Chapter VII: Book I: Chap. I (1)

_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 Fleet 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_ Fleet, 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 the 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 at 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 is 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 Straits, 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 also 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 the 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 Purpose. _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 more 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, and 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 in 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, he 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:

_These Walls by_ Theodosius’ _Royal Will,
And_ Constantinus _Prefect of the East,
In sixty Days, surprizing Speed! were built_.

Over the Gate of _Rhegium_ is this Inscription:

_Great_ Constantinus, _Prefect of the East,
In sixty Days this stately Building finish’d_.

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 other 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 commodious 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 this 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 also 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’d 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.

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 Promontory 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, 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 of 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-east 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 the 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 hundred 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 within 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 very 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_ always 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 to 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 remained 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 the _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._