The Antiquities of Constantinople

APPENDIX

The following Piece was communicated to me by a Gentleman of the University of Oxford, who had copy’d it from the latter End of the Second Book of Nicetas Choniat, Concerning the Destruction of Constantinople. I had no sooner perus’d it, but I found it so curious in it self, and so well suited to the Subject of my Author, that I perceiv’d the Obligations I was under for that Favour; and judg’d it worthy of a Translation. I would only farther advertise the Reader, that the following Passage is not to be met with in any of the Printed Copies of Choniat, but is a Transcript from him in that Part of his Book, where he writes, concerning the Statues of Constantinople, which the Romans, when they took that City, caused to be melted down, and coyn’d. The Passage may be found in a MS. Cod. Bodl. fol. 447. l. 25. and runs thus:

The Roman Conquerours, who were of an with avaritious Temper, even to a Proverb, practis’d a new Method of Rapine and Plunder, entirely unknown to those who had taken the City before them. For breaking open by Night the Royal Sepulchres in the great Grove of the Heroum, they sacrilegiously rifled the Corps of those Blessed Disciples of Jesus Christ, and carry’d off whatsoever was valuable in Gold, Rings, and Jewels, which they could find in these Repositories of the Dead. But coming to the Body of the Emperor Justinian, and finding his Coffin untouch’d, tho’ it was publickly known for some Years that it was nobly enrich’d, aw’d with in Fear and Admiration, they forbore to disturb the Imperial Ashes. And as they express’d no Reverence and Regard to the Dead, so were they equally Savage and Inhuman in their Treatment of the Living; even to those who were their own Countreymen. They spar’d neither the House of God, nor his Ministers, but stripped the great Church (Sancta Sophia) of all its fine Ornaments and Hangings, made of the richest Brocades, of inestimable Value: But still continuing unsatiable in their Avarice, they no sooner cast their Eyes upon the brazen Statues, than they order’d them to be melted down. The fine Statue of Juno in Brass, which stood in the Forum of Constantine, they chopt in Pieces, and threw it into the Forge. The Head of this Statue was so large, that four Yoke of Oxen could scarce drag it into the Palace. Upon the Base of it was cut, in Basso Relievo, the Figure of Paris, Venus standing by him, presenting her with the Apple of Discord. The noble Quadrilateral Pillar, supported with several Ranges of Pillars, and which by its Height overlook’d the whole City, and was both the Wonder and the Delight of the curious Spectator, shared the same Fate. This lofty Column was adorn’d with rural Representations of all kinds of singing Birds, Folds of Cattle, milking Pails, of Sheep bleating, and of Lambs frisking and playing, &c. There was also engrav’d upon it a View of the Sea and Sea-Gods; some of whom were catching Fish with their Hands; others ordering their Nets, then diving to the Bottom; whilst some in a wanton Manner, were throwing Balls at one another. This Pillar supported a Pyramid at the Top of it, upon which was plac’d the Statue of a Woman, which turn’d about with the Wind, and was therefore called Anemodes. This excellent Piece was also melted down for Coinage, as was also an Equestrian Statue, fixed upon a Quadrilateral Pedestal in the Taurus. This was a bold Figure, of an heroic Countenance, and surprizing Stature. It was reported by some, that he was one of the Spies, who was sent by Joshua the Son of Nun. With one Hand he pointed Eastward, with the other to the West, and the Coast of Gabeon. But this Statue was generally believed to represent Bellerophon, (born and brought up at Peloponnesus) sitting upon Pegasus; for the Horse was without a Bridle, as Pegasus is mostly figur’d, scouring the Plain, despising a Rider, flying and driving about in a headstrong manner. There is an old Report, which at this Day is in every Body’s Mouth, that there was stampt in the Breast-Plate of this Horse, with great Skill, the Figure of a Man, which appear’d outwardly; this Image was either one of the Venetici, the Epizophurii, or the Bulgari, who were not, at that Time, conquer’d by the Romans. This Horse and his Rider were also melted down. In the Accoutrements of this Horse was likewise found a small brazen Image, wrapp’d up as it were in Wool, which the Romans look’d upon to be of little or no Value, and therefore threw that also into the Fire. Neither did the Resentment of the barbarous and unpolite Soldiers stop here, but they expressed the utmost Fury against the finest Statues, and most curious Pieces of Workmanship in the Hippocum, cutting the largest of them, which cost immense Sums, into small Coins of little Value. The great Statue of Hesperian Hercules, fix’d upon a magnificent Pedestal, clothed in a Lyon’s Skin, which seem’d to live, and affright the Spectators with his tremendous Voice, felt the Marks of military Power. He was not here arm’d with his Quiver, his Bow, or his Club, but stretching out his right Leg and Arm, he kneeled upon his left Knee, and leaning upon his left Elbow, with his Hand open, he supported his Head in a thoughtful Manner, and seem’d to lament his Misfortunes; uneasy above all at those which Eurystheus out of mere Envy had impos’d upon him. This Figure was broad-chested, the Shoulders were large, his Hair long, curl’d, and reaching to his Waste; his Arms were brawny, and as long as those of the Original made by Lysimachus, which was the first and last Master-piece of his Skill. In short, of such a stupendous Size was this Statue, that his Wrist was as thick as a Man’s Body, and the Length of his Leg equal in height to that of any ordinary Person. This noble Statue, I say, did not escape the Rage of these mighty Pretenders to native Virtue and Honour: Beside this, they also carry’d away the Image of the Loaded Ass and his Driver. These Figures were set up originally by Augustus Cæsar at Actium, of whom the Fable goes, that when he went out privately in the Night Time to take a View of Anthony’s Army, he met a Man driving an Ass; and asking him “Who he was, and whither he was going? He answered, my Name is Nichon, and my Ass’s Nichander, and I am going to Cæsar’s Army”. The Statues also of the Hyæna, and the Wolf which suckled Romulus and Remus, underwent the same Fate, and were coyn’d into little brazen Staters. The several Statues also of a Man fighting with a Lyon, of the Horse Neilôus, cover’d with Scales behind, of an Elephant with a moving Proboscis, of the Sphinx’s, beautiful as Women, and terrible as Beasts; which can occasionally walk, or fly in the Air, to fight with Birds of Prey. There was also the Statue of a wild Horse, pricking up his Ears, snorting, curvetting, and prancing; this, and old Scylla were served in the same injurious Manner. She was figur’d like a Woman to the Waste, with a grim frightful Look, just as she appear’d, when she sent her Dogs to destroy Ulysses. There was also plac’d in the Hippocum a brazen Eagle, which was the Invention of Apollonius Tyanæus, and a celebrated Monument of his Sorcery. This Impostor, when he was once requested by the Byzantians, to heal them of the Bitings of Serpents, which was then a common Malady among them, immediately using some diabolical Charms, and heathenish Ceremonies, he plac’d this Eagle upon a Pillar; it was a pleasant Sight enough, and deserv’d the Curiosity of being more narrowly inspected; for it made an agreeable Harmony, and less dangerous than that of the Syrens. Its Wings were stretch’d out, as ready for Flight, and it was trampling upon a Serpent, wreathing it self about him. The Serpent seem’d to make the utmost Effort to bite the Eagle, but its Venom had no Power to hurt him. The Eagle seem’d to gripe him so hard in his Talons, that he was forced to hang down his Head quietly, and seem’d either to be unwilling, or unable to spit his Venom at him. The Eagle, on the other Hand, look’d brisk and sprightly, and having obtain’d the Victory, seem’d to be in Haste, to bear him through the Air in Triumph, denoting by the Sprightliness of his Look, and the Feebleness of the Serpent, that the Serpents, that tormented the Byzantians, would hurt them no more, but suffer themselves even to be handled and strok’d by them. But these were not the only Curiosities observable in this Aquiline Statue. It was also very remarkable, that the twelve Hours were engraven under its Wings, under each Wing six, which shew’d the Hour of the Day, by the Rays of the Sun darting thro’ a Hole in each Wing, artificially made for that Purpose. But what shall I now say of the fine Proportions of Helen, who engag’d all Greece in her Quarrel, and for whose Sake Troy itself was laid in Ruines? No Wonder that when living she could charm the most stubborn, and soften the most impenetrable Heart, when in breathing Brass she captivated all that saw her. Her Habit sat loose upon her, which discover’d too great an Inclination for Gallantry. Her Hair, which seem’d to wave in the Wind, was long and delicate, braided with Gold and Jewels. Her Robe was girt about her, falling down to the Knee. Her Lips seem’d like the opening Roses, you would fancy they mov’d, and such an agreeable Smile brightned her Countenance, as entertain’d the Eye of the Spectator with Pleasure. It is impossible for me to describe the Sweetness and Chearfulness of her Looks, the Arches of her Eyes, and the perfect Symmetry of the whole Statue. Take it therefore as it is given us by Poets and Historians. Helen the Daughter of Tyndarus was the Perfection of Beauty, the Child of Love, the Pride, and the Care of Venus; the Master-piece of Nature, the great Prize of the Grecians and Trojans. Where is now your Nepenthe, the secret Charm to guard you from all Evils? Where are your irresistible Philtrums? Why did you not use them against these barbarous Invaders, with the same Success as you did formerly? But I suppose it was determined by the Fates, that you should fall by the Force of Fire, who have rais’d such Flames in the Breasts of those who came to behold you; or perhaps these our new Conquerours, who pretend to be descended from the Trojans, threw your Statue into the Fire, to revenge the burning of that City, of which you was only the innocent Cause. But I can neither think nor speak with Patience of these avaritious Monsters, who have demolish’d the most valuable, the most curious, the most costly Statues in the whole World; Fellows, who would have sold their Wives for Money; who behav’d themselves rather like Birds of Prey, than a regular well-disciplin’d Army; only with this Difference, that they spent their Prey as loosely, as they got it ingloriously, and would willingly venture their Lives to support their Extravagance. Hear these Verses of Homer, who is well known to the Greeks and the Barbarians; to the Learned, and Unlearned, concerning Helen.

Pardon this Digression: – There was also plac’d upon a Pillar a more modern Statue of a Woman, which was very curious and agreeable. Her Hair hung down behind, combed close down from the Forehead backwards, not breaded up, but bending to the Hand of the Spectator. Upon the right Hand of this Statue stood the Equestrian Statue of a Man. The Horse stood upon one Leg, the other bore a Cup with a mix’d Potion. The Rider was of a large Size, his Body compleatly arm’d, his Legs and his Feet were cover’d with Greaves, his Air was manly, rough, and warlike. The Horse was mettlesome, and high courag’d, pricking up his Ears, as tho’ he heard the Trumpet. His Neck was high, his Look fierce, his Eyes sparkling, as eager for the Battle; he rear’d up his Fore-feet, and pranced like a War-Horse. Near this Statue, hard by the Eastern Goal, call’d Rusius, were a Range of Statues of Charioteers, dextrous in driving the Chariot, and turning the Goal. They were very busy in managing their Bridles, and smacking their Whips, and directing their Horses, with their Eyes fix’d steddily upon the Goal. In short, there seem’d to be describ’d in these Figures all the Tumult and Fury of a Chariot Race, with the most vigorous Struggle for Victory and Success. This Description of these Statues may seem imperfect; for it never was my Intention to describe them all. But what gave me the most agreeable Pleasure, and seem’d to me the most admirable Piece of Workmanship, was a large Pedestal, upon which was plac’d an Animal cast in Brass, as large as an Ox, having a short Tail, and a moderate Dewlap, something like the Ægyptian Cattle. It had no Hoofs; but held in its Teeth, ready to strangle it, another Animal, cloth’d all over with Scales, almost impenetrable. It seem’d to be a Basilisk, and had a Mouth somewhat like a Serpent’s. It was taken by many to be an Ox of the Nile, and by some to be a Crocodile. But I forbear to give the several Conjectures upon it. These Figures however seem’d to represent an odd Sort of Fight, each of them furiously striving for Victory. The Creature which seem’d to be the Basilisk was in Colour like a Frog, and was all over bloated from Head to Foot. He was casting out his Venom upon his Antagonist, with an Intent to destroy him. This Animal was carv’d as bearing upon one Knee, and in a languishing Condition. This Observation gave the Spectators occasion to believe it fallen dead backward, if the Base where he stood had not supported him. There was also the Figure of another Animal, in whose Jaws was represented a Smaller Creature, whose Mouth was open as almost choak’d by the Teeth which held him, struggling to get loose, but to no Purpose. His Tail, which was very Short, seem’d to tremble; his Shoulders, his fore Feet, and the hinder Part of his Body, were hid in the Mouth of his Enemy, and mash’d by his Jaws. These Animals also mutually kill’d each other. Thus we may observe, that these Poisonous Creatures, so destructive to Man, are no less noxious to each other. And this, many Times, is the Case of Nations, and Kingdoms, as was exemplify’d in the Romans, when they made War upon us; killing, and destroying one another, through the Power of Christ, who rejoyceth not in Blood, and disperseth the Nations that delight in War; who maketh the Just to walk upon the Adder, and the Basilisk, and treadeth the Lyon and Dragon under his Feet.

In the Beginning of this MS upon a large Folio Page, are inscrib’d the following Words, in the Benefactor’s own Hand. “Sir John Roe, Bart. Ambassador from His Majesty of Great Brittain to the Grand Seignior, as a perpetual Testimony of his Gratitude to the University, (Oxon) gave this Book, which he met with in his Travels, to the Publick Library, 1628.”

A DESCRIPTION Of the WARDS of Constantinople