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In Four Books. Written Originally in Latin by Petrus Gyllius a Byzantine Historian.
In Four Books. Written Originally in Latin by Petrus Gyllius a Byzantine Historian.
Now Translated into English , and Enlarged with an Ancient Description of the Wards of that CITY, as they stood in the Reigns of Arcadius and Honorius . With Pancirolus’s Notes thereupon. To which is added A large Explanatory Index . By John Ball , formerly of C. C. C. Oxon. LONDON. Printed for the Benefit of the Translator, 1729. J. Tinney Sculp....
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TO Richard Banner, Esq; OF PERRY-HALL, IN THE County of STAFFORD.
TO Richard Banner, Esq; OF PERRY-HALL, IN THE County of STAFFORD.
Sir , No sooner had my Inclinations prevail’d upon me to publish this Author, but my Gratitude directed me where I should make the Dedication. These Labours are yours by many Obligations. Your Services to me demand them, you have express’d a particular Esteem for Pieces of this Kind, you have assisted me with a valuable Collection of Books in the Translation of them, and you have encourag’d the Performance by the Interest of your Friends; so that if there be any Merit in the Publication of it, ’
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THE PREFACE OF THE TRANSLATOR.
THE PREFACE OF THE TRANSLATOR.
IT is customary upon a Translation to give some Account both of the Author, and his Writings. The Author Petrus Gyllius, as he stands enroll’d among the Men of Eminency, and Figure in polite Learning, I find to be a Native of Albi, in France. He was in great Reputation in the sixteenth Century, and was look’d upon as a Writer of so good a Taste, and so comprehensive a Genius, that there was scarce any thing in the polite Languages, which had escap’d him. As he had a particular Regard for Men of
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THE PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR, Describing the Situation of Constantinople, the Conveniences of its Port, and the Commodities in which it abounds.
THE PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR, Describing the Situation of Constantinople, the Conveniences of its Port, and the Commodities in which it abounds.
Constantinople is situated after such a Manner in a Peninsula , that ’tis scarce bounded by the Continent; for on three Sides ’tis inclosed by the Sea. Nor is it only well fortified by its natural Situation, but ’tis also well guarded by Forts, erected in large Fields, extending from the City at least a two Day’s Journey, and more than twenty Miles in Length. The Seas that bound the Peninsula are Pontus , or the Black Sea , the Bosporus , and the Propontis . The City is inclosed by a Wall former
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Chap. I. Of the Founders of Byzantium, and the different Successes and Revolutions of that City.
Chap. I. Of the Founders of Byzantium, and the different Successes and Revolutions of that City.
It is recorded by Stephanus and Pausanias , that Byzantium , now call’d Constantinople , was first founded by Byzas the Son of Neptune and Ceroessa , or by a Person named Byzes , Admiral of the 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
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Chap. II. Of the Extent of Old Byzantium.
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
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Chap. III. Of the Rebuilding of Byzantium by Constantine the Great, and the Largeness of it in his Time.
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 Aqueduct
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Chap. IV. Of the present Figure, Compass, Length and Breadth of Constantinople.
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
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Chap. V. A general Description of Constantinople.
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 B
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Chap. VI. Of the Situation of all the Parts of the City describ’d.
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
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Chap. VII. Of the first Hill, of the Palace of the Grand Seignor, of the Church of St. Sophia, and the Hippodrom.
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
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Chap. VIII. Of the first Valley.
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; on
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Chap. IX. Of the second Hill.
Chap. IX. Of the second Hill.
THE Ridge of the Promontory rising a little higher, and the two Valleys adjoining to it, make the second Hill. The first Valley divides, at East, the first from the second Hill; the other Valley, Westward, divides the second from the third. On the North ’tis bounded by a Plain on the Sea Shore. The Ridge of the Promontory extends from South to North to the Distance of one thousand Paces in Length, and four hundred in Breadth. The different Breadth of the Vales varies the Breadth of the whole Hil
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Chap. X. Of the second Valley, which divides the second from the third Hill.
Chap. X. Of the second Valley, which divides the second from the third Hill.
THAT Valley which divides the second from the third Hill, begins at the Promontory , and ends in the Plain adjoining to the Sea. It contains in it the Fish-Market and the Ferry, whence you cross the Water to Syca . From hence to the Entrance of the Valley, a Plain expands itself to the Breadth of four hundred Paces so much upon the Level, that the Water falls from thence into the Bay with almost an imperceptible Descent. When it has contracted itself into the narrow Compass of two hundred Paces
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Chap. XI. Of the third Hill.
Chap. XI. Of the third Hill.
THE third Hill is bounded on each Side by two Valleys: That which lies to the East, divides it from the second Hill, the Western Valley divides it from the fourth. The Ridge of this Hill is above a thousand Paces in Length. It shoots from the Top of the Promontory Southward, Northward to the Bay of Ceras , almost in an equal Height. The second Hill on the contrary falls with a surprizing Descent, from the utmost Height of the Promontory , to the lowest Plain on the Bay Shore. The third Hill, at
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Chap. XII. Of the third Valley.
Chap. XII. Of the third Valley.
THE third Valley, which lies between the third and the fourth Hill, seems to be a double Valley; for in the Middle of it, it rises high, which makes it doubtful whether it be a part of the Valley, or the Promontory . That the Height of it is a part of the Valley, seems plain from the Height of the Arches, which reach from one Side of the Valley to the other; and it may be look’d upon to be the Ridge of the Promontory , from the Descent of the extreme Parts of it falling to the right and left, on
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Chap. XIII. Of the fourth Hill.
Chap. XIII. Of the fourth Hill.
THE fourth Hill is enclosed with two Valleys, the Ridge of the Promontory , and the Shore of the Bay. Upon the Side of it stands the Tomb of Mahomet , (who took Constantinople ) several Caravansera’s and Bagnio’s . It is above three thousand six hundred Paces in Compass. The Length, from the Ridge of it to the Bay, is a thousand Paces; the Breadth of it, from East to West, is at least eight hundred. As you take a View of it from the Top, stretching in a Square towards the Bay, you perceive it to
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Chap. XIV. Of the Fifth Hill.
Chap. XIV. Of the Fifth Hill.
THE Bottom of the fifth Hill, on the Top of which stands the Tomb of Selymus the Emperor, as bounded partly by the Bay, and partly by an Eastern and Western Valley, is four thousand Paces in Compass. The Pitch of this Hill hangs so far over the Bay Northward, and the Pitch of the fourth Hill lies so low towards the same Point, that the fourth Hill seems to be a kind of Valley, situate between the third, and the fifth Hill. For the fifth Hill does not join at Top, and continue the Ridge of the Pr
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Chap. XV. Of the Fifth Valley.
Chap. XV. Of the Fifth Valley.
THE fifth Valley, which divides the fifth from the sixth Hill, winding from North to South, is as long as the Promontory is broad; that is, about twelve hundred Paces; the first eight hundred of which have no Ascent. The Valley, at the first Entrance into it, is at least four hundred Paces broad, but is afterwards straitned into half that Breadth; and yet to the Length of six hundred Paces, ’tis in no Place less than two hundred Paces broad. Farther, ’tis at least five hundred Paces wide. Above
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Chap. XVI.
Chap. XVI.
THE sixth Hill is just as long as the Promontory is broad, which is widen’d upon this Hill to the Breadth of two thousand four hundred Paces. The City Walls shoot over the Ridge, and the North Side of it down to the Sea Shore. You descend gradually from the Top of it within the Walls; without the Walls it lies upon a Level, and is join’d to the Continent by a Field in the Suburbs. The broadest part of it is not above eight hundred Paces, the narrowest but four hundred. It descends with a treble
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Chap. XVII. Of the Valley which divides the Promontory from the seventh Hill.
Chap. XVII. Of the Valley which divides the Promontory from the seventh Hill.
THE Valley which divides the seventh from the six Hills of the Promontory , is an easy Descent. It extends itself in Length to the Distance of four thousand Paces, if you take in the Plain on the Sea Shore. If you exclude that, and take your Dimensions from the winding of the seventh Hill, ’tis not above three thousand three hundred Paces long. It lies so much upon a Level, that you cannot perceive by walking it, that it has the least Ascent; yet you may discover by the Discernment of the Eye th
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Chap. XVIII. Of the seventh Hill.
Chap. XVIII. Of the seventh Hill.
THE seventh Hill is called the Xerolophos , on which stands the Pillar of Arcadius . This Hill is little less than twelve thousand Paces in Circumference, and contains more than a third Part of the City. The other two Parts are comprehended in the Compass of the Promontory , which is above twenty thousand Paces in Circumference. By Paces , I would here be thought to mean the ordinary Steps we take in Walking, which I cannot exactly reduce to a just Mensuration with the Roman Pace , by reason of
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Chap. XIX. Of the Walls of the City.
Chap. XIX. Of the Walls of the City.
THE Walls of Constantinople , in some Places, are built with squared Free-stone, in others with rough Stone, and in many Places with an Intermixture of Brick and Stone together. The Walls on the Land Side are double, secured with a large Ditch five and twenty Paces broad. One of the Walls is carry’d somewhat farther than the Length of the Ditch, and is very strongly fortified. These Walls stand at eighteen Foot Distance from each other. The inward Wall is very lofty, and more than twenty Foot in
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Chap. XX. Of the Gates of Constantinople, and the seven Towers of Old Byzantium.
Chap. XX. Of the Gates of Constantinople, and the seven Towers of Old Byzantium.
THE Walls on the Side of the Continent have six Gates; one within the Palace of Constantine , another, which is call’d the Adrianopolitan Gate, and a third on the Brow of the seventh Hill. Besides these, there is the Porta Aurea or Gilded Gate , the Gate of Selymbria or Rhegium , and the Gate of the seven Towers. On the Side of the Bay Ceras is the Gate of the Blachernæ , at present call’d Xyloporta , seated near the third Angle of the City. There are also the Gates call’d Cynigos , or Porta Pal
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Chap. XXI. Of the long Walls.
Chap. XXI. Of the long Walls.
THE Suburbs and Fields adjoining were inclosed with Walls of such an immoderate Length, that they extended themselves from the City to the Distance of a two Days Journey. They were built by Anastasius the Emperor to prevent the Incursions of the Scythians and Bulgarians , reach’d from the Black Sea to the Propontis , were forty thousand Paces remote from the City, and twenty Roman Foot in Breadth. These Walls were often taken and batter’d by the barbarous Nations, but repair’d by Justinian ; and
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Chap. I. Of the Buildings and Monuments of Old Byzantium and Constantinople, called New Rome.
Chap. I. Of the Buildings and Monuments of Old Byzantium and Constantinople, called New Rome.
Having describ’d the Figure and Extent of the City, and having particularized the Situation of the seven Hills , I shall proceed to consider what Buildings and Monuments Constantinople anciently had, or now has, and into how many Wards it was divided. For when I accidentally fell upon this Division of the City into Wards , in an ancient Manuscript written above one thousand Years ago, by a Gentleman more noble by his Birth than his Writings, I was in hopes, with some Ease, to have traced out the
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Chap. II. Of the Ancient Monuments of the first Hill, and of the first Ward of the City.
Chap. II. Of the Ancient Monuments of the first Hill, and of the first Ward of the City.
THE first Hill, which Pliny sometimes calls Chrysoceras , and sometimes Auri Cornu , (though this was a Mistake, as appears from what I have wrote concerning the Thracian Bosporus ) Dionysius a Byzantian calls the Promontory of the Bosporus . There are two Reasons assigned , says he, why ’tis call’d the Promontory of the Bosporus; the one is, as some say, because a Cow stung with a Gad-Bee forded over it. Others more fabulously report, that Io, the Daughter of Inachus, being changed into a Cow,
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Chap. III. Of the Church of St. Sophia.
Chap. III. Of the Church of St. Sophia.
THE modern Writers among the Greeks will have it, that the Church of St. Sophia was first built by the Emperor Constantius , the Son of Constantine the Great , and arch’d at Top, not with Brick-work, but a wooden Roof. In the Time of Theodosius , when the second Synod was held there, the Arians rising in Sedition, burnt it. It was after rebuilt by Theodosius the Great , and beautified with Arches of a cylindrick Form. The same Writer tells us, that it was burnt a second time in the Reign of Just
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Chap. IV. A Description of the Church of St. Sophia, as it now appears.
Chap. IV. A Description of the Church of St. Sophia, as it now appears.
THE Walls and Roof of this Church are built with Brick. The Inside of the Walls of the Church are incrusted with elegant Marble of several Kinds. All its Materials are the most valuable Productions of Nature, so that the Prospect of it employs the Thoughts of the Spectator with Delight and Admiration. The Roof of it is a surprizing Piece of gilded Mosaick Work, which reflects such a Lustre upon the Eye, that even the Barbarians who behold it, are wonderfully taken with the Sight of it. This Roof
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Chap. V. Of the Statues discover’d on one Side of the Church of St. Sophia.
Chap. V. Of the Statues discover’d on one Side of the Church of St. Sophia.
ON the Side of the Church of St. Sophia , says Suidas , were discovered more than seventy Statues of the Grecian Deities, the Figures of the twelve Signs of the Zodiack , and no less than eighty Statues of Christian Princes and Emperors, which, when Justinian had commanded to be placed in several Parts of the City, he built the great Church. I could give the Reader an Account of the Names of these Deities from an unknown Author, who has wrote a Treatise of Constantinople , and the adjacent Count
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Chap. VI. Of the Pharo on the Promontory Ceras, and the Mangana.
Chap. VI. Of the Pharo on the Promontory Ceras, and the Mangana.
Ammianus Marcellinus writes, that there was built near the Promontory Ceras , a high Watch-Tower, which was call’d Pharos , and was a Guide to the Ships at a great Distance. The Situation of this Pharos , in all Probability, was near the Church of St. Sophia . For from what Part of the City could it spread a more convenient and diffusive Light to those who sail’d out of the Bosporus and the Propontis ? Dionysius calls it the Bosporian Promontory , and tells us, that Io , the Daughter of Inachus
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Chap. VII. Of the Bagnio’s of Zeuxippus and its Statues.
Chap. VII. Of the Bagnio’s of Zeuxippus and its Statues.
THESE Bagnio’s were so call’d, as Cedrinus relates, because they were built in a Place, where formerly had stood the Temple of Jupiter Zeuxippus . This is said of them by Eusebius , who writes, That there are some of Opinion, that the fine Bathing-place at Constantinople took its Name from the famous Painter Zeuxes, whose Pieces adorn’d it . I collect that it stood near the Church of St. Sophia , not only from the Treatise of the ancient Description of the City, which places them both in the sam
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Chap. VIII. Of the Hospitals of Sampson and Eubulus.
Chap. VIII. Of the Hospitals of Sampson and Eubulus.
THERE was built , as Procopius says, a Hospital for the Relief of poor and sick People. It was founded in ancient Times by a holy Man, whose Name was Sampson. But it did not escape the Flames, occasion’d by a riotous Mob, which burnt down that and the Church of St. Sophia. It was rebuilt by Julian, who beautify’d and enlarged it with a Multitude of small handsome Apartments, and afterwards endow’d it with a yearly Stipend, for the Support and Comfort of the miserable and distressed. But the good
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Chap. IX. Of the Statue of Eudoxia Augusta, for which St. Chrysostom was sent into Banishment.
Chap. IX. Of the Statue of Eudoxia Augusta, for which St. Chrysostom was sent into Banishment.
S ocrates and Sozomen , Writers of sacred History, tells us, that a Silver Statue of Eudoxia Augusta was erected upon a Porphyry Pillar on the South Side of the Church of St. Sophia , though at some Distance from it, near the Senate-House . The People commonly paid their Homage and Acclamations to this Statue. There were publick Entertainments of Dancing, and other mimical Gestures acted before it, according to a Custom which had long prevail’d, of paying Adoration to the Images of Princes. St.
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Chap. X. Of those Parts of the City which are contain’d in the third Ward.
Chap. X. Of those Parts of the City which are contain’d in the third Ward.
THE third Ward is discover’d to have been that Space of Ground upon which stood the Hippodrom , the House of Abraham Bassa , the Gate of Leo , and the Haven which the Inhabitants call the Caterga Limena , where the Three-oar’d Galleys used to anchor, and so on to the Top of the second Hill, as far as the Forum of Constantine . I made this Observation, not only from the Order the Wards stand in, but also from the Treatise of the Description of the Wards , which says, that the third Ward , at the
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Chap. XI. Of the Hippodrom, its Obelisk, its Statues, and Columns.
Chap. XI. Of the Hippodrom, its Obelisk, its Statues, and Columns.
Modern Historians, as Zonaras and others, write, that the Hippodrom was built by Severus upon his Reconciliation with the Byzantians . Zosimus , a more ancient Writer tells us, that it was built, and curiously beautified by Constantine the Great , part of which he made the Temple of Castor and Pollux , whose Images remain’d in the Portico’s of the Hippodrom down to his Time; that is, ’till the Reign of Theodosius the Less . In the middle of the Circo , which the Greeks call the Hippodrom , there
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Chap. XII. Of the Colossus.
Chap. XII. Of the Colossus.
THERE is yet standing, in the Middle of the Hippodrom , a Colossus made of square Stones, which was formerly (as an injudicious Author writes) incrusted with Marble; but, as appears by an Inscription carv’d upon its Basis , ’twas cover’d with Plates of Brass, cramp’d together with Iron, as appears not only by the Holes made in the Shaft, but by those which still remain in the Base ; where the Iron Pins were fasten’d, and strengthen’d with melted Lead. ’Tis now despoil’d of its outward beauteous
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Chap. XIII. Of some other Columns in the Hippodrom.
Chap. XIII. Of some other Columns in the Hippodrom.
ABOUT the Middle of the Hippodrom , among a strait Range of small Obelisks , there stand seven Pillars. One of which, made of Arabian Marble, is seventeen Foot and eight Digits in Circumference. There was erected upon the Top of it, by one Abraham a Basha, the Statue of Hercules . It was cast in Brass, and made of the Spoils which he had taken in Hungary ; but upon the Death of Abraham , Hercules , who was reported to have travell’d so many Countries, and tam’d so many Monsters, was at last forc
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Chap. XIV. Of the Church of Bacchus, the Court of Hormisda, and the House of Justinian.
Chap. XIV. Of the Church of Bacchus, the Court of Hormisda, and the House of Justinian.
IT is observable from the Situation of the Church of Bacchus and Sergius , now standing on the Plain between the Propontis and the Hippodrom , that the Imperial Palace, and the House Justinian lived in, before he was Emperor, stood near it. Procopius writes, that Justinian built a Church, and dedicated it to St. Peter and St. Paul . It stood near the Imperial Court, where formerly had stood a Palace built by Hormisda . This, Justinian made a Mansion-house for himself, that the Beauty and Eleganc
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Chap. XV. Of the Port of Julian, and Sophia; of the Portico nam’d Sigma, and the Palace of Sophia.
Chap. XV. Of the Port of Julian, and Sophia; of the Portico nam’d Sigma, and the Palace of Sophia.
NEAR the Church of Bacchus , stood the Port of Julian . This is plain from the Account we have of the Fire, which happen’d in the Reign of Leo the Great , and as Evagrius tells us, began on the North-side of the City, and destroy’d all before it, from the Bosporian Port, to the old Temple of Apollo ; and that on the South-side of the City, it made the same Havock from the Port of Julian , to the Houses near the Temple of Concord . Zonaras writes, who has described the Devastations of that Fire,
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Chap. XVI. Of the Fourth Ward.
Chap. XVI. Of the Fourth Ward.
IF the Miliarium Aureum had been now in Being, or the People of Constantinople had preserved the Memory of its Situation, we might easily discover, from the antient Description of the Wards , (which tells us, that the fourth Ward extended it self, the Hills rising on the Right and Left, from the Miliarium Aureum to a plain level Ground) that it was in the first Valley, or on the Ridge of the Hill that arises just above it. Nor could we have failed to make the like Discovery from the Remains of t
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Chap. XVII. Of the Forum called the Augustæum, of the Pillar of Theodosius, and Justinian, and the Senate-House.
Chap. XVII. Of the Forum called the Augustæum, of the Pillar of Theodosius, and Justinian, and the Senate-House.
Procopius writes, that the Forum which was formerly called the Augustæum , was surrounded with Pillars, and was situate before the Imperial Palace. Not only the Forum is at present quite defaced, but the very Name of it is lost, and the whole Ground where it stood is built upon. The Palace is entirely in Ruines, yet I collect from the Pedestal of a Pillar of Justinian lately standing, but now removed by the Turks , which Procopius says was built by Justinian in the Augustæum , and Zonaras in the
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Chap. XVIII. Of the Imperial Palace, the Basilica; of the Palace of Constantine, and the House of Entrance nam’d Chalca.
Chap. XVIII. Of the Imperial Palace, the Basilica; of the Palace of Constantine, and the House of Entrance nam’d Chalca.
NOT far from the Forum Augusteum , as Procopius writes, stood a Palace, the Statelyness and Magnificence of which the Reader may easily guess at from the Description he gives of the Vestibulum , or the House of Entrance into it. This Vestibulum is call’d the Chalca , which is made after this Manner. There are four strait Walls carried up to a great Height in a quadrangular Figure, from each Angle of which there projects a Stone Building curiously finish’d, which rises with the Wall from Top to B
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Chap. XIX. Of the Basilica, and the Imperial Walks.
Chap. XIX. Of the Basilica, and the Imperial Walks.
THE Basilica , which, as I observed before, stood in the Forum Augusteum , had four Arches, as appears from the ancient following Inscriptions on them. Upon an Arch in the Basilica of Byzantium . And on another Part of the same Arch: Calliades , General of the Byzantian Army, plac’d the Statues of Byzas and Phidalia in the Basilica , with this Inscription upon them: And on the Statue of Phidalia : Pliny , among other Statuaries, mentions Anthermus of Chios , and his Sons Biopalus and Anthermus .
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Chap. XX. Of the Imperial Library, and Portico; as also of the Imperial Cistern.
Chap. XX. Of the Imperial Library, and Portico; as also of the Imperial Cistern.
THE Imperial Palace, says Zonaras , stood near the Basilica , hard by the Brasiers Shops. The Basilica was furnished with many Volumes, both of human and divine Learning. It was anciently the Mansion House of some Person of distinguished Knowledge, whom they called the President or Master. He had under him twelve Assistants, excellently well skilled in the Art of Reasoning, who were maintained at the publick Charge. They had each of them several Pupils under them, who were instructed in the Meth
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Chap. XXI. Of the Chalcopratia.
Chap. XXI. Of the Chalcopratia.
IT is plain from what has been observed, that the Chalcopratia , or Places where they work’d their Brass, stood near the Basilica . Cedrinus reports, That Theodosius the Less built the Church of the Chalcopratia , and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary . Others say, that the Jews , who had lived there from the Time of Constantine the Great , had obliged Theodosius the Less to retire from thence, and built that Church; and that afterwards, when it had been shatter’d by an Earthquake, it was rebuilt
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Chap. XXII. Of the Portico’s situate between the Palace, and the Forum of Constantine.
Chap. XXII. Of the Portico’s situate between the Palace, and the Forum of Constantine.
BESIDES the Imperial Portico , which stood near the Library, there were also other Portico’s at a little Distance from it, which reach’d from the Palace to the Forum of Constantine . The first Fire, which happen’d in the Reign of Justinian , consumed the Palace and the Church of St. Sophia , both the long Portico ’s, as far as the Forum of Constantine . Cedrinus says, that besides these, it destroy’d also the Chalca and the Augusteum . The Fire that happen’d afterwards in the Reign of Basiliscus
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Chap. XXIII. Of the Miliarium Aureum and its Statues, and of the Fortune of the City, and her Statue.
Chap. XXIII. Of the Miliarium Aureum and its Statues, and of the Fortune of the City, and her Statue.
THE Miliarium Aureum was a gilded Pillar, from whence they used to adjust the Mensuration of their Miles, and the Distances from the City. Pliny tells us, that it was set up at Rome in the highest Ground of the publick Forum ; but whether the Miliarium at Constantinople was like that of Rome , the Greek Historians have been so far from declaring their Opinions concerning it, that in all their Writings they have not so much as mention’d the Name of it. Yet it seems very probable to me, that it wa
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Chap. XXIV. Of the Temple of Neptune, of the Church of St. Mina, (or Menna) of the Stadia, and the Stairs of Timasius.
Chap. XXIV. Of the Temple of Neptune, of the Church of St. Mina, (or Menna) of the Stadia, and the Stairs of Timasius.
I Cannot omit taking Notice of the Church of St. Mina , because it shews in what Part of the City the fourth Ward stood, which contained the Basilica , the Augusteum , and the Church of St. Mina . The History of an unknown Author reports, that Byzas formerly built a Temple to Neptune , near the Acropolis , by the Sea, where, he says, that in his Time stood the Church of St. Mina the Martyr; though he seems to contradict himself, where he says, that the Church of St. Mina was formerly the Temple
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Chap. XXV. Of the Lausus, and its Statues; namely, a Venus of Cnidos, a Juno of Samos, a Minerva of Lindia, a winged Cupid, a Jupiter Olympius, a Saturn, Unicorns, Tygers, Vultures, Beasts that are half Camels, and half Panthers; of the Cistern of the Hospital called Philoxenos, and the Chrysotriclinium.
Chap. XXV. Of the Lausus, and its Statues; namely, a Venus of Cnidos, a Juno of Samos, a Minerva of Lindia, a winged Cupid, a Jupiter Olympius, a Saturn, Unicorns, Tygers, Vultures, Beasts that are half Camels, and half Panthers; of the Cistern of the Hospital called Philoxenos, and the Chrysotriclinium.
THE Lausus is a Place celebrated in the Writings of many Historians, some of whom write, that it was the House of Lausus a Patrician, who bore many Offices in the Reign of Arcadius , the Son of Theodosius the Great , and that he adorned his House with many famous Monuments of Antiquity. There is a Book still extant, under the Title of Lausaicus , which was wrote by Heraclidas , Bishop of Cappadocia , and inscribed to Lausus . In what Part of the City this Place was, no Authors mention; but ’tis
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Chap. I. Of several Places in the fifth Ward, and the second Hill; of the Neorium; of the Port nam’d the Bosporium; of the Strategium, and the Forum of Theodosius.
Chap. I. Of several Places in the fifth Ward, and the second Hill; of the Neorium; of the Port nam’d the Bosporium; of the Strategium, and the Forum of Theodosius.
IT was impossible for me to discover from the Ancient Description of the Wards , that the fifth Ward stood on the North Side of the second Hill, and in a Plain at the Bottom of it, and that it descended jointly with the fourth Ward from the Ridge of the Promontory to the Bay call’d Ceras , although the Author takes Notice that a great part of it fell down in winding Descents into the Bosom of a Plain. For this Description of it is no less agreeable to other Wards. Nor could I find out its Situat
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Chap. II. Of the sixth Ward, and the remaining ancient Buildings of the second Hill.
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 th
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Chap. III. Of the Porphyry Pillar, the Forum of Constantine, and the Palladium.
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
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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.
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 M
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Chap. V. Of the Seventh Ward.
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 lon
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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.
Chap. VI. Of the Street called Taurus, the Forum of Theodosius, the Pillar of Theodosius with Winding Stairs, of the Tetrapylum, the Pyramidical Engine of the Winds, the Statues of Arcadius and Honorius, of the Churches of Hirena and Anastasia, and the Rocks called Scyronides.
WHEN I was quite out of Heart as to Discovery of the seventh Ward , and the Taurus , without which no Discovery could be made of the eighth Ward , I made the best Enquiry I could after some other Buildings, which might lead me into the Knowledge of them. And after I had searched for the Situation of the Pillar of Theodosius for a considerable Time, I was informed by some antient Persons, that it stood on the Top of the Promontory , where the Plain of the third Hill extends it self, which is near
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Chap. VII. Of the eighth Ward, and the Hind-part of the third Hill.
Chap. VII. Of the eighth Ward, and the Hind-part of the third Hill.
I Cannot find by the Ancient Description of the Wards , that the eighth Ward was situate on the South Side of the third Hill, though it says, that the eighth Ward , on the Side of the Taurus , is not bounded by the Sea, and may be look’d upon to be rather a narrow than a broad Piece of Ground, though this Defect is sufficiently amended by its great Length. For by this Description of it, I am left altogether in Suspence, whether it lye North or South. But I discover the Situation of the eighth Wa
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Chap. VIII. Of the ninth Ward; of the Temple of Concord; of the Granaries of Alexandria and Theodosius; of the Baths of Anastasia, of the House of Craterus; of the Modius, and the Temple of the Sun and Moon.
Chap. VIII. Of the ninth Ward; of the Temple of Concord; of the Granaries of Alexandria and Theodosius; of the Baths of Anastasia, of the House of Craterus; of the Modius, and the Temple of the Sun and Moon.
THAT the ninth Ward was situate behind the third Hill, partly on the Clifts which lye under the Ridge of it, and partly on those which lye at the Bottom of it, and partly on the Shore of the Propontis , extending itself as far as the Gardens call’d Blanchæ ; I am convinced, among other Authorities, principally by the Author of the Description , &c. who says, that the ninth Ward is all a Declivity, and bounded by the Sea, as also from the Account he gives of the eighth Ward , which as it
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Chap. IX. Of the third Valley, and the tenth Ward; of the House of Placidia, and her Palace; of the Aqueduct of Valentinian, the Bagnio’s of Constantine, and the Nympheum.
Chap. IX. Of the third Valley, and the tenth Ward; of the House of Placidia, and her Palace; of the Aqueduct of Valentinian, the Bagnio’s of Constantine, and the Nympheum.
THAT the tenth Ward extended itself towards the North, and that it was situate in the third Valley, and on the East Side of it; as also on the Top of the Promontory , rising above the third Valley, is evident from the Author of the Description of the Wards , who writes, that the tenth Ward is divided from the ninth by a broad Way; that it lies much more upon the Level; that ’tis in no part of it uneven, but near the Sea Shore; that ’tis of a proportionable Length and Breadth; and that it contain
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Chap. I. Of the Eleventh Ward, and of the Fourth and Fifth Hills.
Chap. I. Of the Eleventh Ward, and of the Fourth and Fifth Hills.
I h ad been at a Loss to discover the eleventh Ward , (which, tho’ the ancient Description of the Wards mentions to have been wider in Compass than the Tenth, and in no Part of it bounded by the Sea; as also that it partly consisted of a Level, and partly of a rising Ground) unless the Author had subjoin’d, that it contain’d also the Church of the Apostles , And tho’ at present there’s nothing remaining of that Church, yet I was inform’d by some ancient People of Constantinople , who told me, th
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Chap. II. Of the Church of the Apostles, the Sepulchre of Constantine the Great, the Cistern of Arcadius and Modestus, of the Palace of Placilla, and the Brazen Bull.
Chap. II. Of the Church of the Apostles, the Sepulchre of Constantine the Great, the Cistern of Arcadius and Modestus, of the Palace of Placilla, and the Brazen Bull.
’TIS attested by Eusebius , That Constantine the Great built the Church of the Apostles to a great Heighth, that he incrusted it with all Sorts of variegated Marble, which cast a beautiful Lustre from Top to Bottom; that he adorn’d it with small gilded Roofs, and cover’d it with Plates of Brass deeply gilt, which cast a blazing Reflexion to a great Distance. The upper Part of this venerable Structure, was curiously wrought all round it with Brass and Gold, and was enlightned with Abundance of La
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Chap. III. Of the Sixth Hill, and the Fourteenth Ward.
Chap. III. Of the Sixth Hill, and the Fourteenth Ward.
THE Author of the Description of the Wards relates, that the fourteenth Ward , though it is looked upon as a Part of the City, yet because it is divided from the other Wards by an intermediate Space of Land, and enclosed with its own Walls, makes the Figure of a small City by it self; and adds, among other Particularities, that the Entrance of it, at the Gate, is somewhat upon the Level; but the right Side of it, rising into an Ascent, almost to the Middle of the broad Way, falls into a deep Asc
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Chap. IV. Of the Hepdomum, a Part of the Suburbs; of the Triclinium of Magnaura; of the Cyclobion; of the Statue of Mauritius, and his Armory; and of the Place called the Cynegium.
Chap. IV. Of the Hepdomum, a Part of the Suburbs; of the Triclinium of Magnaura; of the Cyclobion; of the Statue of Mauritius, and his Armory; and of the Place called the Cynegium.
THE Suburbs, call’d the Hepdomum , stood upon the third Hill, which is now enclosed within the Walls of the City. This is plain from the Situation of the Church of St. John Baptist , whom, even at this Time, the Greeks call the Πρόδρομος, or Fore-runner of our Saviour. This Church is seated on the Eastern Side of the City. ’Tis almost entirely demolished by the Mahometans , and nothing of it remains but a few Marble Pillars, expecting the last Effort of their Sacrilege. This was a costly and mag
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Chap. V. Of the Blachernæ, the Triclinium of the Blachernæ, the Palace, the Aqueduct and many other Places of Antiquity.
Chap. V. Of the Blachernæ, the Triclinium of the Blachernæ, the Palace, the Aqueduct and many other Places of Antiquity.
THE Author of the Book entitled, The antient Description of the Wards attests, that there stood in the fourteenth Ward , a Church, but does not name it; nor does he take Notice of the Blachernæ , although it was called so before the taking of Constantinople by Severus , as I shall immediately make appear. The Blachernæ stood without the Walls, not only in the Time when that Book was wrote, but even in the Reign of Justinian , who, as Procopius writes, built a Church, which he dedicated to the Vi
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Chap. VI. Of the Bridge near the Church of St. Mamas; of his Hippodrom; of the Brazen Lyon, and the Sepulchre of the Emperor Mauritius.
Chap. VI. Of the Bridge near the Church of St. Mamas; of his Hippodrom; of the Brazen Lyon, and the Sepulchre of the Emperor Mauritius.
NOT only some Historians, but also Suidas the Grammarian, have handed it down to us, that near the Church of St. Mamas , there stood a Bridge, which had twelve Arches; for there was a great Floud of Waters at that Place. There was also set up at the same Place a brazen Dragon; because ’twas reported that a Serpent had some Time liv’d there, which had deflour’d many Virgins. This Story was occasion’d by the Name of a Man, who was call’d Basiliscus , one of Numerianus Cæsar ’s Life-Guard, who liv’
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Chap. VII. Of the seventh Hill, the twelfth Ward, and of the Pillar of Arcadius.
Chap. VII. Of the seventh Hill, the twelfth Ward, and of the Pillar of Arcadius.
I Take it for granted, from the Situation of the Pillar of Arcadius , now standing on the seventh Hill, call’d the Xerolophon , (which is divided from the other six Hills by a broad Valley,) that That is the twelfth Ward , which lies a great Way upon the Level, from the Entrance of the City at the Porta Aurea , and is lengthen’d, on the Left Side of it, by a gentle Descent, and bounded by the Sea. It contain’d the Porta Aurea , the Trojan Portico’s , the Forum , and Haven of Theodosius , and a P
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Chap. VIII. Of the Statues, and the antient Tripos of Apollo, standing in the Xerolophon.
Chap. VIII. Of the Statues, and the antient Tripos of Apollo, standing in the Xerolophon.
SUIDAS writes, that the Xerolophon was formerly call’d Thema , because it was a kind of Repository, and contained in it fifteen winding Apartments, the Statue of Diana , and Severus , who built it; besides a Thermation , a Tripos from whence many Oracles were deliver’d. In this Place, the Founder of it us’d to offer Sacrifices; and among others he sacrificed a Virgin. Priscian , whom I find mention’d by Benedictus Ægius , indefatigably curious in his Search of Antiquity, observes, That the Azole
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Chap. IX. Of the Columns now remaining on the Seventh Hill.
Chap. IX. Of the Columns now remaining on the Seventh Hill.
THE Church standing here is called Studios , because it was built by one Studius an eminent Citizen of Constantinople . It was he, says Suidas , who built this Church with a handsome Monastery. Justinian , in his Constitutions , takes Notice of him, when he says, That there were two Biers plac’d in the sacred Treasury; one to the Memory of the Famous Studius , and the other to the Memory of the Magnificent Stephanus . The Monastery built by Studius was call’d Studium , which is entirely demolish
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Chap. X. Of the Thirteenth Ward of the City, call’d the Sycene Ward, of the Town of Galata, sometimes nam’d Pera.
Chap. X. Of the Thirteenth Ward of the City, call’d the Sycene Ward, of the Town of Galata, sometimes nam’d Pera.
THE Antient Description of the Wards of the City takes Notice, that Galata was formerly a Part of the City. The Thirteenth Ward of New Rome , says the Author, is the Sycene Ward , which is divided from it by a narrow Bay, and preserves an Intercourse with it, by Boats and Shipping. It is seated on the Side of a Hill, except a broad Tract of Land at the Foot of it, which lies upon the Level. Stephanus says, that the Town of Sycæ was situated against New Rome , and that it was call’d in his Time S
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Chap. XI. A Description of Galata; of the Temples of Amphiaraus, Diana, and Venus; of the Theatre of Sycæ, and the Forum of Honorius.
Chap. XI. A Description of Galata; of the Temples of Amphiaraus, Diana, and Venus; of the Theatre of Sycæ, and the Forum of Honorius.
THE Sycene Ward , which is commonly called Galata , or Pera , ought more properly to be called the Peræan Ward . Thus it is that Josephus calls Judæa , because it lay on the other Side of the River Jordan : And thus it is, that Strabo calls that Part of the Countrey which lies on the other Side of Euphrates . The Reason alledg’d by the Inhabitants, why ’tis call’d Galata , is, as they tell you, (being impos’d upon by the Allusion of the Name) that Milk was formerly sold there: And I make no Ques
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APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
The following Piece was communicated to me by a Gentleman of the University of Oxford, who had copy’d it from the latter End of the Second Book of Nicetas Choniat, Concerning the Destruction of Constantinople. I had no sooner perus’d it, but I found it so curious in it self, and so well suited to the Subject of my Author, that I perceiv’d the Obligations I was under for that Favour; and judg’d it worthy of a Translation. I would only farther advertise the Reader, that the following Passage is no
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A DESCRIPTION Of the CITY of Constantinople, As it stood in the Reigns of Arcadius and Honorius.
A DESCRIPTION Of the CITY of Constantinople, As it stood in the Reigns of Arcadius and Honorius.
Published from the Notitia Utriusque Imperii . WITH Pancirolus ’ s NOTES. LONDON : Printed in the Year Mdccxxix ....
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The first Region, or Ward.
The first Region, or Ward.
THE first Ward contains in it, the House of Placidia Augusta; the House of the most illustrious Marina; the Bagnio’s of Arcadius; twenty nine Streets; an Hundred and eighteen large Houses; two Portico’s of a great Length; fifteen private Bagnio’s; four publick, and fifteen private Mills; and four Gradus. It was governed by one Curator, who had under his Charge, the whole Ward. There was also one Vernaculus, who was Messenger of the Ward, was also Assistant to him, and entirely at his Command. It
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The Second Ward.
The Second Ward.
THE second Ward, after an easy, and almost imperceptible Ascent above its Level from the lesser Theatre, falls with a deep Precipice down to the Sea. This Ward contains in it, the Great Church of St. Sophia; the Old Church; the Senate-House; a Tribunal with Porphyry Steps; the Bagnio’s of Zeuxippus; a Theatre; an Amphitheatre; thirty four Streets; ninety eight large Houses; four great Portico’s; thirteen private Baths; four private Mills, and four Gradus. It has also one Curator, one Vernaculus,
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The Third Ward.
The Third Ward.
THE third Ward, at the Entrance of it, is a Level Ground, and stands, in Part, where the Circus is built; but descends, at the End of it, with a very great Declivity down to the Sea, and contains, the same Circus Maximus; the House of Pulcheria Augusta; the new Port; a Portico of a Semi-circular Figure, made after the Likeness of the Greek Letter Sigma, which was formerly wrote thus , C; the Tribunal of the Forum of Constantine; seven Streets; ninety four great Houses; five large Portico’s; elev
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The Fourth Ward.
The Fourth Ward.
THE fourth Ward extends itself in a long Vale, the Hills rising on the Right and Left from the Miliarium Aureum through a Vale, to a plain level Ground. It contains, the Miliarium Aureum; the Augusteum; a Basilica; a Nympheum; the Portico of Phanio; a Marble Galley, the Monument of a naval Victory; the Church of St. Menna; a Stadium; The Stairs of Timasius; thirty two Streets; three hundred and seventy five great Houses; four large Portico’s; seven private Baths; five private Mills; and seven Gr
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The Fifth Ward.
The Fifth Ward.
THE fifth Ward, a great Part of it is full of Windings, and Turnings, and is lengthen’d by an adjoining Plain. There are many useful Buildings in this Ward, which contains the Bagnio’s of Honorius; the Cistern of Theodosius; the Prytaneum; the Bagnio’s of Eudocia; the Strategium, in which stands the Forum of Theodosius, and the Thebean Obelisk; the Store-houses for Oil; a Nympheum; the Granaries of Troas; the Granaries of Valens, and Constantius: It contains also the Prosphorian Port; the Stairs
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The Sixth Ward.
The Sixth Ward.
THE sixth Ward, upon the Entrance of it, is a short Piece of level Ground, all the rest is upon the Descent; for it extends itself from the Forum of Constantine to the Stairs, where you ferry over to Sycæna. It contains the Porphyry Pillar of Constantine; the Senate-house in the same Place; the Neorian Port; the Stairs of Sycæna; twenty two Streets; four hundred and eighty four great Houses; one large Portico; nine private Baths; one publick, and seventeen private Mills; it has also one Curator,
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The Seventh Ward.
The Seventh Ward.
THE seventh Ward, if compared with the former, lies more upon the Level, although at the Extremity on one Side of it, it falls with a greater Declivity into the Sea. It stretches its 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 another Side of it as far as the Sea, by Portico’s extended in the same Manner. It contains in it three Churches, that of St. Irene; St. Anastasia, and St. Paul; the Pillar of Theodosius, w
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The Eighth Ward.
The Eighth Ward.
THE eighth Ward, on the Side of the Taurus, is not bounded by the Sea, and may be looked upon to be rather a narrow, than a broad Piece of Ground; yet is this Defect sufficiently amended by its great Length. It contains part of the Forum of Constantine, a Portico on the left Side of it, reaching as far as the Taurus; the Basilica of Theodosius; the Capitol; twenty two Streets; a hundred and eight spacious Houses; five large Portico’s; fifteen private Baths; five private Mills; five Gradus, and t
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The Ninth Ward.
The Ninth Ward.
THE ninth Ward is all a Declivity, and bounded by the Sea. It contains the two Churches of Cænopolis, and Omonæa; the Granaries of Alexandria; the House of the most illustrious Arcadia; the Bagnio’s of Anastasia; the Granaries of Theodosius; sixteen Streets; a hundred and sixteen great Houses; two large Portico’s; fifteen private Baths; fifteen private, and four publick Mills. ’Tis governed by one Curator, one Vernaculus, thirty eight Collegiati, and five Vico-Magistri. The two Churches of Cænop
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The Tenth Ward.
The Tenth Ward.
THE tenth Ward, on the other Side of the City, is divided from the ninth by a broad Way, yet is it much more upon the Level; nor is it, in any Part of it uneven, but near the Sea Shore. ’Tis of a proportionable Length and Breadth, and contains in it; the Church of St. Achatius; the Bagnio’s of Constantine; the House of Augusta Placidia; the House of Augusta Eudocia; the House of the most illustrious Arcadia; a large Nympheum; twenty Streets; six hundred and thirty six great Houses; six large Por
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The Eleventh Ward.
The Eleventh Ward.
THE eleventh Ward, much wider in Compass than the former, is, in no part of it, bounded by the Sea. The whole of it, level and rising Ground, contains, the Church of the Apostles; the Palace of Flacilla; the House of Augusta Pulcheria; the Brazen Bull; the Cistern of Arcadius; the Cistern of Modestus; five hundred and three great Houses; four large Portico’s; fourteen private Baths; one publick, and three private Mills; and seven Gradus. It has one Curator; one Vernaculus; thirty seven Collegiat
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The Twelfth Ward.
The Twelfth Ward.
THE twelfth Ward, from the Entrance of the City at the Porta Aurea, is a long way upon the Level. ’Tis extended on the left Side of it by a gentle Descent, and is bounded by the Sea. This Ward is better guarded, and more handsomly beautified than any other, the Walls rising higher here than in any other part of the City. It contains the Porta Aurea; the Portico’s of Troas; the Forum of Theodosius; A Column with winding Stairs in its Inside; the Mint, or Treasury; the Port of Theodosius; eleven S
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The Thirteenth Ward.
The Thirteenth Ward.
THE thirteenth Ward is call’d the Sycæne Ward, which is divided from the City by a narrow Bay of the Sea, and maintains an Intercourse with it by Boats, and small Vessels. It stands wholly upon the Side of it, except a broad Tract of Land, which lies Level, at the Foot of it, near the Sea-shore. It contains one Church, the Bagnio’s and Forum of Honorius; A Theatre; A Dock for Ship-building; four hundred and thirty one great Houses; one large Portico; five private Bagnio’s; one publick, and four
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The Fourteenth Ward.
The Fourteenth Ward.
Although this Ward is look’d upon to be a fourteenth Part of the City, yet because it is divided from the other Wards by an intermediate Space of Land, and enclosed within its own Walls, it makes the Figure of a small City by it self. The Entrance of it at the Gate is somewhat upon the Level; but the right Side of it, rising into an Ascent, almost to the Middle of the broad Way, falls into a deep Descent, and ends afterwards near the Sea in a Plain. It contains a Church; the Palace; a Nympheum;
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A Summary View of the whole City.
A Summary View of the whole City.
Having taken a particular View of the City, as divided into Wards, I shall now , continues my Author, give the Reader a more large and general Description of it, to shew that its Beauty and Magnificence is not only to be ascribed to Art and good Workmanship, but that Nature herself by the Mediation of the Elements, has happily contributed to its Security and Defence. The divine Providence has with so much Wisdom consulted the Preservation of its Inhabitants, even to future Ages, that a long Trac
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Some Account of the Suburbs as they are mention’d in the Codes and Law-Books.
Some Account of the Suburbs as they are mention’d in the Codes and Law-Books.
Procopius tells us, in his first Book de Ædif. Justin. that the Hepdomum was one Part of the Suburbs of Constantinople . Justinian , says he, built another Church dedicate to St. Theodora in a Place call’d the Hepdomum , which in the Greek signifies the Seventh . Zonaras , in the Life of Phocas , mentions the same Thing, as does also Cedrinus in the Life of Arcadius and Justin , with many others. In this Place were many Laws enacted; and Zonaras writes, that Theodosius the Great built a Church t
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Of the present Buildings of Constantinople.
Of the present Buildings of Constantinople.
Gyllius assures us, that the whole City, at present, is under a visible Decay, as to its Buildings; that the Houses are low and mean, and that there’s little or nothing to be seen of its ancient Beauty and Magnificence, except in a few of their Basha’s Houses, their Mosques , their Bagnio’s , and their Caravansera’s , which are all very noble Buildings, and are as follows. There are at least three hundred Mosques built with Marble, cover’d with Lead, and shining with glossy marble Pillars. There
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