BOOK II.

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 ancient City; but the barbarous _Mahometans_ have either so demolish’d those venerable and truly heroick Ornaments which distinguish’d it, to adorn their own paultry Houses, or entirely buried them in their own Ruins, that in very few Places you shall see any Remains of an old Foundation. I omit to mention the Fires and other Devastations, committed not only by the Savages of other Countries, but the great Havock lately made by the _Turks_ themselves, who for the last hundred Years have incessantly endeavour’d entirely to deface and destroy it, by building upon it in so different a Manner, that those who have formerly seen some parts of it, scarce know its ancient Situation. Consider farther the profound Ignorance of the _Greeks_ at present. There is scarce a Man of them who either knows, or has so much as an Inclination to know, where their _Antiquities_ are. Nay, their Priests are so heedless and negligent in this Respect, that they will not make the least Enquiry themselves about those Places, where but a few Years since very magnificent Temples were standing, and so very censorious are they, as to condemn those that do. However, that I might not pass away my Time uselessly, while I was in Expectation of Remittances from my Royal Master, for purchasing all the ancient _Manuscripts_ I could meet with, I made it my Business, by all the Marks of Antiquity I was capable of observing, to make what Discoveries I could. In my Description of the ancient Monuments, I shall observe the same Method I did in the Description of the Hills. I shall consider them in the Order the Hills stand, or as I find them in the different _Wards_ of the City; which, like _Old Rome_, was divided into fourteen _Wards_.

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, swam across it, when she went into_ Asia. The same Author, speaking of a Place call’d _Semystra_, tells us, that _Byzantium_ had been founded there, had not a Raven snatched a Part of the Sacrifice, they offer’d upon their landing, out of the Fire, and carry’d it to the _Promontory_ of the _Bosporus_. This they look’d upon as a Token from the Gods, that they should found their City there. The same Writer, speaking in another Place of a _Promontory_ call’d _Metopum_, opposite to the first Hill of _Constantinople_, this _Promontory_, he adds, faces the City, and lies directly against the _Promontory_ of the _Bosporus_; and the same Author informs us, that a little above the _Promontory_ of the _Bosporus_, there was an Altar erected to _Minerva_, who was call’d _Ecbasia_, or _Egressoria_, because those who transplanted the Colony hither, sally’d out from thence, with a Bravery equal to those, who fight for their Countrey. We might also call her _Ecbateria_, under which Name, as _Hesychius_ reports, _Diana_ was worshipped in _Siphnus_. He adds farther, that upon the same _Promontory_ stood the old Temple of _Neptune_, and below it, upon the Plain, that the _Byzantian_ Youth exercised themselves in Horse-racing, driving the Chariot, Wrestling, and other Martial Sports; and lastly, that at the Foot of the _Promontory_ stood a Bay call’d _Ceras_, which had three Havens, fortify’d with three Cittadels, and high Sand-banks, upon it stood the Castle of _Byzantium_, of which _Xenophon_ takes Notice, when he tells us, that the Men under his Command, having forc’d their Way into the Town, the Inhabitants fearing they should be put to the Sword if their City was taken, some fled to the adjoining _Promontory_, others to the Sea, and that some of them steering about a long time in a Fisher-boat, made at last a landing, got into a Tower, from thence made Signals of Distress, and were assisted at last by the People of _Chalcedon_. And not only the Castle of old _Byzantium_ was built upon the first Hill, but Historians assure us, that the Emperours of _Constantinople_ likewise continu’d a Fortress there, when they tell us, that to keep off the Enemy from entring the Port, they laid a Boom across the River, from the Cittadel to the Castle of _Galata_: Nay, even at this Day, the _Grand Seignor_ has a Cittadel there, fortify’d with thick Walls, which enclose his spacious Gardens on all sides. In old _Byzantium_ there was a Place call’d the _Thracian_ Field, lying upon a Level, and not incumber’d with Houses. It was upon this Plain that _Xenophon_ drew up in Military Order the _Grecian_ Army. He informs us, in his Book of his _Hellenici_, that this Field was near the _Thracian_ Gate; they open’d, says he, the Gates adjoining the _Thracian_ Field: And in the 7ᵗʰ Book of the _Expedition of Cyrus_, speaking of a Place, seated near the Walls of _Byzantium_, where he ranged his Army in order of Battle, he tells us, that the most convenient Place to draw up, or muster an Army is, the _Thracian_ Field; because, as he goes on, ’tis free of Houses, and upon a Plain. I observ’d before, that the seven Towers of _Byzantium_ reach’d from the _Thracian_ Gate to the Sea; _Georgius Cedrinus_ asserts, that they reach’d to the Northern-Sea, that is, to the Bay call’d _Ceras_. _Herodotus_ attests, that in old _Byzantium_ stood an Altar erected to _Diana Orthosia_, and a Temple dedicated to _Bacchus_. _Darius_, says he, _upon viewing the Black Sea, came back to the Bridge, and erected upon the_ Bosporus _two Stone Columns, on which he order’d to be engraven the_ Assyrian _and_ Greek _Alphabets. The_ Byzantians _afterwards removed them into the City, near to the Altar of_ Diana Orthosia. _The_ Greek _Alphabet was what they retain’d, and made use of. The Column with the_ Assyrian _Characters they left remaining near the Temple of_ Bacchus, _where they had fix’d it_. _Laurentius_ translates the _Greek_ Word _Orthosia_, _Erecta_, but he had translated it more properly, had he call’d her _Erectoria_, or _Erectrix_, because as being the Goddess of Child-birth she _raises up_, or _recovers_ Women in Labour. This I collect to be the true Sense of the Word, not only from several Authors, but from _Plutarch_, who in his Book of _Rivers_, has this Story: _Proud_ Teuthras, _King of_ Mysia, says he, _with his Retinue of Spearmen chas’d a Boar, which fled into the Temple of_ Diana Orthosia _to implore her Assistance. As they were all driving furiously into the Temple, the Boar cry’d out with an audible human Voice_, Let your Compassion, Royal Sir, be shewn to one whom _Diana_ brought into the World. Teuthras _enraged at this, slew the Creature_. Diana _resenting the Affront, threw the King into a Phrenzy, and punished him with ulcerous Sores. He could not bear the Indignity of his Punishment, and so retired to the Mountains. His Mother_ Lysippa, _immediately, with the Prophet_ Polyidius, _who inform’d her of the Occasion of her Son’s Sufferings, hastens in Search of him, and by sacrificing to_ Diana _some Oxen, reconciles her to him. When she perceiv’d her Son return’d to his Senses, she erected an Altar to_ Diana Orthosia, _and near it placed a Golden Boar, with a Man’s Head upon his Shoulders_. Before the Destruction of _Byzantium_ by _Severus_, both the Altar and the Boar were standing, in the first Valley of the first Hill. Since _Constantine_ rebuilt the City, the first Hill included in it the first _Ward_, which contain’d the House of _Placidia Augusta_, that also of the most noble _Marina_, and the Baths of _Arcadius_. I learn this from the ancient Division of the City into _Wards_, though I must confess myself at a Loss, to know in what Part of the City the first _Ward_ began, nor can I make any such Discovery from the Remains of any ancient Buildings, which are now entirely destroy’d. However, thus much may be inferr’d from _Procopius_, who has it upon Record, that when you sail from the _Propontis_ to the Eastern Part of the City, there stand the publick Baths, built by _Arcadius_. In this Place, says he, _Justinian_ built a Court, which was encompassed with so calm a Sea, that when you walk’d in the Galleries, you might discourse audibly with the Sailors. It made a very beautiful, a very delightful, and most magnificent Prospect: It was fann’d with gentle Breezes, supported with lofty Columns, and laid with the most curious Marble, which like the Sun, reflected a most amazing Lustre: It was also adorn’d with abundance of Marble and brazen Statues, finish’d to the nicest Perfection; a lovely Scene to the Spectators! The Reader, had he seen it, would have taken it to have been the Work of _Phidias_, _Lysippus_, or _Praxiteles_. Upon a high Pillar of _Porphyry_ Marble, in the same Place, stood the Statue of the Empress _Theodora_, addressing herself, as it were, to him for building so noble a Structure. The Beauty of the Column is exceedingly surprising, yet does it by no means come up to that inconceivable inexpressible Gracefulness and Dignity you see in the Statue. From these Words of _Procopius_, as I would observe by the By, that that Pillar now landing upon a Descent, lying Eastward of the _Grand Seignor_’s Palace, is not the same with that upon which _Theodora_ was erected, as some are of Opinion it is; because it is neither of a _Porphyry_ Colour, and is at too remote a Distance form the Court; so would I have the Reader understand, that the first _Ward_ contain’d in it the Length of the first Hill, which is bounded on three Sides by the Sea. I find not only in many _Historians_, but also in _Suidas_ the _Grammarian_, that the Statue of _Arcadia_, the second Wife of _Zeno_, stood in the _Arcadian_ Baths, near the Places call’d the _Bathra_, from the Stairs by which you ascend them. I find also in that Place two Statues of _Verina_, the Wife of _Leo Magnus_, one in the Northern Part of the City, near the Church of St. _Agathonicus_ beyond the _Bathra_, the other on that Side of the City where stands the Church of St. _Barbara_: The first was erected by _Leo_ in his Life-time, the second since his Death; when upon the Flight of _Zeno_, his Son in Law, his Brother _Basiliscus_ was crown’d Emperor in his stead. I have reason to believe, when I consider the natural Situation and Order in which the _Wards_ stand, that Part of the second _Ward_ was inclos’d in the Palace: For this _Ward_, according to the ancient Description of it, at its first Entrance stood upon a Level; at some Distance it rose by a gentle Ascent, and at last, with very deep Precipices, fell into the Sea. I am of Opinion, that these Precipices descended on that Spot of Ground where the Kitchens, and _Bagnio’s_ of the _Grand Seignor_ stand at present. But where-ever they might stand in ancient Times, all the steep Places that were formerly enclosed within the _Palace_ are now levell’d, where now there stands an old Church commonly call’d _Sophia the Less_. Some of the most ancient Inhabitants affirm it to be the Church of St. _Irene_, which _Socrates_ tells us was built by _Constantine the Great_. I take it to be the same Church which the People of the second _Ward_ call the _Old Church_. I have Reason also to believe, that the other Part of the second _Ward_ stood without the _Palace_, from the Situation of the _Churches_ and _Bagnio’s_, which the second _Ward_ encloses. For _Zonaras_ and other Historians assert, that the Church, which formerly went by the Name of the _Great Church_, was afterwards call’d the Church of St. _Sophia_, which every body knows stood without the Enclosure of the Palace. I have reason to conjecture also, that the Palace of _Maximinus_ formerly stood within the Verge of the Court, from the following Inscription made in its Commendation by _Cyrus_, once a _Consul_ and Nobleman of _Rome_.

_Great_ Maximinus _rais’d this noble Pile; From hence to Lengths unmeasurable I view Unbounded Prospects; for behind me stand The City, and_ Bithynia’s _beauteous Towns. The swelling Ocean rolls its Waves before me; When near my Doors, it moves but slowly on, Delighted to behold the lovely Landscape Of blooming Trees, gay Seats, and floating Ships, The City’s rising Towers, and pleasing Site._

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 _Justinian_; but _Sozomen_, an ancient and creditable Author, records it, that in the Time of _Theodosius the Less_, when there were warm Debates in the _great Church_, about expelling St. _Chrysostom_ the _Synod_, it was all on a sudden in a Blaze, those who adhered to him throwing Fire into it, with an Intention to burn down the Church, and to destroy all that were in it. _Procopius_ will have it, that it was first burnt down in the Reign of _Justinian_, who rebuilt it in the same Figure it stands at present; but he does not tell us, whether it stands on the same Spot of Ground or not; so that it remains doubtful from this Author, who is not so much to be depended upon, though he has a Catalogue of the Names of the Persons of whom _Justinian_ purchas’d the Houses where it stood before the Fire. An _Ancient Description of the City_, wrote before _Justinian_’s Time, seems to fix it in another Place; for the _great Church_ and the _old Church_, the Author places in the second _Ward_, the _Forum_ of _Augustus_ in the fourth, which I shall make appear stood near the Church of St. _Sophia_. _Zonaras_ says, that _Justinian_ built it much larger from the old Foundation; but ’tis much to be question’d, whether _Justinian_ purchas’d the neighbouring Houses for its Enlargement. As to the _Forum_ of _Augustus_, and the _great Church’s_ being placed in different _Wards_, we cannot from hence conclude, that they did not stand near one another. So that when _Justinian_ had enlarged and beautify’d it, and adorned it with a great Variety of Metal-work, when he had built the Walls and Roof with Brick, and to strengthen them the more, had cramp’d them in many Places with Iron-work, using no Rafters in the whole Fabrick for fear of Fire; although it has hitherto escaped the Flames, yet has it been often damaged and endanger’d by several Accidents, even from the Time of its Rebuilding. For the Eastern Arch before it was finish’d, bore with its Weight so hard upon the Pillars, that in all Probability it had fell, had not the Architect been very expeditious in finishing it; when bearing upon its own _Curvature_, it laid less heavy upon the Pillars which supported it. The two Northern and Southern _Arches_ bore so hard upon the Pillars and Foundation, that the Tops of the _Pillars_ began to fly; and had sunk, if the Workmen had not with the greatest Skill taken them down, and afterwards replaced them, when the Greenness and Moisture of the Building was somewhat abated. The Church however, at the Emperor’s great Expence, and by the indefatigable Industry of the Workmen, was at last finish’d; yet in his own Time it was grievously shock’d by an Earthquake, by which, as _Agathius_ writes, the Tower above the Roof was much shatter’d in the Middle of it; so that the Emperor was obliged to repair and strengthen it, raising it much higher than it was before. This was done when _Anthemius_ the first Architect was dead. However young _Isidorus_, and some other Architects who succeeded him, notwithstanding the Errors committed in the former Building, did not judge it necessary to take down the Eastern or Western Arches, but widen’d the North and South Arches, and so visibly enlarged them, that the whole Building seem’d more regular and uniform; so that it was evident to the Eye of the Spectator, that the Sides of the Church, which terminated with their Arches in the Roof, were of an equal Dimension; and that the Architects had with so much Skill contracted the vast Vacuity of the Body of the Church into so narrow a Compass at the Top, that the whole Structure seem’d very proportionate and agreeable. Above the Arches, in the Middle of the Church, they raised a _Dome_ or _Cupola_ to a very great Height, which was regular, and not so round at Top as usual, but more spiked, and better contrived for the Security of the Building. _Zonaras_ writes, That the _great Church_ being finished and consecrated; it happen’d that the Eastern Arch was thrown down by an Earthquake, which broke the Pulpit and the Communion-Table, but was afterwards rebuilt by _Justinian_, who raised it twenty five Foot higher than it was before. The same Report, almost Word for Word, is given by _Cedrinus_. He also built other Pillars proportionable to the Weight of the Arch which bore upon them. On the Outside of the Church he built a Pair of Winding-steps against the Pillars, near to the Church, which rising from the Ground to the Roof of it, support the Pillars, and the Arches. Other Writers, but of less Note, will have it, that by the Earth-quake above-mention’d the Roof of the Church was thrown down, but that the Arches stood secure, that the Emperor rebuilt the Roof, but lower than before by twenty five Foot. I could, for my own part, bear with this Relation, if these Historians would agree with me, that the Church was afterwards shock’d with other Earth-quakes, and then built lower than it stood before. For when _Evagrius_ tells us that _Justinian_ raised it to such an Height, that within side of it you could scarce see the Top, and that the Descent was so deep, that it was dangerous to look from the Height of it downwards, it is very probable, that _Justinian_ only raised it to its former Height. _Cedrinus_ relates, that _Basilius_ the Emperor gave Orders for repairing, and strengthening the great Western Arch, which was very much shatter’d by an Earth-quake, and likely to fall. _Nicephorus_ inveighs bitterly against the Empress _Anna_, who in the Reign of _Catacosmus_, sacrilegiously robb’d the Church of all its Furniture and Ornaments, and exclaims heavily, that the Tyranny, Oppression, and the different Sects and Opinions of those Times, were the chief Occasion of the Destruction of this Church: For, as he subjoins, one Midnight when the Sky was very clear, one of the Eastern Arches fell to the Ground, and brought that Part of the Roof, which it supported, after it, which broke down the Pulpit, the Images which adorn’d it, and demolished the middle Galleries. He adds farther, that it was the Opinion of many in those Times, that if _Andronicus_ the Emperor had not built Buttresses on the East-side of the Church, it had wholly sunk into Ruines. _Evagrius_ determines the Length of the Church in the following manner: From the Arch, where the bloodless Sacrifice is offer’d, to the Gate opposite to it, it is an hundred and ninety Foot long; from North to South it is a hundred and fifteen Foot broad; and from the Pavement to the Center of the Roof, it is a hundred and eighty Foot high. It was dangerous for me to measure its Length from East to West, so that I was obliged to have the Dimensions of it taken for me by a _Turk_, who made his Report, that the Church was two hundred and thirteen Foot in Breadth, two hundred and forty in Length, and from the Pavement to the highest Curvature of the Arches, a hundred and forty two Foot in Height. The Fellow never measured the Roof; If he had taken the Height of it true, he had found but a small Difference between his own Account and that of _Evagrius_. Should the Reader desire to be inform’d more at large of the Dimensions, and the Architecture of this Church, as it stood in former Times, let him consult _Procopius_, _Agathius_, _Paulus Florus_, and _Evagrius_. What the Architecture and Dimensions of it are at present, I shall, as far as my Observations have reach’d, describe more fully in the following Chapter.

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 is supported with eight Pillars, four of the largest and tallest of which bear up the four Arches which support the Roof. Two of these Arches, _viz._ the Northern and Southern, bear at the Bottom of their Curvature upon a thin Wall full of Windows, which Wall is strengthen’d by two Ranges of Pillars standing one above another. In the lower Range stand eight Pillars, which rise from the Pavement, the six above them support the thin Wall. The Eastern and Western Arches have neither a Wall nor a Pillar to support them, but are so open, that they make the Body of the Church appear more large. For these Arches projecting beyond the former, bear upon four other Arches, which are supported by two small and two large Pillars: For the four large Pillars do not only bear up the four great Arches, but every one of them does also support two small Arches, one of which extends itself length-ways, the other cross-ways of the Church; by which means the Church is lengthen’d and widen’d to a great Distance; for on the East and West Side of it there are two _Semi-domes_ which are join’d to the _Cupola_ in such a Manner, that they have the same Roof within the Church, though without it the Roofs seem to be distinct. These _Semi-domes_ are a great Ornament to the _Cupola_, which rises very highly above them. The Breadth of the Church is widen’d beyond the _Dome_ with Arches and Pillars, and the Northern and Southern Wall, which form the three upper and three lower Galleries, which are incrusted with elegant Marble of different Kinds, the Roof of them being cover’d with _Moresco Mosaick_ Work, finely gilded. Every Arch which lies across the Church bears only upon one Pillar, for one End of their Curvatures is supported by the outward Wall of the Church, which bears upon large Pillars, from whence there rise four Arches, which on both Sides of the Church are supported by the Wall. Two of these Arches bear up the Roof of the three lower Galleries, and the other two support the Roof of the three upper Galleries, the Sides of which bear upon Walls, and Arches, and Pillars. Hence it is, that if we consider the Inside of the Church by itself, as enclosed by its Pillars and Columns, we discover it to be of an oval Figure; whereas if we view the whole Space of it without these Pillars, it is a perfect Square. For the upper and the lower Galleries, which are the Wings of the Church, adjoin to it in such a Manner, that if we measure it from the Pavement to the Bottom of the Curvature of the upper Galleries, ’tis of a square Figure, but as contracted within the Enclosure of the four large and the four smaller Pillars, as far as the Curvature of the four Arches of the _Dome_, it is entirely of an oval Form. The Form of the Galleries is as follows: On three Sides of them they are built in a square Manner: The fourth Side of them, which looks into the Church, is of an oval Figure, as is the Church itself. The Roofs of these Galleries are supported with Arches and Columns. I shall give the Reader a Description of three of them, by which means he may easily form a Judgment of the rest, for they are all of one Form. Those I shall take Notice of, are the three upper Galleries on the North Side of the Church. The first of these Galleries has two Fronts, and looks both Eastward and Northward. The two Sides of this Gallery rise from the Wall of the Church, and end in an Arch. In the Middle of each Side of it there are three square Columns five Foot and nine Inches in Circumference, which are made the Jambs of the Windows. These Pillars support three other square Pillars, which are all made of blue and white Marble. The Side which faces the Body of the Church is adorn’d with six Pillars of green Marble, standing below the Arch which supports an Eastern _Semi-dome_, whose Shafts at the Bottom of them are seven Foot and eight Digits in Compass. The _Intercolumniations_ of these Pillars being little less than seven Foot and eleven Digits wide, are strengthen’d with Marble _Closures_ which are four Foot high, so that those who lean upon them, have a full View of all the upper and lower Part of the Church. That Side which parts the first and second Gallery, reaching from the outward Wall Northward, to the great Pillar which supports the _Dome_, is forty four Foot in Length, part of which is adorn’d with Pillars, and an Arch which supports the _Dome_. You pass through this into the second Gallery, the Breadth of which is twenty four Foot, and it is made up of the Arch of a Pillar, and a Wall which is a part of one of the Wings of the Church, and extends itself as far as the Roof of the _Dome_. This Gallery, at both Ends of it, is born up by Arches and Walls. In the Middle of it, it is supported by four white Pillars speckled with blue, the Shafts of which are seven Foot in Compass. ’Tis of a square Figure, and, as I observ’d, bears upon Arches and Walls. These Arches, at one End of them, rise behind two of the large Pillars which support the _Dome_; at the other End they bear upon Pillars which rise within Side of the Walls, and support the four large Pillars. The outer Side of this Gallery is supported with eight square Pillars, which are six Foot in Compass. There rises in the Middle of them a Pillar of a larger Size. These Pillars are instead of Jambs for the Windows; and above them there are other Pillars, which are also Jambs to other Windows. These Windows, which below and above are sixteen in Number, do very much enlighten this second or Middle Gallery. The Front of this Gallery, facing the Church, is beautified with six Pillars of green Marble. The _Intercolumniations_ of them, like those of the first Gallery, have their Marble _Closures_ at Bottom. From this middle Gallery you pass through an Arch into the third Gallery, which is much like the first in its Length, Windows, Jambs and Pillars. The Roof of it is supported with four Pillars, and the Side of it towards the Church with six green Pillars. There are also four green Marble Pillars which support one of the Western _Semi-domes_ which stands between two other Pillars. These Pillars stand two and two together, and between them are rais’d two lesser Pillars, made after the _Ionic_ Order. At the Western Door of the Church there are instead of a _Vestibulum_, two _Portico’s_, the lower of which lies upon a Level with the Church itself. The upper leads to the Womens Galleries. Both of them in Length the Wideness of the Church, and twenty eight Foot in Breadth. The _Portico_ over it is situate between the Pillars which support the Western _Semi-dome_ and the Windows. For both in the Inside and Outside of it, ’tis supported with eight Pillars, between which, the Windows both in the upper and lower Galleries, cast a great Light into the Church. There is nothing parts this _Portico_ and the Womens Galleries, but the Pillars which bear up the Roof of the _Portico_; for the Pavement of the _Portico_ lies upon the same Level with the Pavement of the Galleries. The Inside of the lower _Portico_ is enclosed with Walls, which are lined with a delectable Variety of Marble, and is cover’d at Top with curious _Moresco Mosaick_ Work, very beautifully gilded. On the East Side the _Portico_ are Doors which open into the Church; on the West End of it you go out at five Brass folding Doors into a _Portico_ that stands without the Church, and from thence you pass into a Court, where there are several Springs constantly running, to which there is a very deep Descent by many Steps. At the Ends of these _Portico’s_ there are two Places of Entrance into the Church, one on the Northern Side of it, and another with six folding Doors on the South. These Doors formerly were all of Brass, at present three only of them are so, but curiously wrought. The Church has also two folding Doors on the East Side of it. There are also some Doors in the Sides of it, which were formerly open’d, but are now kept shut. The Inside of the Church is very light, by reason of the Multitude of Windows about it. The high Wall, which between the great Arches and the _Cupola_ is of a circular Figure, let in the Light at forty Windows. The Walls under the Arches are enlighten’d with twenty six Windows, the Middle of the Galleries with thirty two, and the Ends of them with more than twenty. I shall take no Notice of the Lights of the two Western and the four lower Galleries, nor those of the two _Semi-domes_, nor those of the _Sanctum Sanctorum_, and the upper _Portico_, which I omitted to count, by reason of the great Number of them. The largest Entrance into this Church is on the West Side of it, where you do not ascend the Pavement as formerly, and as the _Romans_ did their _Pantheon_, nor do you descend into it by five Steps. You go up to the Top of the Church by four Pair of winding Stairs, not winding round in the Manner of a Cockle-shell, as _Cedrinus_ reports, but turning more upon the Square, and work’d by the Line. These Stairs rise with a very easy Ascent, and are cut out of large Marble Tables. Every Turning of these Stairs is nineteen Foot and a half high, and five Foot broad. Above these there is another Pair of winding Stairs which reach to the Top of the Church. You must ascend these when you go to the upper Galleries, and _Portico’s_. If the Reader will give himself the Trouble to compare what I have said of the Church of St. _Sophia_, with what has been written by _Procopius_ and _Agathius_ upon that Subject, he may easily discover, that the Ruins of what was built by _Justinian_ have not been so great as the _Turks_ pretend, who tell you, that the Church was formerly much larger, and that several Parts of it have been pull’d down by the _Barbarians_, and that there is scarce a tenth Part of it remaining at this Day. This Story would carry a Face of Probability in it, if they meant, that the Palaces, the Houses of the Priests and the Noblemen, which were built about it, had been demolish’d by Fire, and the Ravage of those People, otherwise I am convinc’d ’tis a gross Mistake; for I saw every Part of the old Church standing, mention’d by _Procopius_, except one _Portico_. For whereas _Procopius_ writes, that the Church had two _Portico’s_ at each End of it, there is none, remaining at present, but only that at the West End. ’Tis very probable that the other was thrown down by an Earthquake, and that in the Room of it, the Inhabitants erected a large Lump of Building of square Stone, which is now standing, to support the East end of the Church. This Lump of Stone you would take to be a Piece of a craggy Rock, though it does not seem, by reason of the Earthquakes, to be of the same Height as it was when it was first built, yet is it as near as high, as _Evagrius_ mentions it to be. Since which, to fortify the labouring Pillars, it is lengthen’d with four Walls. These Walls are more than twenty Foot long and eight Foot broad, rising to the Height of the great Pillars, and seem, to speak in the Terms of Architecture, to be Wings to the Church, or rather Buttresses, by which the North and South Side of it are strengthen’d and supported. Both Ends of the Church, which project beyond the eight Pillars, extending themselves each into a _Semi-dome_, and rising at Top into an arched Form, are yet remaining. The same lower Galleries for the Men, and the same upper Galleries for the Women, the whole Roof, the same Walls and Pillars, the same Dimensions of the Church, as originally beautify’d and adorn’d, are still in Being. There are indeed some Flaws in the Building, occasion’d by those who opposed the setting up of Images in the Church. In short, the whole, and every part of it, is to be seen at present; and it is despoiled of nothing, except a little of the Metal-work, which shews itself in great abundance through the whole Church. The _Sanctum Sanctorum_, formerly holy and unpolluted, into which the Priests only were suffer’d to enter, is yet standing, though there is nothing remaining of the Jewels and precious Stones which adorn’d it, as having been plunder’d by its sacrilegious Enemies. That inimitable Table, given to the Church by its Founder _Justinian_, made of the different Materials of Gold, Silver, all Kinds of Wood, costly Stones, which either the Sea or the whole World could produce, and which was embellish’d and enrich’d with infinite Offerings of Emperors, Popes, Princes, and Ladies of the first Quality; among whom was _Pulcheria_, the Daughter of _Arcadius_, and Sister of _Theodosius the Less_, is at present despoil’d of all its fine Decorations. _Sozomen_ tells us, that this Table was a very beautiful and surprizing Ornament to the Church, which was endow’d with very ample Donations, the _Mahometan_ Priests being now in Possession of them. They have eleven hundred Shops and publick Houses, situate in the best Markets of the City, which pay them a constant Revenue or Rent, without any Deductions, for their Maintenance and Support.

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 Countrey; but I have found him faulty in so many of his Narrations, that I cannot depend upon his Authority.

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_, provoked by _Juno_’s Resentment against her, passed over from thence into _Asia_. The Place call’d the _Mangana_ was their Armoury, where they kept their Ordnance. It stood in the Imperial Precinct, or by it, near the Chops of the _Bosporus_. The Emperor _Constantine_, Surnamed _Monomachus_, built a handsome and large Monastery, which is also call’d _Mangana_, in Honour of the noble _Martyr_ St. _George_. _Alexius Comnenus_, when he was ill of the Gout, was carry’d to the great Palace, which stands in the Eastern part of the City; but when his Physicians judg’d it not to be so wholsome an Air, he was removed into the Palace of the _Mangana_.

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 same _Ward_, but also from the Fire which happen’d in the Reign of _Justinian_, and burnt down, as _Procopius_ observes, the Church of St. _Sophia_, and the adjacent Buildings, as the _Bagnio_ of _Zeuxippus_, and the House of Entrance before the Palace; and _Zonaras_ writes, that _Severus_ the Emperor join’d it to the _Hippodrom_, and built it on the same Spot of Ground, where formerly had stood the Temple of _Jupiter_. _Leontius_, a more ancient and judicious Historian, does not join it to the _Hippodrom_, but makes it to stand near it, as appears by his Verses inscrib’d over a Door of a House, situate between the _Zeuxippum_ and the _Hippodrom_.

An Inscription of _Leontius_ upon a House call’d the _Zeuxippum_ and the _Hippodrom_.

_Between_ Zeuxippus’ _cool refreshing Baths, And the fam’d_ Hippodrom_’s swift Course I stand. Let the Spectator, when he baths himself, Or sees the struggling Steed panting for Breath, Pay a kind Visit, to enhanse his Pleasures; He’ll find a hearty Wellcome at my Table. Or if more manly Sports his Mind affects, Practise the rough Diversions of the_ Stadia.

_Cedrinus_ relates, that in this _Bagnio_ there was a pleasant Variety of Prospects of surprizing Art, both in Marble and Stone-work, in Statues of Brass, and Figures of Persons of Antiquity, who seem’d to want nothing but a Soul to animate and enliven them. Among these celebrated Pieces of the most exquisite Workmanship, was the Statue of old _Homer_, in a thoughtful Posture, just as he was, his Hands folded in his Breast, his Beard carelessly hanging down, his Hair very thin before, his Face wrinkled with Age, and the Cares of the World; his Nose well proportion’d, his Eyes fix’d in their Sockets, as is usual with blind Persons, which he was generally look’d upon to be. Over his close Coat hung a loose Garment, and under his Feet, upon the Pedestal of the Pillar, was a Bridle in Brass. This Place was also beautify’d with the brazen Statues of all those renown’d Personages who had been famous for Wisdom, Poetry, Oratory or Courage, throughout the World, but were all destroy’d by Fire. Among these were the Statues of _Deiphobus_, _Æschines_, _Demosthenes_, _Aristotle_, _Euripides_, _Hesiod_, _Theocritus_, _Simonides_, _Anaximenes_, _Calchas_, _Pyrrhus_, _Amymone_; of _Sappho_, _Apollo_, _Venus_, _Chrysa_, _Julius Cæsar_, _Plato_, _Hermaphroditus_, _Herinna_, _Terpander_, _Pericles_, _Pythagoras_, _Stesichorus_, _Democritus_; of _Hercules_, _Aurora_, _Æneas_, _Creusa_, _Helenus_, _Andromachus_, _Menelaus_, _Helena_, _Ulysses_, _Hecuba_, _Cassandra_, _Polyxena_, _Ajax_, _Paris_, and his _Oenone_; of _Milo_, _Dares_ and _Entellus_, _Charidemus_, _Melampus_, _Panthous_, _Demogeron_, _Isocrates_, _Amphiaraus_, _Sarpedon_, _Achilles_, _Mercury_, _Apuleius_, _Diana_, _Pherecydes_, _Heraclitus_, _Cratinus_, _Menander_, _Amphitryon_, _Thucydides_, _Herodotus_, _Pindar_, _Xenophon_, _Alcmæon_, _Pompey_ and _Virgil_. There were also many other Statues which have been describ’d in Verse by _Christodorus_ a Poet of _Thebes_, or, as others report, a Native of _Coptos_ in _Ægypt_, which, were it not a Work of Prolixity, I would explain to the Reader. There stood near the _Bagnio_ call’d _Zeuxippum_, a small Bath, taken Notice of by _Leontius_ in the following Lines:

_Let not thy stately Walls, O proud_ Zeuxippum, _Resent the Meanness of this little Bath. In Heaven’s high Tower, near the Constellation Of_ Ursa Major _shines the_ Polar _Star_.

There is nothing of the _Zeuxippum_ remaining at present, nor of many other fine _Bagnio’s_, although we have many Inscriptions relating to them; as of that famous one celebrated by _Agathius_, in which _Venus_ is said to have bathed her self; also of another call’d _Didymum_, in which both Sexes used to wash, describ’d in Verse by _Paulus Silentiarius_, and a third made memorable by an Inscription of the learned _Leontius_. Besides these, there was another named _Cupido_, describ’d by the ingenious _Marianus_; yet are all of them either entirely ruin’d, or so defaced by the _Mahometans_, that you cannot discover who built them, or to whom they belong’d.

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 Emperor not being content with this Oblation he had made to God, with the Co-assistance of his Imperial Consort_ Theodora, _built over-against it two other Hospitals on the same Ground, where formerly stood the Houses of_ Isidorus _and_ Arcadius. Thus far _Procopius_. From whence I would observe, that the Hospital of _Sampson_ was not far from the Church of St. _Sophia_, and have read in the History of an unknown Author, that it stood over-against it. I am confirm’d in this Opinion by the Authority of _Zonaras_, who tells us in the like Manner, that there was a Fire occasion’d by a Faction, which burnt down the _great Church_, that of St. _Irene_, the Hospital of _Eubulus_, the _Chalca_, the _Bagnio_ of _Severus_, call’d the _Zeuxippum_, and many other Buildings. This is farther attested by _Cedrinus_, who speaking of the same Fire, tells us, _That a great Part of the City, the Churches of St._ Sophia _and St._ Irene, _the Hospitals of_ Sampson _and_ Eubulus, _with the sick People inhabiting them, as also the_ Augustean _Gate-house of the_ Basilica, _the_ Chalca, _the two_ Portico’s, _as far as the_ Forum, _the_ Octogon _and the_ Bagnio _of_ Zeuxippus, _were destroy’d by Fire_. After I had made the former Quotation from the printed Works of _Procopius_, I lighted by chance upon a Manuscript of him, wherein I was inform’d, that the Hospital of _Sampson_ stood between the two Churches of St. _Sophia_ and St. _Irene_.

CHAP. IX.

_Of the Statue of_ Eudoxia Augusta, _for which St._ Chrysostom _was sent into Banishment_.

SOCRATES 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. _Chrysostom_ reflecting upon this Practice, as contrary to the Precepts of the Christian Religion, publickly condemn’d it in a _Sermon_. _Eudoxia_ believing her self to be closely struck at in that Discourse, banish’d him. I should here take Notice of the _Miliarium_ and the _Basilica_, as being near the Church of St. _Sophia_, but then I shall invert the Method I proposed to observe.

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 Entrance of it, is a Level Ground, but in the most remote Part of it, it descends with too great a Declivity into the Sea, and contains the Tribunal of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_, the _Circus Maximus_, the House of _Pulcheria Augusta_, the new Port, and the semicircular _Portico_, made after the Figure of an old _Greek Sigma_.

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 stood an _Obelisk_ made of _Thebaick_ Stone; but as the _ancient Description of the Wards_ takes no Notice of it, tho’ it does of the Square _Thebaick Obelisk_ in the fifth _Ward_, I should be inclin’d to believe, that the _Obelisk_, I am speaking of, was overturn’d by an Earth-quake, and remov’d by _Theodosius_ into the _Hippodrom_, after that Treatise was wrote, if the Author had not taken notice of many of _Theodosius_’s Works, and omitted some Things in the _Wards_, which he afterwards mention’d in his _General View of the City_. ’Tis very probable, that _Constantinople_ had more _Obelisks_ than one. As to that taken notice of in the fifth _Ward_, it is not now remaining. When first I arriv’d at _Constantinople_ I saw two of them, one in the _Circus Maximus_, another in the Imperial Precinct, standing on the North-side of the first Hill. This last was of a square Figure, and was erected near the Houses of the _Grand Seignor_’s Glaziers. A little time after I saw it lying prostrate without the Precinct, and found it to be thirty five Foot in Length. Each of its Sides, if I mistake not, was six Foot broad, and the whole was eight Yards in Compass. It was purchased by _Antonius Priolus_, a Nobleman of _Venice_, who sent it thither, and placed it in St. _Stephen_’s Market. The other is standing in the _Hippodrom_ to this Day. ’Tis supported by four square broad Pieces of Brass, each a Foot and a half high, with a Base and a Pedestal of the same Height. From the Ground there rise two Steps against the Pedestal, the lowermost of which is a Foot high, and of the same Breadth: The upper Step is two Foot high, and projects four Foot and four Fingers Breadth beyond the Pedestal. The Steps are not laid within the Pedestal, but are join’d to it withoutside, as appears by the Cement. Upon the Steps stands the Pedestal, which is every way twelve Foot broad, four Foot eight Digits in Height and projects beyond the Base a Foot and a half: Somewhat above a Foot higher it is more contracted, and does not project beyond its Base; for from the Top of the Pedestal there’s a Fluting on the four Sides of the _Obelisk_ which is cut out of the same Stone of which the Pedestal is made, and is a Foot and thirteen Digits high. The Corners of the Top of the Pedestal are worn, and defac’d, but are repair’d by four Stones of _Thebaick Porphyry_ Marble, each of them a Foot and a half high; for all the fluted Part of the Pedestal that lies between these four angular Stones, together with the upper Part of it, support the Base, which is seven Foot and thirteen Digits high, and projects a Foot and a half beyond the Bottom of the Shaft of the _Obelisk_, to the Breadth of nine Foot, and as many Digits: ’Tis carv’d on all Sides, as is also the Pedestal, which is covered with curious Statues cut in _Basso Relievo_. The Sculptures on the North-side of it, stand in two Ranges, the lowermost of which contains eighteen Statues, and two Cap-stands, which are turn’d round with Iron Crows by four Men, and wind the Ropes, which are drawn through Pullies, round the Cap-stand, and so draw the _Obelisk_ along the Ground. In the same Range is engraved the _Obelisk_ in an upright Posture, as it now stands, with three Statues, one of which, as the Inhabitants tell you, represents the Master, and the other the Servant, whom he design’d to correct, if a third Person had not interposed, because he had erected the _Obelisk_ in his Absence. In the upper Range there are also the Figures of two Cap-stands, with the same Number of Men working them, and labouring with those below them, to drag the _Obelisk_. The Wreaths of the Ropes in particular, are very nicely cut. If the Reader could apprehend the manner in which this cumbersome Pillar was erected, I believe he would judge it was done the way, as _Marcellinus_ describes. There was nothing wanting, says he, but the Erection of the _Obelisk_, the Accomplishment of which, without the greatest Danger, could scarcely be conceiv’d. You might see, says he, a vast Wood of Scaffolding made of tall Beams: At the Top of these were fix’d large, and long Ropes, after the manner of Threads in a Weaver’s Loom; which by their Thickness and Closeness to one another, darkned the Air. These Ropes at the Bottom were fastned round the _Obelisk_, which being leisurely drawn into the Air, many thousands working at the Cap-stands, was at last fix’d upon its _Basis_. I believe there are at present Engineers at _Constantinople_, who could do the same thing. I am induc’d to think so, by what I observ’d of a Pillar on the Side of the fifth Hill, which was almost equal in Magnitude to this _Obelisk_. I saw this Pillar taken off its _Basis_, and laid upon the Ground in the following manner. Round the Pillar, though at some Distance from it, they fix’d in the Ground near to one another large Poles, much taller than the Pillar, at an equal Distance from each other. At the Top of these Poles, they laid others across them, which were fasten’d to them in the strongest manner, and to which were fix’d the Pullies, through which the Ropes slipp’d, which reach’d from the Bottom of the Shaft of the Pillar to the Top, and were fasten’d to it: The Ropes were so thick, both length-ways and cross-ways, that at some Distance the Scaffolding look’d like a square Tower. There were many Cap-stands on all Sides fix’d in the Ground, which were turn’d by infinite Numbers of the strongest Youth, till they had mov’d it from its _Basis_, and laid it prostrate with the Earth. They afterwards laid it upon strong Carriages, the Wheels of which were bound with thick Iron, and brought it safe to the third Hill, and set it up as an Ornament to the _Mosque_ of _Solyman_ the Emperor. But to return to the _Obelisk_; on the West-side of the Pedestal was the following Inscription in _Greek_:

_To raise this Four-square Pillar to its Height, And fix it steddy on its solid Base, Great_ Theodosius _try’d, but try’d d in vain. In two and thirty Days, by_ Proclus’ _Skill, The toilsome Work, with great Applause, was finish’d_.

And on the other Side was this Inscription in _Latin_, which was somewhat defac’d, but I could read it, and is as follows:

_Difficilis quondam dominis parere serenis Jussus, & extinctis palmam portare Tyrannis. Omnia_ Theodosio _cedunt, sobolique perenni: Ter denis sic victus, duobusque diebus, Judice sub_ Proclo, _sublime elatus ad auras_.

On the South Side of it there are two Ranges of Statues, the lowermost of which has engrav’d upon it four Chariots, two of which are drawn by a Pair, and the other by four Horses, with a Driver to each of them. In the upper Range are two _Equestrian_ Statues, three Footmen, three _Togati_, two _Obelisks_, and four square Pillars. On the North Side of the _Basis_ are engrav’d four Ranges of Figures, which contain thirty five Statues in Gowns. On the West Side there are two Ranges, the lowest of which has nine Statues in a suppliant Posture, making Presents to the Emperor, who stands in the upper Range, with sixteen Statues about him. The South Side has two Ranges; upon the lowest are cut ten Statues in Gowns, in a petitioning manner; the upper contains twenty Statues, all in Gowns, except four in a fighting Posture, arm’d with Bucklers. The East Side, on the lowest part of it, has three Ranges; the lowest Range contains sixteen Statues of Men and Women, dancing and playing upon Instruments of Musick; above which are two Ranges more, in which appear little more than the Heads, which I look upon to be the Spectators. The highest Range has twenty Statues, six of which are divided from the rest by Pillars. The middle Figure holds a Crown in his Hand. Upon the _Basis_ are four square Pieces of Brass carv’d, which being plac’d in a quadrilateral Figure, the whole _Obelisk_ bears upon them. ’Tis engrav’d from Top to Bottom with _Ægyptian_ Characters.

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 Appearance; and discovers only the Workmanship of its Inside, as having felt the Effects of the Avarice and Rapine of the _Barbarians_. This was also the Fate of the _Colossus_ at _Rhodes_, which was demolish’d by the _Hagarens_ in the Reign of _Constans_, Nephew of _Heraclius_, thirteen hundred Years after it was erected. ’Twas purchas’d afterwards by one _Emesenus_ a _Jew_, and the Brass, when strip’d off, was of so considerable a Weight, that it was carried off by Nine hundred Camels. Upon the _Base_ of the _Colossus_ at _Constantinople_, are inscrib’d the following Verses;

_Fam’d_ Constantine, Romanus’ _Princely Son, (Who wore with Honour the Imperial Crown) This lofty Pile, by Time decay’d, repair’d; And join’d fresh Beauty to her Builder’s Art_.

This _Colossus_ at the _Base_ of it, has three Steps. The lowest is two Foot high, the next a Foot and two Digits, and the uppermost of the same Height. The _Basis_ is a square Marble, seven Foot and three Digits high, each Side of which is ten Foot and nine Inches broad. This _Colossus_ is taller than the _Obelisk_. One Day, being the _Festival_ of the Circumcision of the Prince of _Boldania_, I saw an ingenious Fellow of a Mountebank climb to the Top of it, and come down safe. The same Attempt was immediately made by another, who made a Shift to reach the Top of it, but the Height so dazzled and confounded him, that, despairing of getting down without Hurt, he threw himself, with all his Might, as far as he could from the _Colossus_, to avoid the Danger of being dash’d to pieces upon the Foundation; so that falling down right upon his Feet, he stuck deep in the Earth, and dy’d upon the Spot.

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 forced to submit, and be torn to pieces by the _Turks_, the most inveterate Enemies to _Statuary_, and the whole _Vitruvian_ Art; so that they treated him in as barbarous a manner as he was by _Diagoras_, who going into an Inn, and wanting Wood to boil his Lentils, finding a wooden Statue of _Hercules_, well-finish’d, cut it to pieces, and threw it into the Fire, saying these Words; _O Hercules, who hast pass’d with so much Courage through thy twelve Labours, try how thou canst struggle with the thirteenth_.

In the same Range of _Obelisks_ there stands another Pillar. ’Tis made of Brass, but not fluted, but wreath’d round with the Foldings of three Serpents, like those we see in great Ropes. The Heads of these Serpents are placed in a triangular Form, and rise very high upon the Shaft of the Pillar. There are many fabulous and trifling Reports among the Inhabitants, concerning the Erection of this Pillar, which is occasion’d by their Ignorance of the History of their Ancestors. _Zosimus_, among other Historians, writes, that _Constantine_ the _Great_ plac’d in the _Hippodrom_ the _Tripos_ of _Apollo_, which was brought from _Delphos_, and which had on it the Image of that God. _Sozomen_ tells us, that _Constantine_ did not only place the _Delphick Tripos_ in the _Hippodrom_, but also that celebrated _Tripos_, which _Pausanias_ the _Lacedæmonian_ General, and the Cities of _Greece_, upon the Conclusion of the War with the _Medes_, consecrated to _Apollo_. _Eusebius_ is more clear upon this Occasion, and says, that _Constantine_, in some part of _Constantinople_, see up the Image of _Sminthius Apollo_, which was a Title given to him; but that in the _Hippodrom_ he placed the _Pythian Tripos_, round which was wreathed the Figure of the Serpent _Python_; so that it seems to me very probable, that this was the same _Tripos_ which was plac’d upon the brazen Pillar I am speaking of at _Constantinople_. _Herodotus_ writes, that the golden _Tripos_ which was at _Delphos_, was made out of a tenth Part of the Spoils taken from the _Persians_, and erected upon this Pillar; and adds farther, that when the _Persians_ were routed at the Battle of _Platææ_, there was found a golden _Tripos_, which was restor’d to _Apollo_, and set upon a brazen Pillar, encircled with three Serpents entwin’d, near an Altar. ’Tis a Mistake in those who imagine, that this Pillar was formerly overlaid with Gold, but was plunder’d of it by the _Turks_; since _Pausanias_ makes it appear, that it was stripp’d of its Gold long before the _Turks_ took _Constantinople_. _After the Battle of Platææ_, says he, _the_ Greeks _made a common Offering to_ Apollo, _which was a golden_ Tripos, _supported by a brazen Serpent_. The Brass, he tells us, remain’d whole in his Time, but the Gold was carry’d off by the _Phocean_ Generals. There are five other Pillars in the same Range. In the Front of the _Hippodrom_, facing the _Propontis_, there was a Range of seventeen Pillars of white Marble standing, when first I came to _Constantinople_. They stood on the South-west Side of the _Hippodrom_. The _Pedestal_ of each of them is two Foot and ten Digits high, and are all of them supported by arch’d Foundations, which lye Level with the Plain of the _Hippodrom_, but rise above Ground to the Height of fifty Foot. They are all placed upon a little Wall, which projects two Steps, or square Plinths, the lowermost of which is a Foot and a Digit high; the upper is a Foot and six Digits high, and projects beyond the Pedestal eight Digits. The Pedestals of them are every way five Feet, and seven Inches broad. The lowest Projectures of them, which are placed there for _Tores_ and other _Modules_, are six Digits and a half high, the upper Projectures of the same Height; the _Plinth_ of the _Cornice_ is eleven Digits in Thickness; the lower _Tore_ seven Digits and a half; the _Scotia_ four Digits; the upper _Tore_ six Digits; the Stone which supports the Shaft is five Digits high, and the Shafts themselves three Foot five Digits in Diameter, and twenty eight Foot in Height. These Pillars were lately taken down, and the _Bases_ of them removed by Order of _Solyman_ the Emperor, to build an Hospital. I was concern’d to see them thus demolish’d, not so much for the Use they were intended, but that some of them were squared out for paving a _Bagnio_, and that the _Capitals_, made after the most exact Plans of ancient _Architecture_, were cut into Rude and ill-shapen Models for covering a Bake-house, and that the _Pedestals_, and all the _Entablature_ were hewn out, it may be only to build a Wall. The _Shafts_ of the Pillars stood at eleven Foot Distance. I observ’d the _Capitals_ were impair’d by reason of the great Space of Intercolumniation. The _Capitals_ were finish’d after the _Corinthian_ Order, and the _Trabeation_ was beautifully wrought, but was not adorn’d with an _Ovolo_. There were Iron Rings fix’d to the _Architraves_, upon which were hung Curtains. Beyond this was another Range of Pillars, which were remaining some time after the Taking of the City by the _Turks_. Before it was taken by the _Gauls_ and the _Venetians_, there were in the _Hippodrom_ abundance of Figures of Horses, both in Stone and Brass. There were four in particular of surprizing Skill, which were gilded, equal in Beauty and Workmanship to those which now stand before the Church of St. _Marcian_ at _Venice_, which, some say, were brought thither from _Constantinople_. I shall omit the Statues of great Numbers of Emperors and Princes, which were set up in the _Circo_. Among these stood the Statue of the Emperor _Justinian_, which has been celebrated in Verse. There were also the Statutes of some Eunuchs, who were most in the Interest and Favour with their Masters. Among others, there was the Statue of _Plato_ the Eunuch, the Emperor’s Chamberlain, who was burnt to Death in the Reign of _Basiliscus_. There was an Inscription, according to _Suidas_, fix’d upon the Breast of this Statue, which ran thus; _Whosoever shall remove this Statue into another Place, let him be hang’d_. Yet was it taken out of the Church of _Procopius_, and carry’d into the _Hippodrom_. I have not time to take Notice of the numberless Statues of all the Combatants, Wrestlers, Charioteers, formerly placed in the _Hippodrom_; of which, though there is nothing remaining at present, yet the Memory of them is still preserved in a small Poem of three hundred Verses, in which some Chariot-Racers are mention’d with particular Honours, though no Notice be there taken of a Person named _Thomas_, a Man of surprizing Agility and Speed, in that kind of Exercise. I have seen the Fragment of a Stone at _Constantinople_ with this Inscription, Θομᾶ Ἡνιόχου. This probably is the same Person mention’d by the Emperor _Theodoric_, in a Letter to _Faustus_ a _Roman Prætor_, in the following Words: _Of our Imperial Bounty and Consideration we have given and granted to_ Thomas, _the famous Chariot-Racer, a present Stipend to be continued to him, till we have farther experienced, and been fully satisfied of his wonderful Skill in that Exercise; but having now received ample Testimony of his Superiority in that Performance, and that having left his Countrey, he hath chosen voluntarily to settle himself within our Dominions, we, out of our Imperial Munificence, have encouraged him by a monthly Salary to continue among us. He has, by his frequent Successes, received the repeated Applauses, and stood high in the Favour of the People, whom he has sometimes, though unfortunately, vindicated, and at other times has eminently distinguish’d himself in the Race of the Chariot. Victory so often attended him, that he was look’d upon as a Sorcerer by a Set of People, who would have accounted it the highest Commendation to have been thought so themselves, for the same Reasons. And ’tis no Wonder that Men should ascribe those Excellencies to the Power of Sorcery and Enchantment, which they cannot arrive to themselves, the Sight of a Chariot-Race, in ancient Times, was had in the highest Honour and Esteem, though at present ’tis little better than the Occasion of Buffoonry, an Incentive to trifling Disputes, an Encouragement to Roguery and Sharping, and the constant Source of Broils and Quarrels._ Thus far the Emperor: From whose Words I would observe, that the Chariot-Racer here mention’d, who had left _Constantinople_, probably upon some Party Quarrels among the Chariot-Racers (who were therefore call’d _Factions_) was also in Danger at _Rome_, upon the like Account. The Commonwealth both of _Rome_ and _Constantinople_ have not only been often harrass’d with such Commotions, but the Emperors themselves have often fallen into the greatest Danger of losing their Government by them. But all the Diversions of the _Circo_ are now ceased. I was concern’d to see it despoil’d of all its Ornaments, though the _Turks_ of late have begun to build there again. I was the more concern’d, because, by looking casually upon a Medal I had then in my Hand, it put me in mind of _Belisarius_ triumphing in the _Hippodrom_, after his Victory over the King of the _Vandals_, as also of the Disgrace and Poverty, notwithstanding his Bravery and Courage, he afterwards fell into by the Jealousy of the Emperor. On one Side of it was stamp’d the triumphant Reception of _Belisarius_, and on the other this Image, with this Inscription, _Gloria Romanorum Belisarius_. _Procopius_ writes, That there was a Gate in the _Hippodrom_ call’d the _Cochlia_, because it had winding Stairs within it. There was also a Passage, through which they went to their Burial-Ground. The same Writer tells us, that in the same Place there was a _Portico_ call’d _Venetia_, from the _Companies_ or _Factions_ of Chariot-Racers who used to assemble there, and who distinguish’d themselves from other _Factions_ or _Companies_, by a _Sky-colour’d_ Garment, which was called so from the _Venetians_, a People that particularly affected that Colour. ’Tis very probable, that the _Prasin Faction_ had also a _Portico_ here. These were another Company of Charioteers, and distinguish’d themselves by a _green_ Livery. The Word _Prasina_ being derived from πράσον in the _Greek_, which signifies a _Leek_. Nor is it unlikely, that there were other Companies with Liveries of other Colours, who were not promiscuously crowded together, but seated in their own Apartments in the _Portico’s_, to see the Races.

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 Elegancy of its Building might be an Ornament to the Palace.

After he had arrived to the Imperial Dignity, he built other fine Palaces about it, and near it built another Church in honour of two illustrious Saints, _Sergius_ and _Bacchus_. These Churches which are both of them equally beautiful, stood on the same Compass of Ground, nor is there any material Difference between them. They shine alike with the most glossy Marble; both are curiously gilded, and adorn’d with the richest Offerings, nor is there any thing wherein they do not resemble each other, but that one is built lengthways, and the other in a semicircular manner. They are both wonderful in their kind, and are a great Ornament not only to the Palace, but to the whole City: _Procopius_ adds a little farther, that _Justinian_ chang’d the House, which was call’d the House of _Hormisda_, into a more magnificent Figure, and join’d it to the Palace. I am of Opinion, that this _Hormisda_, whom he dignifies with the Title of Prince, was the Son of a King of _Persia_, who, as _Marcellinus_ reports, when _Constans_ the Son of _Constantine_ came to _Rome_, and glorying how far he would transcend _Hormisda_ in his immoderate Schemes of Building, being unable to accomplish his Designs, he was content, he said, in an humble manner, only to have such another Horse made as stood in the _Forum_ of _Trajan_. The Story coming afterwards to _Hormisda_’s Ear, he reply’d in a jocular manner, _Let him try first, if he can build a Stable for him_. _Cedrinus_ explains more at large how near the House of _Justinian_ was to the Church of _Bacchus_: _Justinian_, says he, _built the Church of_ Sergius _and_ Bacchus, _which on the Sea-side of it, is near the Palace, and built also another Church by it, on the same piece of Ground, on which had stood his own House: In building these two Churches, and in founding a Monastery, which he fill’d with Men of sound Learning, and exemplary Conversation, he laid out his whole Estate, and all he was worth, till he arrived to the Imperial Dignity_. There is nothing remaining at present of the Church of St. _Peter_ and St. _Paul_, but the Church of _Sergius_ and _Bacchus_ are yet standing. It goes still under its ancient Name, though the _Turks_ have changed it into a Mosque. ’Tis covered at top with a Brick Roof, and bears upon eight Pilasters; between the Pilasters there are two Ranges of Pillars of the _Ionick Order_. In the lowest Range, there are sixteen Pillars which bear upon the Pavement: Six of these Pillars are of Green Marble, and ten of white streak’d with Red Veins. The upper Range consists of eighteen Pillars, eight of which are Green, ten White Marble, and are vein’d as the other. The _Capitals_ of the lower are adorn’d with _Ovolo’s_ at the Bottom of them. The upper part of them is cover’d with a _Foliage_. The _Volutæ_ of the upper Range of Pillars project from the four Angles of the _Capitals_, but the _Ovolo’s_ project from the Sides of them, which are also cover’d with a _Foliage_ of fine Workmanship. The _Architraves_ over the _Capitals_ of the lower Range are finished with the nicest Art. There is a noble Piece of Sculpture in this Church. ’Twas done by _Zoophorus_, who has carved round the Church some _Greek_ Verses, in the largest Characters. The Tops of the _Pilasters_ are shaded with a _Vineal Foliage_, intermixed with cluster’d Grapes, which denote, that the Church was dedicated to _Bacchus_.

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, that it burnt with great Fury from the _Bosporium_ to the Church of St. _John_ the _Calybite_, and on the South from the Church of St. _Thomas_ to the Church of the renowned Martyrs, _Sergius_ and _Bacchus_. The Church of St. _Thomas_ stood near the Temple of _Concord_. The Account which _Cedrinus_ gives of this Fire is, that it took its Course round the City quite from the Northern to the Southern Shore, as far as the Church of _Sergius_ and _Bacchus_. The Emperor _Anastasius_ fortified the Port of _Julian_, and secured it by a strong Wall. It was afterwards called the Port of _Sophia_, according to _Cedrinus_, who writes, _That_ Justin _the Nephew of_ Justinian, _built a Palace in the Port of_ Julian, _which he ordered to be cleansed, and that he commanded his own, and the Statue of_ Sophia _his Consort to be erected there, and from thence gave it the Name of the Port_ of Sophia. The Inscription on the Statue of _Justin_ placed here is as follows:

_I_ Theodorus, _Prefect of the City, Here, on the Shore, erect this lofty Statue; It represents the Emperor_ Justinus. _May his kind Presence guard, and ever shed Its peaceful Influence o’er the neighbouring Ports._

_Procopius_ writes, that the Church of the Martyr _Thecla_ stood near this Port. Some modern Historians tell us, that _Belisarius_ set Sail from this Port, when he went to Battel against the _Vandals_. But I cannot conceive what Reason they have for that Opinion, unless it be from some Words of _Procopius_, who says, that _Justinian_ commanded the Ship, in which the General sail’d, to be brought near the Palace, and that there _Epiphanius_ Bishop of _Constantinople_, as was customary upon such Occasions, put up a Prayer for his Success, and that then _Belisarius_ went off with his Wife _Antonina_. There were indeed some Palaces near this Port, but there were also other Palaces near the Bay, which was full of Havens, from whence, at a little Distance, stood the House of _Belisarius_. _Suidas_ confirms it, that _Anastasius_ fortify’d this Harbour, and made a Pier there; and _Zonaras_ attests, that _Justin_ built there some Palaces, and call’d them the Palaces of _Sophia_, from the Name of his Consort, whom he passionately loved. Many _Historians_ are of Opinion, that these Palaces stood near the Port of _Sophia_; but I am induced to think, both from Reason and the Authority of learned Men, that it was not so. For _Zonaras_, among others, writes, that _Justin_ built these Palaces against the City, and _Agathius_, a much ancienter Writer, and who was living at the Time they were built, wrote the following Inscription, which was fix’d upon them. From whence the Reader may observe, that they were not seated near the _Propontis_, adjoining to which was the Port of _Sophia_, but opposite to the City, near the Shore of the _Bosporus_, where the Continent is divided into two Parts.

_Agathius Scholasticus_ upon the Palaces of SOPHIA.

_Where the streight Sea divides the Continents, These gilded Palaces the Emperor built For his dear Consort, fair_ Sophia_’s Use. The Wonders of thy Beauty, potent_ Rome, Europe, _and_ Asia, _half th’ extended World With Pleasure view, and silently admire_.

The Word which in the Original Inscription is wrote δέρκεαι, _Zonaras_ writes δέρκεται. ’Tis easy to discover from these Verses, that the Palace of _Sophia_ was not seated near the _Bosporus_, but without the Walls of the City, waich is attested by _Cedrinus_, and many other Historians, in their Descriptions of the _hard Frost_, which happen’d in the Reign of _Leo Copronymus_, by which the _Bosporus_ was frozen so hard, that whosoever had a mind to pass over from the Palace of _Sophia_ to the City, or from _Chrysopolis_ to the Church of St. _Mamas_, or repass to _Galata_ on the Shore of the _Bosporus_, might cross over the Ice without the least Danger. The Port of _Sophia_, before it was call’d the Port of _Julian_, seems to me to be the same, which was formerly called the _Neorium_, and which the _ancient Description of the Wards_ places in the same _Ward_ with the _Hippodrom_; but whether it be one, or either of these, it is now fill’d up; or if it was that Port which stands West of the Church of _Bacchus_, ’tis now almost demolish’d, and enclosed with a Wall. There is only a small Part of it remaining, which is a standing Water, where the Women wash their Linnen. The People tell you, that they have seen some Three-Oar’d Gallies which have been sunk there. ’Tis call’d at present by the Inhabitants _Caterga limena_, or the Port of the Three-Oar’d Gallies; whether it be the same Port, which is standing on the East of the Church of _Bacchus_, near the Gate of the City call’d _Porta Leonis_, which Name it took either from a Lion near it, which was carved in Stone, or from the Emperor _Leo_, who, they tell you, had a Palace there, I shall not determine. _Nicephorus_, an Historian of modern Date, tells us, that an Emperor of _Constantinople_, when besieged by the People of _Italy_, summoned a Multitude of Smiths into the _Morion_, which ran round the _Hippodrom_. I could never discover at _Constantinople_ the Place which was called the _Pyctacia_; yet I cannot but take Notice from _Cedrinus_, and other modern Historians, that in the Place which they called the _Pyctacia_, there was a Pillar which supported the Statue of _Leo_ the Emperor, the Consort of _Verina_. This Statue, as some write, was erected by his Sister _Euphemia_, a Lady of great Wisdom and Continency, near her own House, where _Leo_ every Week, used to pay her a Visit. All Persons who laboured under Afflictions of any Kind, laid their Petitions to the Emperor, upon the Steps of this Pillar. The Apparitors took them up, and when the Emperor waited upon his Sister, they presented them to him. _Budæus_ says, that the _Pyctacia_, or as he calls them, the _Pystacia_, were Briefs; though I see no Reason why they may not also be called Petitions. For as _Pyctium_ signifies a Book, I do not see why _Pyctacium_ may not signify any smaller Writing. The _Greeks_ at present generally call their Letters _Pyctacia_. In an History written by an unknown Author, I have read, that _Eudoxia_ had set up her own Statue, made of massy Silver, in a Place called the _Pyctacium_. If the Author be not mistaken, I should take this to be the same Statue which stood near the Church of St. _Sophia_, by which, as I have shewn before, stood the Statue of _Eudoxia_. I have seen a small _Treatise_ of _Constantinople_, which says, that _Constantine_ the _Great_ built a Church to St. _Euphemia_, near the _Hippodrom_, which was afterwards turned into an Armory by _Constantine_, surnamed _Copronymus_, a professed Adversary to Images in Churches, and who cast the Reliques of St. _Euphemia_ into the Sea. _Suidas_ writes, that the Statue of _Euphemia_ (the Consort of the Emperor _Justin_, who was a _Thracian_) was placed in the Church of St. _Euphemia_, which she her self had built. Some modern Writers say, that in the Time of _Basilius_ the Emperor, there was a great Earthquake which overturned the Church of St. _Polyclete_, and killed all that were in it; and that from that Time it was called _Sigma_. I am more inclined to believe, that it took its Name from a _Portico_ so called, many Ages before this Earthquake, because it was built after the Similitude of the Letter _Sigma_, and is placed in the _antient Description_ of _Constantinople_, in the same _Ward_ with the _Hippodrom_. _Cedrinus_ seems to take Notice of this Place. _They dragged_, says he, Michael _the Emperor in his Monks Habit, by the Heels, out of the Monastery of_ Studius, _through the Market, and leading him beyond the Monastery called_ Periblepton, _in a Place called_ Sigma, _they put out both his Eyes_. The same Author tells us, that _Basilius_ the Emperor, a Native of _Macedon_, rebuilt from the Foundations, a Church to the Honour of the _Blessed Virgin_, which was called _Sigma_. _Chrysaphius Zomas_, an Eunuch, set up the Statue of _Theodosius_ the _Less_, in a Place called _Sigma_. Some Writers affirm, that _Constantine_ the _Great_ built a Church to St. _Stephen_, in a Place called _Sigma_. The _Sigma_ therefore here intended, must needs be another Place in the City, distinct from that which I observed was in the third _Ward_, and ought to be written with the Letter _e_, as _Segma_; by Reason, as I hinted just now, that the Fall of the Church of St. _Polyclete_ by an Earthquake, crushed to Death all that were in it.

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 the _Augustæum_, the _Basilica_, the _Nymphæum_, and other fine Buildings, had they not been entirely buried in their own Ruins. But since no Observations at present can be made that Way, I was in Suspense, whether or no the Valley, where the fourth _Ward_ stood, was not the same Valley which I had described at the first; because it is common to other Vales, to have Hills rising on the right and left. And when I had sufficiently instructed my self from the Writings and Histories of learned Men, what Monuments of Antiquity had formerly been in the fourth _Ward_, and where they had stood, I was soon sensible that the fourth _Ward_ stood in the first Valley, and on the Sides of it, and on the Hill near to the Church of St. _Sophia_, as the Reader will perceive from the following History.

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 Court before the Church of _Sophia_, that the _Augustæum_ stood where there is now a Fountain, at the West End of the Church of St. _Sophia_. _Suidas_ says, that _Justinian_, after he had built the Church of St. _Sophia_, cleansed the Court, and paved it with Marble, and that it was formerly called the _Forum Augustæum_; and adds, that he erected his own Statue there. _Procopius_ writes, _That there was a certain_ Forum _facing the Senate House, which was called by the Citizens the_ Augustæum; _where are seven Stones, so cemented together in a quadrangular Manner, and are so contracted one within another the upper within the lower Stone, that a Man may conveniently sit down upon every Projecture of them_. I was more induced to give this Account from _Procopius_, of the Pedestal, because I do not find it in his _printed Works_. Upon the Top of it, says he, there’s erected a large Pillar, composed of many Stones covered with Brass, which did at once both strengthen and adorn them. The Plates of Brass did not reflect so strong a Lustre as pure Gold, yet was it, in Value, little inferior to Silver. On the Top of the Statue was set a large Horse in Brass, facing the East, which indeed afforded a noble Prospect. He seemed to be in a marching Posture, and struggling for Speed. His near Foot before was curvated, as though he would paw the Ground; his off Foot was fixed to the _Pedestal_, and his hind Feet were so contracted, as though he was prepared to be gone. Upon the Horse was placed the Statue of the Emperor. ’Twas made of Brass, large like a _Colossus_, dress’d in a warlike Habit like _Achilles_, with Sandals on his Feet, and armed with a Coat of Mail, and a shining Helmet. He looked Eastward, and seemed to be marching against the _Persians_. In his left Hand he bore a Globe, devised to signify his universal Power over the whole World. On the Top of it was fixed a Cross, to which he attributed all his Successes in War, and his Accession to the Imperial Dignity. His right Hand was stretched to the East, and by pointing with his Fingers, he seemed to forbid the barbarous Nations to approach nearer, but to stand off at their Peril. _Tzetzes_, in his _Various History_, describes what kind of Helmet he had upon his Head. _The_ Persians, says he, _generally wore a Turbant upon the Head. When the_ Romans _obtained any Victory over them, they plundered them of these Turbants, which they placed upon their own Heads. They are_, says he, _of the same Shape with that, with which the Statue of_ Justinian, _erected upon a large Pillar, is crowned_. _Cedrinus_ relates, that _Justinian_ held the Globe in his Silver Hand. _Zonaras_ writes, that _Justinian_, in the seventeenth Year of his Reign, set up this Pillar, in the same Place, where formerly had stood another Pillar of _Theodosius_ the _Great_, bearing his Statue in Silver, made at the Expence of his Son _Arcadius_, which weighed seven Thousand four Hundred Pounds. When _Justinian_ had demolished the Statue and the Pillar, he stripped it of a vast Quantity of Lead, of which he made Pipes for _Aqueducts_, which brought the Water into the City. This ill Treatment of _Theodosius_ by _Justinian_, was revenged upon him by the _Barbarians_; for they used his Pillar in the same Manner, and stripped it of the Statue, the Horse, and the Brass wherewith it was covered, so that it was only a bare Column for some Years. About thirty Years ago the whole _Shaft_ was taken down to the _Pedestal_, and that, about a Year since, was demolished down to the _Basis_, from whence I observed a Spring to spout up with Pipes, into a large Cistern. At present there stands in the same Place a Water-House, and the Pipes are enlarged. I lately saw the _Equestrian_ Statue of _Justinian_, erected upon the Pillar which stood here, and which had been preserved a long Time in the Imperial Precinct, carried into the melting Houses, where they cast their Ordnance. Among the Fragments were the Leg of _Justinian_, which exceeded my Height, and his Nose, which was above nine Inches long. I dared not publickly measure the Horse’s Legs, as they lay upon the Ground, but privately measured one of the Hoofs, and found it to be nine Inches in Height. _Suidas_, and some modern Historians allure us, that it was called the _Forum Augustæum_, because the _Curatores_, and _Sebastophori_, on the fifteenth Day of _October_, used to dance in the Market Place there, in Honour of _Augustus_; or because the Statues of _Constantine_, and his Mother _Helena_, were set up in an arched Gallery which stood here. _Zosimus_, a more antient Historian than _Procopius_, asserts, that _Constantine_ built a round Market, with four _Portico_’s, two in a Row, above each other; and that he roofed two of them with _Proconnesian_ Marble, that you might pass from them unto the Portico of _Severus_, and from thence beyond the Bounds of the antient City; and adds, that this Market stood in a Place, to which there was a Passage thro’ a Landgate adjacent. This is the same Market which is intended by the _unknown Author_ of the _History of Constantinople_, where he tells us, that _Constantine_ built a Market in a circular Manner. The same Author tells us in another Place, that when he was at _Constantinople_, _Constantine_ had surrounded the great _Forum_ with four _Portico_’s and placed at both Ends of one of them, which you ascend by many Steps, two Statues: At one End was placed the Statue of _Rhea_, the Mother of the Gods, (the same Statue, which those who sailed with _Jason_, placed on Mount _Dindymus_) rising above the City of _Cyzicus_. They tell you, that for her Neglect in paying divine Worship to the Gods, the Statue was defaced; and that her Hands, which before held the Reins of two Lyons which stood before her, were changed into a petitioning Posture. This Statue at the same Time faced and adorned the City. At the other End of the _Portico_ he placed the _Fortune_ of the City, though _Suidas_ relates, that the _Fortune_ of the City stood in a Nich of the _Miliarium_. If this Statue was set up here by _Constantine_, I should think, that both the Markets mentioned by _Zosimus_ are one and the same. But to me they seem to be different; because _Zosimus_ tells us in one Place, that _Constantine_ built a Market with two _Portico’s_ round it, and afterwards, that he built a Market with four _Portico_’s round it; unless he reckons in the Account, the _Portico’s_ of _Severus_ and _Constantine_, from whence there was a free Entrance into other _Portico’s_. On the East Side of the _Forum Augusteum_, _Procopius_ writes, that _Justinian_ built a large Court, where the Senate used to assemble, and celebrate an Anniversary Festival every new Year. Before the Senate-House stand six Columns, two of which support the Western Wall, in the Middle of it. The other four stand at a little Distance from it. These Pillars are all of white Marble, and I look upon them to be the largest in the World. The other six support a _Portico_, which runs round the Top of a large Building. The upper Part of the _Portico_ is adorned with Marble elegantly variegated, and equal to that of the Columns, and is furnished with an infinite Variety of curious Statues. I am of Opinion, that _Justinian_ did not build this _Senate-House_, but that he rebuilt the old _Senate-House_, which was burnt down by the Fire, which consumed the Church of St. _Sophia_, and the Baths of _Zeuxippus_. For _Sozomen_ writes, that _Constantine_ the _Great_ built the Great Council-Hall, which was called the _Senate-House_, and ordered it to be held in equal Dignity, and honoured it with the same publick Celebration of the Feast of the _Calends_, with that of antient _Rome_. He tells us where this great Court stood, when he writes, that the silver Statue of _Eudoxia Augusta_ was placed upon a _Porphyry_ Pillar, on the South Side of the Church of St. _Sophia_, beyond the high Pulpit, which faces the _Senate-House_. _Socrates_ tells us, that it was neither erected near, nor at any considerable Distance from the Church of St. _Sophia_; but beyond the broad Way, as _Suidas_ observes, which runs between them both. _In the Tribunal of the Palace_, says he, _stood the Pillar of_ Eudoxia, _the Wife of_ Theodosius. The Treatise _of the antient Description of the Wards_ places the Senate-House, the _Tribunal_ with _Porphyry_ Steps, and the _Basilica_, all in the same _Ward_. _Sozomen_ clearly points out the Situation of the _Senate-House_, where he says, that when a Tumult arose concerning the Expulsion of St. _Chrysostom_, the great Church was all on a sudden in a Blaze, which burnt down the Buildings upon the Walks, and the Great _Senate-House_, lying to the South of them. There are some Remains of the Walls of the _Senate-House_ still standing, southerly of the Church of St. _Sophia_, beyond the Way that leads from the Imperial Gate to the _Forum_ of _Constantine_.

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 Bottom, no ways intercepting the beauteous Prospect before you, but seeming rather to add to the Pleasure and Agreeableness of it. Above this Building are raised eight Arches, supporting the Roof, which rises into a globular Height most beautifully adorn’d. The Roof of it is not furnish’d with fine Paintings, but shines with _Mosaick_ Work of all sorts of Colours, in the several Figures of Men, and other Kinds of Creatures. The Historian at large has explain’d the Designs, which are the Scenes of War, of Battles, and the Surrender of many Towns, both in _Africa_ and _Italy_. Among other Curiosities are describ’d the Victories of _Justinian_ under his General _Belisarius_, and his triumphant Return to the Emperor. The Courage and Chearfulness of his Army is expressed in a lively Manner. The General is figured in an humble Posture, as making an Offering to him of all the Kings, the Kingdoms, and other rich Spoils he had taken from the Enemy. In the Middle of the Work is represented the Emperor and his Empress _Theodora_ in a pleasant gay Humour, celebrating a Festival in Honour of his Victory over the _Goths_ and _Vandals_, and bringing great Numbers of Captives before him. The whole Senate is described round them, joining in the Celebration. They all look chearful and merry, smiling, and highly pleased with the Honour they have to attend the Emperor on so important an Occasion. I would here observe, that as _Papinius_ in his _Sylvæ_ calls the _Basilica_ of _Paulus_, the Palace of _Paulus_, so the House, which _Procopius_ calls Βασιλεῖον went by the Name both of the _Basilica_ and the Palace. And I am confirm’d in this Opinion from _Cedrinus_, who says, That the Fire which happen’d in the Reign of _Justinian_, burnt down the Porch, or House of Entrance into the _Basilica_, the _Basilica_ itself, and the brazen Covering of the Palace of _Constantine the Great_, which from that Time to this Day, is call’d the _Chalca_, because it is cover’d with Plates of Brass gilded. What _Cedrinus_ calls the _Basilica_, _Procopius_, in his Book _De Ædif. Justiniani_, calls τὰ Βασιλεῖα, when speaking of the Fire above-mention’d, he tells us, That it consumed the Gate-houses τῶν Βασιλείων, and that in particular which was call’d _Chalca_: The same Writer adds a little lower, that the Emperor commanded _Belisarius_ to go to the _Chalca_, and the other Houses of Entrance seated by it. From which Words it is observable, that _Procopius_ seems to believe, that there were other Houses of Entrance into the Palace, though in the Beginning of this Chapter he mentions only the _Chalca_. It is my Opinion, that the House where the Emperor dwelt was first call’d the _Basilica_; that afterwards, when the great Houses, where the Merchants assembled for Trade and Commerce, were call’d _Basilica_, the Emperor’s House was call’d Βασιλεῖον; and, at last, the Palace. If there was any Difference between the _Basilica_ and the Palace, yet the _Basilica_ was either a part of the Palace, or built near to it, as the Reader may see in the _Ancient Description of the Wards_, which places the _Augusteum_ and the _Basilica_ in the same _Ward_. As this _Treatise_ takes no Notice in this _Ward_ either of a Palace or a Court, but only of a _Basilica_, it seems to intimate, that the _Basilica_ was the Palace itself. But whether the _Basilica_ was within or without the Palace, it is certain it was near it, because they were both destroy’d by Fire, by reason of their Vicinity to one another; and the Rules of _Architecture_ prescribe, that it be built near a Market, which is always near the Palace; and that it be built warm, that the Merchants may manage their Business there in Winter Time, without any Molestation from the Severity of the Weather. _Julius Pollux_ is of the same Opinion, who says, That the _Stadia_, the _Hippodrom_, the _Senate-House_, the _Forum_, the Court, the Imperial _Portico_, and the _Tribunal_, ought to stand near the Theatre. _Cedrinus_ writes, that the beautiful Structure of the _Chalca_ was built by one _Ætherius_ a famous Architect, by the Command of the wife of Emperor _Anastasius_, as appears from a _Greek_ Inscription upon it, which runs thus:

Upon a Building in the Palace, call’d _Chalca_.

_I am the Palace of fam’d_ Anastasius _The Scourge of Tyrants; none surpasses me, In Beauty, and in wonderful Contrivance. When the Surveyors view’d my mighty Bulk, My Height, my Length, and my extensive Breadth; ’Twas thought beyond the Reach of human Power To roof at Top my widely gaping Walls. But young_ Ætherius, _ancient in his Art, This Building finish’d, and an Offering made To our good Emperor. Not_ Italy, _with all its Glory shews A Structure so magnificent and great; Not the proud_ Capitol _of ancient_ Rome _With all its gilded Roofs can rival me. The costly Galleries of_ Pergamus, Ruffinus’ _Walks, and stately_ Portico’s _Crowded with Art, and marbled Images Submit to my superior Workmanship. Not the fam’d Temple, which at_ Cyzico, _By_ Adrian _built, stands on a lofty Rock, Nor_ Ægypt’s _costly_ Pyramids, _nor at_ Rhodes _The mighty_ Colosse _equal me in Greatness. When my good Emperor, in hostile Manner, Quell’d the_ Isaurian _Faction, thus he rais’d me In Honour of_ Aurora, _and the Winds_.

Some modern Historians will have it, that _Constantine the Great_ first built the Palace of _Chalca_. I should be inclinable to disbelieve them, but that I am induced to think it was so, when I observ’d the brazen Tyles gilded with Gold, resembling those of the _Capitol_, and a _Forum_ of _Old Rome_, whose Buildings _Constantine_ was proud to imitate, as near as he could. I could never learn, who it was who remov’d the Tyles of the _Chalca_; though it is not improbable, but that they were spoiled by the Fire. ’Tis related by _Procopius_, that _Genseric_ plunder’d half the _Roman_ Capitol of the gilded Plates of Brass that cover’d it, and that _Constantine_ the _Third_, the Nephew of _Heraclius_, carry’d off the Silver Plates which were laid over the _Pantheon_. At a small Distance (on the South-west Side of the Church of St. _Sophia_) from the Water-Pipes of an _Aqueduct_ running from a Conduit situate in the _Forum Augusteum_, where was erected the Pillar of _Justinian_, are still remaining seven _Corinthian_ Pillars, on the _Shaft_ of one of which is cut the Name of _Constantine_, with the _Signal_ of the Cross he saw in the Heavens, with this Inscription, ἐν τούτῳ νίκα. The _Basis_ and _Shaft_ of these Pillars are buried, at the Bottom of them, under Ground, to the Depth of six Foot, which I discover’d, when I casually fell into the Foundation of the Walls, which were built between them. I could not see the _Plinth_ of the _Base_ of any of them, because it was cover’d with Earth; yet I perceiv’d the lowermost _Tore_, which was eight Digits in Thickness, and seven in Height. The Stone at the Bottom of the _Shaft_ was nine Inches broad. Every Pillar is thirty Foot and six Digits high: In short, the whole _Pillar_, _Capital_ and _Pedestal_, is about forty six Foot and a half in Height. The Bottom of the _Shaft_, which I measured just above the Stone it bears upon, is eighteen Foot in Circumference. The Pillars stand at the Distance of twenty Foot and ten Digits from each other. The Inhabitants say, that these Pillars stood within the Palace of _Constantine_; others say, that they formerly supported a Bridge, over which you passed, as you went from the Palace to the Church of St. _Sophia_. But there is nothing of Truth in either of these Opinions; for ’tis plain from what I observed before, that they stood in the _Forum Augusteum_. So that I am inclined to believe, that they supported the Arches of the _Portico’s_, in which the Statues of _Constantine the Great_, his Mother _Helena_, and other Statues were placed. From what I have said, the Reader may trace the Beauty and Grandeur of the Palaces at _Constantinople_, as well as from _Zosimus_, who says, that _Constantine_ built some Palaces at _Constantinople_, little inferior to those of _Rome_. _Eusebius_ reports, that he illustrated and adorn’d _New Rome_, and the Imperial Palace, in other respects, besides those I have mention’d, but that in the finest Buildings of his Palace, and in the Middle of all his gilded Roofs, he fix’d a Cross set with several Kinds of the richest Jewels, shining with massy Gold; intimating thereby, that he look’d upon the Cross as the Defence and Bulwark of his Government. St. _Jerome_ tells us, _That he stripp’d almost every City of its Curiosities and Ornaments, to adorn his New_ Rome. _Eusebius_ also mentions the Statues of the _Muses_, which he caused to be fix’d up in his Palace. _Sozomen_ writes, that by the Command of _Constantine_, all that was valuable in the Temples of the Ancients under his Government, and all the brazen Statues of the nicest Workmanship were brought to _Constantinople_, to beautify the City; which, he tells us, remain’d in the publick _Ways_, in the _Hippodrom_, and in the Palace, down to his Time. But not only _Constantine the Great_, but many other Emperors of _Constantinople_ ravaged the whole World for the Decoration of this City. Among these was _Constantine the Third_, the Nephew of _Heraclius_, who plunder’d _ancient Rome_ of all its brazen and Marble Statues, ship’d off all the costly Furniture of their Temples, and made more Havock there in the Space of seven Days, than the _barbarous_ Nations did in the Space of two hundred and fifty Years; for so many Years was the _Roman_ Empire in its Declension before that general Pillage. _Iornandes_, no indifferent Writer of the _Getick_ History, reports, That _Theodorick Prefect_ of _Constantinople_ was adopted, and made Consul by the Emperor _Zeno_, who honour’d him with an _Equestrian_ Statue, which was erected before the Palace. _Tzetzes_, in his _various History_, tells us, that even in his Time, the Head of _Apollo_, made by _Phidias_ in the Likeness of the Sun, remain’d in the Palace. _Suidas_ relates, that the Statue of _Pulcheria_, the Daughter of _Arcadius_, was placed in the _Chalca_, near the Walks of _Ariadne_ the first Wife of _Zeno_, and that the Statues of _Zeno_ himself were set up in the Imperial Gate-house of _Chalca_; as were also two other Statues on foot, erected upon a small Pillar, with Elegies inscrib’d upon them, composed by _Secundus_ the Philosopher. I have seen in the History of no creditable Author, tho’ well known to the People of _Constantinople_, that _Justinian_ erected on the left Side of the _Chalca_, seven Statues in Honour of his Relations, some of Brass, and some of Marble, and that he had also set up two Horses in the Nich before the _Chalca_, as also some gilded Heads of Women, in the frightful Likeness of _Medusa_; I could mention others, but that I do not much depend upon the Authority of the History. _Suidas_ says, that in the _Tribunal_ of the Palace stood the Statues of _Eudoxia_, and her Emperor _Theodosius_; of _Marcian_ and _Constantine_, till the Time of _Heraclius_.

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_.

_Great_ Theodore, _who beautify’d the City With four extensive Arches, highly merits The Government of four Imperial Cities_.

And on another Part of the same Arch:

_You_, Theodorus, _with surprizing Art, Once_ Consul, _and thrice_ Prefect _of the City, Adorn’d this shining Fane with lofty Pillars, Sacred to_ Fortune, _Goddess of the City_.

_Calliades_, General of the _Byzantian_ Army, plac’d the Statues of _Byzas_ and _Phidalia_ in the _Basilica_, with this Inscription upon them:

Calliades _erected here the Statues Of_ Byzas, _and his lov’d_ Phidalia.

And on the Statue of _Phidalia_:

_This is the Statue of the fair_ Phidalia _Young_ Byzas’ _Wife, the Work of_ Bupalus.

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

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

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

CHAP. XX.

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

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

Upon the publick School in _Byzantium_.

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

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

CHAP. XXI.

_Of the_ Chalcopratia.

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

CHAP. XXII.

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

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

CHAP. XXIII.

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

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

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

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

CHAP. XXIV.

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

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

CHAP. XXV.

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

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

_The End of the Second Book._

THE ANTIQUITIES OF CONSTANTINOPLE.