Gilles Pierre
The Antiquities of Constantinople
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, thirty five Collegiati, and five Vico-Magistri.
NOTES
The great Church of St. Sophia.] This Church, some say, was built by Constantine, others by Constantius. It was afterwards burnt down, and rebuilt by Justinian, and was then look’d upon as the finest and most beautiful Church in the whole World. Periander, and others, whose Works are still extant, have described at large the Delicacy and Magnificence of this wonderful Piece of Architecture. Evagrius writes, that this Church measured in Length a Hundred and ninety Foot, in Breadth a Hundred and fifteen; and that from the Pavement to the Top of the Cupola, it was an Hundred and eighty Foot high.
The Old Church.] I suppose the Author here means one of those Churches which were built by Constantine, some of which are mentioned by Procopius, in Lib. de Ædif. Justinian.
The Senate-House.] In this Place they held their Senate, which, as Sozomen affirms, was built by Constantine the Great, where he commanded the same yearly Solemnity to be celebrated on the Calends of Jan. as was done at Rome. It was burnt down, upon a Sedition occasioned by an Attempt to banish St. Chrysostom out of the City, and was rebuilt, as Procopius tells us, with greater Splendor.
A Tribunal with Porphyry Steps.] This Tribunal was made of Porphyry Marble, which Word in Latin, signifies Purple, because Porphyry Marble is of a Purple Colour.
The Bagnio’s of Zeuxippus.] These Bagnio’s were famous for a Portico, which run round the Houses and Shops adjoining to them. There was a yearly Revenue assigned for lighting the Lamps of this Bagnio, and repairing them. Theodosius in Lib. de Op. Pub. writes thus; Because there are many Houses and Shops adjoining the Portico’s of Zeuxippus, we will and command, that the yearly Income of the said Houses and Shops, without any Pretence or Excuse to the contrary, be paid into our Imperial Bagnio, for purchasing Lights, and for the Repairs of the said Bagnio’s. This Passage is part of a Letter which he wrote to Severinus, Prefect of the City, (not Prætor) as it stands in the Codex Theodos. de Op. Pub. These Bagnio’s formerly stood near the Imperial Palace, and were afterwards called the Bagnio’s of the Numeri, as Nicephorus writes, Lib. IX. Cap. 9. Sozomen and Socrates take Notice of the same Bagnio’s. I believe they were first built by Zeuxippus, who persecuted the Christians at Byzantium, much about the Time of Nero; and who among other of his Severities, forced St. Andrew to fly to Argyropolis. If I mistake not, he was at that Time Lieutenant of Macedonia and Thrace. These Bagnio’s were enlarged and beautified by Severus the Emperor, for which Reason they were afterwards called the Bagnio’s of Severus. After this they were called Balnea Numerorum, because great Numbers of Soldiers use to bath there. Zosimus, in his second Book writes, that these Bagnio’s formerly stood in a Peninsula. In antient Times, says he, Constantinople had a Port at the End of the Bagnio’s, which were built by Severus the Emperor, when he was reconciled to the Byzantians, for opening the Gates of the City to Niger, his Enemy. Suidas says, that a Poet named Christodorus, celebrated the Statues and Images of Zeuxippus in Verse, among which he is very particular in the Praises of the Statue of Hesiod. Procopius, in his First Book, de Ædif. Justinian. tells us, that these Bagnio’s were rebuilt by Justinian, but were called the Zeuxippum, because in this Place they used to run their Horses in Pairs, as the Word Zeuxippus signifies in the Greek. St. Gregory Nazianzen takes Notice of them in his Oration to the Arians, and in another which he made concerning himself. I am not, says he, taking a Journey to a new Jerusalem, that is to the Zeuxippum; for that Place was laid in Ashes in the Reign of Justinian. The Bagnio’s of Severus, as Cedrinus relates, which were call’d the Zeuxippum, were consumed by Fire. In this Place was a very delightful Variety of Prospects. All the ingenious Contrivances of Art were here expressed in Marble and Stone, and the most elaborate Workmanship of Antiquity. In short, the Designs here were so matchless and inimitable, that they seemed to want nothing but a Soul to animate, and inform them. Among other surprizing Pieces of antient Skill, was the Statue of old Homer. The Figure was finished very naturally, and in his Looks might be observed a great Thoughtfulness, with a Mixture of much Uneasiness and Trouble. This Place was also beautified with brazen Pillars, which had been here set up in Honour of those great Personages, who had been renowned for their Learning or Virtue, through the whole World.
An Amphitheatre.] This stands near the Sea Shore. You must pass by it, as you go to the Imperial Palace, and the Port of Julian, between which Places there were formerly Lime Kilns, which were commanded to be filled up by Theodosius the Less, as the Reader may see in Lib. ult. Cod. Theod. We will and command, says he, that all Lime-kilns, standing on any Ground, between the Sea Shore, the Amphitheatre, and the Port of St. Julian, be entirely demolished, for the Benefit and Health of our most great and magnificent City, and by Reason of the Nearness they stand to our Imperial Palace; and we do hereby prohibit all Persons whatsoever for the future, to burn any Lime in those Places.
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; eleven private Bagnio’s; and nine private Mills. It had one Curator, one Vernaculus, twenty one Collegiati, and five Vico-Magistri.
NOTES
The House of Pulcheria Augusta.] This Lady was the Sister of Theodosius the Less, who continued for some Time unmarried. When her Brother was dead, she married Martian, and made him Emperor. Zonaras, Cedrinus, Zosimus, Nicephorus, and other Historians have mentioned many Things of her. She had also another House in the eleventh Ward.
The New Port.] This probably is the same Port that was built by Julian the Apostate. There was another Port in the sixth Ward called Portus Neorius, because there was a Dock there for building Ships.
A Portico of a Semi-circular Figure.] The Greek Letter Σ, as ’tis now wrote, was formerly wrote C. Zonaras and Cedrinus often take Notice of this Portico.
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 Gradus. It is presided by one Curator, assisted by one Vernaculus, forty Collegiati, and five Vico-Magistri.
NOTES
The Miliarium Aureum.] Cedrinus, speaking of the Miliarium Aureum, writes thus: Under the Roof of the Miliarium Aureum were placed the Statues of Constantine the Great, and his Mother, with a Cross between them. Behind him stands Trajan, and near his Mother is the Statue of Ælius Hadrianus on Horseback. There is a Clock here, which was set up by Justinian. There was also a Miliarium Aureum at Rome, erected in the Forum by Augustus, from whence they used to adjust the Distances of Places, and the Mensuration of Miles, all the Roads of Italy meeting at the Foot of it, as ’tis observed by Plutarch, Dion, P. Victor, and others. Yet Æmilius Macer is of another Opinion. A Mile, says he, is not to be computed from the Miliarium, but from the Houses, upon the Skirts of the City, to the Place to which you measure. As then there was a Miliarium Aureum at Rome, so there was at Constantinople, which imitated Old Rome as near as it could; tho’ at Rome it was built in the Figure of a Pillar, at Constantinople it was another kind of Building, as is evident from what is above-mentioned by Cedrinus; and is also attested by Suidas, who writes, that under the Roof of the Miliarium, stood the Cross, the Figures of Constantine and Helena, the Image of Fortune, and many other Statues. He calls it not the Miliarium, but the Milium.
The Augusteum.] This was a large Pillar of Brass, erected by Justinian, as Cedrinus relates, who tells us, that in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of Justinian, was finished the great brazen Pillar, which is called the Augusteum. Upon it was placed the Statue of Justinian on Horseback, holding in his Right Hand an Apple, in Imitation of a Globe, to signify that the whole World was subject to his Government. He sat with his Right Hand stretched out, pointing to the Persians to stand off, and not to approach his Dominions. All the Coverings of the Passage of Entrance into the Imperial Palace, were made of gilded Brass. This is still called the Brazen Passage, as the Pillar is call’d the Augusteum. Procopius speaks largely of it in his Oration de Ædif. Justin. where he writes, that not the Pillar, but the Place where the Pillar stood, was called the Augusteum, as it was also the Macellum. The principal Pillar, says he, is to be admired for its Size, yet is it no regular and uniform Structure, but made of Stones of a vast Compass. The Pedestal and Top of it is covered with the most refined Brass, which by cramping its Stones together, does at the same Time both strengthen and adorn it. The Brass, as to its Lustre, is not much inferior to pure Gold, and at least of equal Worth and Beauty with the finest Silver. At the Top of this Pillar was placed a very large Horse cast in Brass, facing the East, wonderful in his Kind, in a walking Posture, with his Head bending downwards, lifting up his near Fore-Foot, as though he would paw the Ground. His Off-Foot is fixed to the Pedestal, on which he stands; and his Hind-Feet are so closely contracted, as if he was rising upon his Speed. Upon him sits the Statue of the Emperor in Brass, whom they call Achilles, because he is somewhat like him. He has no Boots, but his Feet are bound round with a kind of Sandals. He is armed with a radiant Breast-plate and Head-piece, and looks, you would fancy, as if he were marching, in a war-like Posture, against the Persians. In his left Hand he bears a Globe, by which ’tis signified, that the Earth and the Sea is subject to his Power. He is not equipped either with Sword nor Spear. There’s a Cross fixed upon the Globe, intimating, that under its auspicious Influence, he arrived to the Imperial Dignity; and that all Success in War is to be attributed to the Omnipotency of the Saviour of Mankind. His Right Hand, which is open, is stretched Eastward, and seems to forbid the barbarous Nations to approach his Territories. Below this Place, stands the Forum called Augustum. This Forum stands before the Imperial Palace; ’tis surrounded with Pillars, and the Inhabitants call it Augustum. Eastward from hence stands the Curia, or Prætorium, which was built by Justinian, where the old Romans, in the Beginning of the new Year used, as Suidas observes, to perform a solemn Festival. Phavorinus relates, that the Flesh-Market was the same with the Augusteum. It was so called, says Suidas, because the Curatores, and Senastophori of the Wards, used every Year, on the Ides of October, to dance in Honour of Augustus, or because the Statues of Constantine, and Helena his Mother, were erected there.
A Basilica.] This was one of the most magnificent Basilica’s in the World, which Cedrinus takes Notice of, when he tells us, that a Fire began at the Middle of the Chalcopratia, which consumed both the Portico’s before mentioned, all the neighbouring Buildings, and the Basilica, which contained a Collection of a Hundred and twenty Thousand Books. There was a Curiosity very particular in this Library, which was the Gut of a Dragon, on which were inscribed in Golden Characters, the Iliads and Odysses of Homer, with the History of the Atchievements of other Heroes. The Roof of this Basilica was supported with many Ranges of Pillars, as we see at present in some Churches, which are many of them built after the same Manner with the Basilica’s. One of these Basilica’s is described by Virgil, in his seventh Æneid.
A stately Palace in the City’s Height,
Sublime upon a hundred Pillars stood,
With gloomy Groves, religiously obscure,
Laurentian Picus’ Palace; where the Kings,
The first Inauguration of their Sway,
The Sceptres, and the regal Fasces took.
Trapp’s Virg.
In these Basilica’s they used to plead, and admit to Audience publick Ambassadors; and, indeed, most of the publick Affairs were transacted here. This I am speaking of was finely gilded, and made of a delicate Marble. Theodosius, in his Letters Mandatory to Cyrus, Prefect of the City, means this Basilica, in the following Words: We will and command, that the Basilica gilt with Gold, and shining with Marble, be no Ways shaded or darkened with Statues, or Pictures placed before it. I believe Zonaras understands the same Building in his Leo Magnus, where he says, that the Building called the Domus Maxima, in which the Senate, and some of the principal Citizens met to deliberate upon publick Affairs, was burnt down; nay, that the Emperor himself came thither in solemn Pomp, when he entered upon his Consular Dignity. It was a Work of surprising Beauty and Splendor. Justinian tells us in his 81st Novel, that the inferior Judges used to sit there in small Apartments. Suidas writes, that this Basilica stood behind the Miliarium, and that there was placed in it, amidst several others, a golden Statue. Among other Curiosities here, there is an Elephant, cast at the Expence of Severus, on the Account of a certain Banker, who killed his Keeper, and gave his Body to be devoured by a wild Beast; which the Elephant seeing, in a Rage slew the Banker. Severus, to preserve the Memory of the Fact, ordered the Elephant and his Keeper to be cast in Brass, and both the Figures, in the Consulship of Julian, were carried to Constantinople, and placed in the Basilica.
A Nympheum.] This, as Zonaras and Cedrinus tell us, was a spacious Building, in which they used to celebrate Marriage, when they had not Houses large enough for that Purpose. Suidas mentions, that in the Forum of this Ward, there was a Spring continually running, which filled the Bagnio of the Nympheum. Theodosius, in another Letter to Cyrus above-mentioned, writes thus. I command you, by Virtue of your prefectorial Authority, to appoint, as you shall judge convenient, what Share of Water be allotted to our Imperial Bagnio’s, and what Quantity may be sufficient for the Bagnio’s of the Nympheum.
The Portico of Phanio.] Suidas tells us, that Phanio is a Place where they carried the Filth of the City. This, probably, is the same Portico, which the Emperor Zeno tells us, reached from the Miliarium, as far as the Capitol, and is supported with four Ranges of Pillars, between which he allows, in his Cod. de Priv. Ædif. a Privilege to build little Shops.
A Marble Galley.] This was set up in Memory of a Victory, which Zosimus, in his fifth Book tells us, Trajutus, Admiral of Arcadius’s Fleet, obtain’d over Gaina, near Chersonesus.
The Church of St. Menna.] This Person was an Egyptian Soldier, who suffer’d Martyrdom under Dioclesian, in Phrygia: This Church was built by Constantine, who, as Eusebius reports in his Life, Book III. Chap. 4. built also other Churches in honour of the Martyrs.
A Stadium.] This was a square Area, design’d, as Suidas observes, for Martial Exercises. The Grecians generally made them two hundred Foot long, and sometimes more. This Area was surrounded with a Portico, and Pillars. The Grecians used them sometimes in Merriment, and Dancing, and sometimes in more manly Diversions, as Wrestling, fighting at Gauntlets, &c. The Portico, on the South Side of it, was double Wall’d, to secure it from the Violence of the Northern Storms. In the Stadium, stood an Ephebeum, with Seats all round it, where they held publick Disputations in Philosophy, and where Youth was train’d up in Literature, and Science. In ancient Times, when Books were scarce, they used to improve themselves by Dispute, and Argumentation. On each Side of the Ephebeum, there were Bagnio’s, in which the Combatants anointed themselves, before they enter’d the Lifts. The Stadium fac’d the Sea, as Procopius observes in his Book de Ædif Justin. In a Place, says he, near the Sea, at present call’d the Stadium, (a Place formerly appropriated to Games, and Martial Exercises) Justinian, and his Consort Theodora, built some large Hospitals.
The Stairs of Timasius.] These were three Steps, at the Foot of a Hill, leading down to the Sea, which were built by Timasius. ’Tis very probable, that they were made of Marble, and were something remarkable, because my Author takes Notice of them. There was Custom paid at these Stairs, for the Repairs of the City Aqueduct; as appears from the Cod. Theod. Aquæduc. We will, says he, that all the Customs, which are, or may be collected at the Stairs of this our City of Constantinople, be expended in the Repairs of the common Aque-duct. I am of Opinion, that this Custom was payable by such Ships as unladed their Freight there. Justinian in his 159th Novel takes notice of a Clause in the Codicil of the Will of Hierius, where he bequeaths to his Kinsman Hierius the Suburbs Coparium, with all the Stairs thereunto belonging. Cedrinus writes, That in the Reign of Copronymus the Emperor, the Sea was froze by the Severity of the Weather, and that upon a sudden Thaw, a large Cake of Ice bore against, and demolish’d the Stairs of the Imperial Palace at Constantinople. Timasius, who built these Stairs, was General of the Infantry to Theodosius the Great, and was train’d up in the Art of War from the Time of Valens the Emperor. At last being falsely, and injuriously accused by Eutropius, the Chamberlain of Arcadius, he was banish’d into Oasis. Zosimus, speaking of him in his fifth Book, says, that he was the Father of Syagrius, who was entitled Pater Patriæ.
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 of Chalcedon; twenty three Streets; a hundred and eighty four great Houses; seven large Portico’s; eleven private Baths; seven publick, and two private Mills; nine Gradus, and two Flesh-Markets: It had one Curator, one Vernaculus, forty Collegiati, and five Vice-Magistri.
NOTES
The Cistern of Theodosius.] This Cistern was a subterraneous Cavern, arched at top, which was supply’d, not with Spring, but with Rain Water only. Petrus Gyllius in his Antiquities of Constantinople, tells us, that when he resided at that City, he discover’d a subterraneous Cistern there; which he shewed to the Proprietors of the Land where it was, who, before, were intirely ignorant of it. It was, says he, 336 Foot in length, 182 Foot broad, and 224 in compass. The Roof of it was supported with Marble Pillars, placed at twelve Foot distance from each other. Every Pillar was near nine Foot high. They stand, lengthways, in twelve Ranges; broad-ways, in twenty eight. In Winter-time, when the Aque-duct pours itself with more Violence into it, it fills up to the Middle of the Capitals of the Columns. It has sometimes Fish in it, which the Master, who overlooks it, skiffing about in a small Boat, kills with a Spear.
A Prytaneum.] There was at Athens a Tower call’d the Prytaneum, where their Senators, and wise Men met upon publick Affairs, and where Persons, who deserv’d well of the Commonwealth, were maintain’d at the Publick Charge, as ’tis observ’d by Cicero, Lib. primo de Orat. In Conformity to Athens, there was also at Constantinople a spacious Building, near the Imperial Cistern, where a Person, eminent in Wisdom and Learning, instructed twelve young Men in such Arts and Sciences, as might qualify them to be serviceable to the Publick. Cedrinus in his History of Leo Isaurus, writes, that, near the Royal Cistern, there was a venerable Pyle of Building, over which there presided a Master, who had under him, according to ancient Custom, twelve Scholars, of sober Life, and a good Share of Learning. These, when they had run through the whole Compass of human Literature, apply’d themselves very diligently to the Study of Divinity, and were had in so high Estimation, that the Emperors themselves look’d upon it as an Injury to their Character, to transact any thing of Importance, without their Advice. This Institution was afterwards suppress’d by Leo. Zonaras is more express, and large upon this Occasion; there was, says he, a House in the Basilica, near the Forum Ærarium, large enough for a Palace, in which were reported many ancient Manuscripts of Human, and Divine Learning, and where a sufficient Maintenance was allow’d for a Person of distinguish’d Knowledge whom they call’d the Oecumenical Doctor. He had under him twelve Fellows, who lived at the publick Cost, and instructed such as desired to be their Pupils. The Emperors also, concludes he, consulted them in the most arduous Affairs of State. But Leo the Emperor, when he could not prevail with them to declare themselves the same profess’d Enemies to Images, in Church-worship, with himself, destroy’d them, and their Library, in the Night by Fire. As therefore it was customary in other Nations to maintain at the common Charge Persons who might prove useful to the Publick, so was it here; and therefore, I conceive, that as the Prytaneum at Constantinople took its Name from that of Athens, so was it originally instituted for Purposes, much of the same Nature.
The Bagnio’s of Eudocia.] These Bagnio’s were so call’d, because they were built by Eudocia the Wife of Theodosius the Less. Before she was converted to the Christian Faith, she was called Athenais. Zonaras, Nicephorus, and others have wrote much concerning her. She had some Houses in the tenth Ward; where I shall speak more of her.
The Strategium.] This, I look upon, to be the Place, where the General’s Troops liv’d, and pitch’d their Tents. Here was the Forum of Theodosius, and the Thebean Obelisk which was brought from Thebes in Ægypt to Constantinople, and there squat’d.
The Granaries of Troas.] These Granaries contain’d the Corn, and other Commodities which were brought from Troas; as those Granaries were call’d the Granaries of Alexandria, in which the Corn was laid up, that was brought from Alexandria. Troas is a Countrey of Phrygia, situate near the Hellespont, not far from Constantinople.
The Granary of Valens.] This was built by Valens. It is probably the same Granary, in which was placed the Statue of Manaim, who march’d his Army against the Scythians. There was kept here a brazen Bushel, which was the common Standard, by which Corn was bought, and sold. Valens commanded that twelve Bushels of Wheat should be sold at the Price of an Aureus, (in English Coin 17s. 1d. ob. qua.) and commanded a Sailor’s Hand to be cut off, who had eluded the Force of that Law by Tricks, and Evasions, and in Memory of the Fact, order’d a Brazen Hand to be hung up in the Granary.
They had also at Constantinople Store-houses where they reposited their Gold, and Silver, and Jewels. For Paulus a Lawyer informs us, that ’twas customary to lay up in Store-houses the most valuable Part of their Estates. Lampridius also mentions some Store-houses built by Alexander, where private Persons, who had no Conveniency in their own Houses, used to lay up their Gold, their Silver, their Jewels, and their Corn, and that the Masters of the Store-houses were obliged to keep them safe at their Peril.
The Prosphorian Port.] Here they used to unlade all kinds of Provisions; for the Word προσφορὸν in the Greek signifies any thing that is brought to Market.
The Stairs of Chalcedon.] These were a convenient Descent by Steps, where they went on Board, when they sail’d for Chalcedon, which lay over against Constantinople.
Two Flesh-Markets.] All kind of Provisions were sold here.