The Antiquities of Constantinople

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.

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.

BOOK III