, on which was inscribed a Couple of elegant Verses; yet no Mention is made in them, in what Part of the City this College was built. When a Report was made to _Manuel_ the Emperor, that from antient Times, on the West Side of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, there had stood in the Nich of the Wall two female Statues made of Brass, one a _Roman_, the other an _Hungarian_ Woman; and that the Statue of the _Roman_ Woman projected, by Reason of its Craziness, beyond its Base, and the Statue of the _Hungarian_ Woman stood fixed in its Station; he sent some Workmen to erect the _Roman_, and demolish the _Hungarian_ Statue, thinking by this Means, that the Affairs of _New-Rome_ would take a new Turn of Prosperity and Success. In the same _Forum_, among other elegant Statues of famous Men, was the Statue of _Longinus_, who had been _Prefect_ of the City, on which was cut the following Inscription, made by _Arabius_.

Iberia, Persis, _and the distant_ Nile,
_The_ Solymæans, Indians, _and_ Armenians,
_With all th’ extended Regions of the West,
The_ Colchi, _bordering near to_ Caucasus,
_Which hides its tow’ring Head amongst the Clouds,
And all the flow’ry Plains of fair_ Arabia,
Longinus’ _Expedition can attest;
With what Dispatch he flew to treat of Peace,
And with what Speed successfully return’d_.

I shall take no Notice of the Statue of _Themistius_ the Philosopher, plac’d near the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, whom _Valentinian_ had dignified with the Title of _Prefect_ of the City, and to whom the Emperor _Valens_ had done more Honour by his Writings, than any Statue or high Station whatsoever. _Socrates_ gives us the following Account of the Death of _Arius_, the Ring-leader of the Sect of the _Arians_. _Arius_, says he, when he had made his Appearance before _Constantine the Great_, at his coming out of the Palace, attended by the Life-Guards, of which _Eusebius_ was Commander, and passing thro’ the City, gaz’d at by Crowds of People; when he came near the _Porphyry_ Pillar in the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, and being informed upon Enquiry, where there was a Privy, he repairs thither under a strange Terror and Despondency of Mind, where being oppressed with an uncommon falling of the Bowels, his strait Gut fell from him, which was followed by a large Effusion of Blood, which brought away his small Guts, his Liver, and his Spleen, so that he died instantly. The same Author adds, that this Privy was standing in his Time. There is nothing however remaining at present in the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, but the _Porphyry_ Pillar, for the Ground of it is wholly rebuilt upon. Near the Pillar there stands a _Caravansera_, or a Place built for the Entertainment of Strangers; and near that, a _Turkish_ Mosque, built by _Hali Bassa_, the _Vestibule_ or Porch of which is large, made of Marble, and adorned with six shining Pillars, four of white, and two of _Thebaick_ Marble; the Shafts of which measure at the bottom of them seven Foot and four Digits in Circumference. These, tho’ they are very tall Columns, have each of them, according to the _Turkish_ Manner, two _Bases_; the lowermost of which was Marble, and the other Brass. This Way of Building they learned from the _Greeks_, who generally raised their _Pedestals_ with a very high _Cornice_. Not far from this Mosque there stands a School, or College, inhabited by the Professors of the _Mahometan_ Divinity. There’s a quadrangular _Portico_ runs round it, which is supported with eighteen Pillars, Part of which consist of green, and Part of white Marble. A little below that of _Ali-Bassa_ stands another Mosque. ’Tis seated on the highest Eminence of the second Valley, and has a Marble _Vestibule_, adorned with six Columns; two of which are made of _Porphyry_ Marble variegated, two of white Marble with Sky coloured Streaks, and two of a dark green Marble stained with White. From some Things, which, as I remarked before, stood on the second Hill, you discover the Situation of Part of the third _Ward_, (in which was built the Tribunal of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_) and almost all the fifth and sixth _Ward_. I would observe also in this Place, that _Dionysius_ places the Temples of _Tellus_, _Ceres_, _Proserpina_, _Juno_ and _Pluto_, partly on the Eminencies of the second Hill, and partly on the Plain on the Sea-Shore below it. He places the Temple of _Tellus_ in particular beyond the Bay, without the Walls of _Old Byzantium_. He tells us, _That this Temple is open at Top, to shew the Freedom of the Earth in her Productions, and that the Walls of it are built of a fine polished Stone_. He adds farther, _That above the Temple of_ Tellus, _stood the Temples of_ Ceres _and_ Proserpina, _which were beautified with a large Collection of fine Paintings, the curious Reliques of preceding Times, and with Statues no Ways inferior to them, finished in the most elaborate Manner. The Temples of_ Juno _and_ Pluto, he tells us, _were situate where the Sea winds off from the Continent; and that nothing was remaining of them in his Time, but the Names of them only_. He continues, _That_ Cyrus _in his Expedition against the_ Scythians, _in Return of the Preparations made against him by the_ Byzantians, _burnt down the Temple of_ Juno; _and that_ Philip _of_ Macedon, _when he was carrying on the Siege of_ Byzantium, _and wanted some Materials for that Purpose, demolished the Temple of_ Pluto; _and that the Names of each of these Temples still continued: For the Temple of_ Pluto _was called_ Acra Plutonis, _as was the Temple of_ Juno _called_ Acra Heræa; _and lastly, that in these Temples, the Youth constantly at the Beginning and End of the Year, offered their Sacrifices_. It will appear more probable, that these _Acræ_ were seated on some Eminencies of the second Hill, rather than in the Plain below it, because there is not the least Appearance of either of them in that Place: So that when _Dionysius_ records it, that these _Acræ_ of _Pluto_ and _Juno_, were situate very near the Sea-Shore, he must intend only that they were only the _Points_ of some Dock, or Haven. If this be not his Meaning, the _Acræ_ here mentioned ought to be interpreted the _Sea-Shores_; but I have enlarged more fully on this Matter in my _Treatise of the_ Bosporus.

CHAP. V.

_Of the Seventh_ Ward.

The _Antient Description of the Wards_ tells us, that the Situation of the seventh _Ward_, in Comparison with the sixth, is more upon the Level, altho’ at the Extremity of one of its Sides, it falls with a greater Declivity into the Sea; and from hence I concluded, that there could be little Difficulty in discovering where this _Ward_ stood. But this Description of it is not peculiar to it, but common also to other _Wards_. For as to what the Author adds, that this _Ward_ stretches it self with very long _Portico’s_ from the _Right Hand_ of the Pillar of _Constantine_, to the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_; as it does also on the other Side of it down to the Sea-Shore, extended in the same Manner: I could make no more Observations from this Account of it, than I could from the Buildings which are mentioned to be contained in it, since the very Remembrance of them is entirely lost. I therefore considered with my self, what the Author might probably be understood to mean by the _Right Hand_ of the Pillar of _Constantine_. In this Difficulty I had Recourse to _Livy_, who says, that _Romulus_ has determined all the _Wards_, which reach from East to West, to be the Right Hand _Wards_, and all the _Wards_ which extended from South to North to be Left Hand _Wards_. But I could not explain the Difficulty this Way; for by this Means I had made this _Ward_ to stretch it self Southward; whereas I shall shew plainly in another Place, that it extended it self to the North. Nor could the _Geographical_ Method give me any Light into this Matter; for when these Gentlemen take the Altitude of the Pole, they look full North, so that the East lies directly on their Right Hand. _Varro_, who has defined to an Exactness the four Parts of the Heavens, following the _Astrological Scheme_, has given me some Insight into this Matter: He tells us, that the South lies directly before us, and the North behind us, so that the East lies to the left Hand, and the West to the Right. I judged by this Division of the Heavens into four Parts, that the seventh _Ward_ was situate Westward of the Pillar of _Constantine_; and yet was in Suspence, whether the Author _of the Description_ followed the Division of _Romulus_, or that of the _Astrologers_. I was therefore under greater Hesitation than I was before, till after a diligent Enquiry I made a Discovery where the Column of _Theodosius_ stood, and of some Footsteps of the Churches of _Anastasia_ and _Hirena_, by which I perceived that the seventh _Ward_ descended from the Top of the _Promontory_ down to the Bay, and that this Author had described its Situation more distinctly, had he told us, that as you go from East to West, the seventh _Ward_ extends it self on the right Hand, from the Pillar of _Constantine_, to the _Forum_ of _Theodosius_. In this _Ward_ antiently were erected several fine Buildings, which stood on the same Ground where the most famous Place of Merchandize in the City, by the _Turks_ called _Bezestan_, or their _Exchange_, stands at present, and where the most valuable Goods of all Kinds are kept, as they were in the Reigns of the _Christian_ Emperors, in the Building called the _Lampterum_, which I believe formerly stood in another Place. I am prevailed upon to be of this Opinion, when I consider the Ruines occasioned by the Fire, which happened in the Reign of _Justinian_; and which, as _Cedrinus_ relates, destroyed, among other Edifices, the Church of St. _Sophia_, the Place where they kept the _Records_ of it, the _Octogon_, the Baths of _Zeuxippus_, and the famous Structure of the _Lampterum_, so called, by reason of the _Lights_ burning there every Night. This Building was roofed with Wood, where the most costly Commodities, such as Silks, Velvets, and the richest _Brocades_ were reposited. In short, this Fire consumed every Thing, which the former Fire had spar’d. I might not improperly have called it λαμπτῆρες, which in _Latin_ signifies _Lucernæ_, as ’tis confirmed by the Authorities of _Livy_ and _Pliny_.

CHAP. VI.

_Of the Street called_ Taurus, _the_ Forum _of_ Theodosius, _the
Pillar of_ Theodosius _with Winding Stairs, of the_ Tetrapylum, _the_
Pyramidical _Engine of the Winds, the Statues of_ Arcadius _and_
Honorius, _of the Churches of_ Hirena _and_ Anastasia, _and the Rocks
called_ Scyronides.