The Antiquities of Constantinople

The Bagnio’s of Arcadius.] They were so called, because they were built by him, as Procopius writes in his 1st Orat. concerning the Buildings of Justinian. As you sail, says he, out of the Propontis, to the Eastern Coast, you see a Publick Bagnio, call’d the Arcadian Bagnio, which is a great Ornament to the City. In this Place Justinian built a Court, which lies before the City, so near to the Sea, that they who walk upon the Shore, may hold a Discourse with any of the Ships Crew, as they sail by them. The Account I shall give of the Curiosities of this Court, is as follows. The Court it self is a very beautiful Building, and is fann’d with gentle Breezes. ’Tis paved with delicate Marble, and adorned with stately Pillars, which afford a delectable Prospect, even to a Brightness, which seems to rival a Meridian Sun-shine. There are also many other Curiosities which adorn this Court, some of which are Pieces of most elegant Workmanship, both in Brass and Stone. Thus far Procopius. The Bagnio’s here mentioned are probably the same with those which are called the Xerolophus, which Cedrinus tells us were built by Arcadius. The Xerolophus, says he, was built by Arcadius, the Pillars of which are all like that Pillar, which Theodosius erected in the Taurus. Socrates in his Seventh Book, Chap. 1. attests, that this Building stood in the Forum of Arcadius. For speaking of one Sabbatius a Heretick, he says, that the People rais’d a Tax to oppose Sesonnicus their Bishop, in a Place of the City which is called Ξηρόλοφος, in the Forum of Arcadius. Thus Socrates. This was certainly a Building which consisted of several Apartments, which induces me to believe it was the Bagnio’s here mentioned. For Nicephorus Gregoras, in his Seventh Book, Chap. 1. writes, That Athanasius, Patriarch of Constantinople, resided some Time in the Apartments of the Xerolophus. The Word Xerolophus, says Suidas, signifies a Dry Unction, and the Place was called so, because, when any Body was anointed there, they never used to bath, and adds; That this Place was formerly famous for Oracles, and that answers were given to Enquiries there made, from a Tripos. There were also in the same Place sixteen private Apartments, with Winding-Stairs. I have seen it in an antient Greek Author, that there were here twelve Buildings with Winding-Stairs, as also the Columns of Diana, Severus, Marcianus, and the Statues of Valentinian, and Theodosius the Less. Justinian also quotes an Inscription there, taken out of the Fifth Book of Xenophon’s Anabasis. Zonaras also writes, that when Leo Isaurus was Emperor of Constantinople, the Statue of Arcadius, placed upon a Pillar in the Xerolophus, was thrown down by an Earthquake. The Bagnio’s here mentioned were called Publick, or Imperial Bagnio’s; whereas those which were built by private Persons were called Thermæ, or Baths.

A Hundred and eighteen Houses.] I take the Word Houses in this Place, to signifie the Dwelling Houses of some of the principal Men of the City, as the Great Mens Houses at Rome were distinguished by standing by themselves, and having no other Houses adjoining to them.

Two Portico’s of a great Length.] These Portico’s, as at present, were not joined to Houses, so as to seem a Part of them, but were built separate from them, contrived for the Pleasure of Walking, and refreshing the Mind. Hence it is, that Strabo, Lib. V. de Geogra. where he is describing the Parts of Rome, calls the Portico of Livia the περίπατον, or Walk. Pliny is of the same Opinion in his Fourth Book, Chap. 1. Strabo tells us in another Place, that the Cumani of Æolis borrowed Money to build a Portico, and that when they failed, as to the Time of Payment, the Person, who gave them Credit, laid them under a Prohibition not to walk in it, but only when it rained; and when the Cryer called aloud to them to enter the Portico, it passed into a Proverb, That the Cumani dared not to enter their Portico without the Leave of the Cryer. These are the same Kind of Portico’s which Ulpian means, where he mentions the Portico’s, which had no Houses adjoining to them. Tacitus, Lib. XV. speaking of the Burning of Rome by Nero, takes Notice of these Ambulatory Portico’s, when he tells us, that the Portico’s which were dedicated to Pleasure, were most of them destroyed by Fire. There was a Portico of this Sort at Athens, Part of which, as Pliny records, Lib. XXXV. Cap. 3. was painted by Myco, who was paid for it; and the other Part was finished gratis by Polygnotus, an eminent Painter. It was for this Reason, that ’twas call’d Porticus varia, or ποικίλη. This is the same Portico in which Zeno taught, and for which he was called the Father of the Stoicks. Suidas says, that it was customary to adorn such Portico’s with Silver and Marble Statues, as appears by a Will mentioned by Marcellus, which runs thus, My Will and Pleasure is, that my Heir, at his own Expence, build in my native Countrey a Publick Portico, in which, I desire my Silver and Marble Statues may be reposited. I believe my Author understands in this Clause of the Will, the same Kind of Portico’s with those I now comment upon, which were of so considerable a Length, that they reached from the Imperial Palace, to the Forum of Constantine. For Procopius writes, in his First Orat. de Ædif. Justin. That in the Reign of Justinian, the Church of St. Sophia, and both the long Portico’s, stretching themselves as far as the Forum of Constantine, were burnt down. The same Fact is testified by Cedrinus, who says, that both these Portico’s were consumed by Fire, in the Reign of Basiliscus, altho’ after these Casualities, they were always rebuilt. I would observe, that every Ward at Constantinople had in it some Portico’s, though some Wards at Rome had none.

Four Gradus.] The Word, which is here called Gradus, signifies a Tribunal, which was ascended by Marble Steps, to receive the Bread which was to be distributed among the common People, and which, was therefore called, Panis Gradilis. Valentinian tells us, that the carrying the Panis Gradilis from one Tribunal to another, is strictly forbidden. He also commands in Cod. Theod. that every one receive the Panis Gradilis from the Tribunal. From which Passages it is plain, that this Gradus was a famous Tribunal, from whence they used to distribute Bread. For Constantine, as Metaphrastes writes, bestowed every Day upon the Poor, eighty Thousand Loaves. Socrates, Lib. II. Cap. 13. says expressly, that he gave Daily eighty Thousand Bushels of Corn to the Poor; besides, as Suidas adds, Wine, and Flesh, and Oil. These were therefore Gradus, or Tribunals, erected in this Ward for that Purpose.

It was governed by one Curator, who had under his Charge the whole Ward.] The Curators (who seem something like our Aldermen) were first instituted by Augustus, and by Suetonius, Cap. XXX. are called Magistratus. He divided, says he, meaning Augustus, the City into Streets and Wards, and commanded that the Wards should be governed by a Magistrate, chosen by Lot yearly, and that the Streets should be governed by a Master elected out of the common People. Afterwards, in the Room of these, Alexander Augustus appointed fourteen Curators. Lampridius tells us, that Rome chose fourteen Curators, out of the most eminent Citizens, and obliged them to assist the Prefect of the City, so that all, or most of them attended, when any Thing was transacted for the good of the Publick. It was a principal Part of their Business to decide Causes, and to take Care of Orphans, and the Poor.

There was also one Vernaculus who was Messenger of the Ward, he assisted the Curator, and was entirely at his Command.] The Business of this Officer was to be subservient to the Curator, and give Notice to, and summon the Citizens to meet in all Matters, which more immediately related to the Ward. Their Office was the same, mentioned by S. Rufus, and P. Victor, who give them at Old Rome, the Name of Denunciatores. Two of which were appointed to assist in every Ward.

It had also twenty five Collegiati, chosen out of the several Bodies of Tradesmen, whose Business it was, to direct and assist in Cases of Fire.] At Rome the Præfectus Vigilum commanded in Chief the seven Companies of Freemen appointed for a constant Watch to the City. This Office was instituted by Augustus, who placed a single Company over two Wards, as is observed by Suetonius, and Dion. Lib. LV. and by Paullus, Lib. de Offi. præ. Vigil. These Men were chosen out of the several Bodies of the Tradesmen, whose Business was the same with those at Rome; and were called Collegiati. The Number of them was always stated, and unalterable so that when one of them died, the Prefect of the City filled up the Vacancy with one of his own Body. Honorius and Theodosius, in their Letters Mandatory to Æstius Prefect of the City, will and command, That the Number of five hundred sixty three be the standing Number of them, and that no Person presume by any Authority whatsoever, to alter that Number; so that it shall be lawful to you only, in the Presence of the Body Corporate, when any Person is deceased, or otherways removed, to elect, and nominate one to succeed him out of the same Body Corporate of which he was a Member: These Collegiati are chosen out of thirty five Corporations of Tradesmen, which are particularly specified in a Letter sent by Constantine to Maximus, and are discharged upon their Election from all other Offices whatsoever. In this first Ward, there were only twenty five of them, in others more or less, who made up the Number a Hundred and sixty, or a Hundred and sixty three. To complete the Number of which, as appears from the first Book of Zeno de Collegiat. Thirty seven or forty, are wanting in the last Ward. The Word Collegiati, in other Places, sometimes signifies the Deacons who buried the Dead; and sometimes it is taken for Freemen, as in Lib. XLI. Co. Theod. de Op. Pub.

There were also five Vico-Magistri, whose Business it was to watch the City by Night.] These were originally instituted by Augustus. Suetonius, in the Life of Augustus, Chap. XXX. writes, that the City was divided into Streets and Wards, and adds, that Augustus commanded, that the Magistrates of the Wards should be annually chosen by Lot. The Streets were governed by the Vico-Magistri, who were elected out of the Commons, in the Neighbourhood of the Streets, over which they presided; so that as those who governed the Wards were called Curatores, so they who governed the Streets were called Vico-Magistri. ’Tis very probable, that these Magistrates had some Soldiers under their Command to prevent Robberies, and other Outrages committed in the Night, as Old Rome had its Vigils, or Watchmen, who were all Soldiers. There were two, three, or four Vico-Magistri appointed over every Street at Rome: At Constantinople every Ward had but five, so that the whole Number of them is Seventy; although my Author in his Summary View of the City, which follows hereafter, reckons no more than sixty five.

The Second Ward

THE second Ward, after an easy, and almost imperceptible Ascent above its Level from the lesser Theatre, falls with a deep Precipice down to the Sea. This Ward contains in it, the Great Church of St. Sophia; the Old Church; the Senate-House; a Tribunal with Porphyry Steps; the Bagnio’s of Zeuxippus; a Theatre; an Amphitheatre; thirty four Streets; ninety eight large Houses; four great Portico’s; thirteen private Baths; four private Mills, and four Gradus. It has also one Curator, one Vernaculus, thirty five Collegiati, and five Vico-Magistri.

NOTES

The great Church of St. Sophia.] This Church, some say, was built by Constantine, others by Constantius. It was afterwards burnt down, and rebuilt by Justinian, and was then look’d upon as the finest and most beautiful Church in the whole World. Periander, and others, whose Works are still extant, have described at large the Delicacy and Magnificence of this wonderful Piece of Architecture. Evagrius writes, that this Church measured in Length a Hundred and ninety Foot, in Breadth a Hundred and fifteen; and that from the Pavement to the Top of the Cupola, it was an Hundred and eighty Foot high.

The Old Church.] I suppose the Author here means one of those Churches which were built by Constantine, some of which are mentioned by Procopius, in Lib. de Ædif. Justinian.

The Senate-House.] In this Place they held their Senate, which, as Sozomen affirms, was built by Constantine the Great, where he commanded the same yearly Solemnity to be celebrated on the Calends of Jan. as was done at Rome. It was burnt down, upon a Sedition occasioned by an Attempt to banish St. Chrysostom out of the City, and was rebuilt, as Procopius tells us, with greater Splendor.

A Tribunal with Porphyry Steps.] This Tribunal was made of Porphyry Marble, which Word in Latin, signifies Purple, because Porphyry Marble is of a Purple Colour.

The Bagnio’s of Zeuxippus.] These Bagnio’s were famous for a Portico, which run round the Houses and Shops adjoining to them. There was a yearly Revenue assigned for lighting the Lamps of this Bagnio, and repairing them. Theodosius in Lib. de Op. Pub. writes thus; Because there are many Houses and Shops adjoining the Portico’s of Zeuxippus, we will and command, that the yearly Income of the said Houses and Shops, without any Pretence or Excuse to the contrary, be paid into our Imperial Bagnio, for purchasing Lights, and for the Repairs of the said Bagnio’s. This Passage is part of a Letter which he wrote to Severinus, Prefect of the City, (not Prætor) as it stands in the Codex Theodos. de Op. Pub. These Bagnio’s formerly stood near the Imperial Palace, and were afterwards called the Bagnio’s of the Numeri, as Nicephorus writes, Lib. IX. Cap. 9. Sozomen and Socrates take Notice of the same Bagnio’s. I believe they were first built by Zeuxippus, who persecuted the Christians at Byzantium, much about the Time of Nero; and who among other of his Severities, forced St. Andrew to fly to Argyropolis. If I mistake not, he was at that Time Lieutenant of Macedonia and Thrace. These Bagnio’s were enlarged and beautified by Severus the Emperor, for which Reason they were afterwards called the Bagnio’s of Severus. After this they were called Balnea Numerorum, because great Numbers of Soldiers use to bath there. Zosimus, in his second Book writes, that these Bagnio’s formerly stood in a Peninsula. In antient Times, says he, Constantinople had a Port at the End of the Bagnio’s, which were built by Severus the Emperor, when he was reconciled to the Byzantians, for opening the Gates of the City to Niger, his Enemy. Suidas says, that a Poet named Christodorus, celebrated the Statues and Images of Zeuxippus in Verse, among which he is very particular in the Praises of the Statue of Hesiod. Procopius, in his First Book, de Ædif. Justinian. tells us, that these Bagnio’s were rebuilt by Justinian, but were called the Zeuxippum, because in this Place they used to run their Horses in Pairs, as the Word Zeuxippus signifies in the Greek. St. Gregory Nazianzen takes Notice of them in his Oration to the Arians, and in another which he made concerning himself. I am not, says he, taking a Journey to a new Jerusalem, that is to the Zeuxippum; for that Place was laid in Ashes in the Reign of Justinian. The Bagnio’s of Severus, as Cedrinus relates, which were call’d the Zeuxippum, were consumed by Fire. In this Place was a very delightful Variety of Prospects. All the ingenious Contrivances of Art were here expressed in Marble and Stone, and the most elaborate Workmanship of Antiquity. In short, the Designs here were so matchless and inimitable, that they seemed to want nothing but a Soul to animate, and inform them. Among other surprizing Pieces of antient Skill, was the Statue of old Homer. The Figure was finished very naturally, and in his Looks might be observed a great Thoughtfulness, with a Mixture of much Uneasiness and Trouble. This Place was also beautified with brazen Pillars, which had been here set up in Honour of those great Personages, who had been renowned for their Learning or Virtue, through the whole World.

An Amphitheatre.] This stands near the Sea Shore. You must pass by it, as you go to the Imperial Palace, and the Port of Julian, between which Places there were formerly Lime Kilns, which were commanded to be filled up by Theodosius the Less, as the Reader may see in Lib. ult. Cod. Theod. We will and command, says he, that all Lime-kilns, standing on any Ground, between the Sea Shore, the Amphitheatre, and the Port of St. Julian, be entirely demolished, for the Benefit and Health of our most great and magnificent City, and by Reason of the Nearness they stand to our Imperial Palace; and we do hereby prohibit all Persons whatsoever for the future, to burn any Lime in those Places.

The Third Ward

THE third Ward, at the Entrance of it, is a Level Ground, and stands, in Part, where the Circus is built; but descends, at the End of it, with a very great Declivity down to the Sea, and contains, the same Circus Maximus; the House of Pulcheria Augusta; the new Port; a Portico of a Semi-circular Figure, made after the Likeness of the Greek Letter Sigma, which was formerly wrote thus, C; the Tribunal of the Forum of Constantine; seven Streets; ninety four great Houses; five large Portico’s; eleven private Bagnio’s; and nine private Mills. It had one Curator, one Vernaculus, twenty one Collegiati, and five Vico-Magistri.

NOTES

The House of Pulcheria Augusta.] This Lady was the Sister of Theodosius the Less, who continued for some Time unmarried. When her Brother was dead, she married Martian, and made him Emperor. Zonaras, Cedrinus, Zosimus, Nicephorus, and other Historians have mentioned many Things of her. She had also another House in the eleventh Ward.

The New Port.] This probably is the same Port that was built by Julian the Apostate. There was another Port in the sixth Ward called Portus Neorius, because there was a Dock there for building Ships.

A Portico of a Semi-circular Figure.] The Greek Letter Σ, as ’tis now wrote, was formerly wrote C. Zonaras and Cedrinus often take Notice of this Portico.

The Fourth Ward

THE fourth Ward extends itself in a long Vale, the Hills rising on the Right and Left from the Miliarium Aureum through a Vale, to a plain level Ground. It contains, the Miliarium Aureum; the Augusteum; a Basilica; a Nympheum; the Portico of Phanio; a Marble Galley, the Monument of a naval Victory; the Church of St. Menna; a Stadium; The Stairs of Timasius; thirty two Streets; three hundred and seventy five great Houses; four large Portico’s; seven private Baths; five private Mills; and seven Gradus. It is presided by one Curator, assisted by one Vernaculus, forty Collegiati, and five Vico-Magistri.

NOTES

The Miliarium Aureum.] Cedrinus, speaking of the Miliarium Aureum, writes thus: Under the Roof of the Miliarium Aureum were placed the Statues of Constantine the Great, and his Mother, with a Cross between them. Behind him stands Trajan, and near his Mother is the Statue of Ælius Hadrianus on Horseback. There is a Clock here, which was set up by Justinian. There was also a Miliarium Aureum at Rome, erected in the Forum by Augustus, from whence they used to adjust the Distances of Places, and the Mensuration of Miles, all the Roads of Italy meeting at the Foot of it, as ’tis observed by Plutarch, Dion, P. Victor, and others. Yet Æmilius Macer is of another Opinion. A Mile, says he, is not to be computed from the Miliarium, but from the Houses, upon the Skirts of the City, to the Place to which you measure. As then there was a Miliarium Aureum at Rome, so there was at Constantinople, which imitated Old Rome as near as it could; tho’ at Rome it was built in the Figure of a Pillar, at Constantinople it was another kind of Building, as is evident from what is above-mentioned by Cedrinus; and is also attested by Suidas, who writes, that under the Roof of the Miliarium, stood the Cross, the Figures of Constantine and Helena, the Image of Fortune, and many other Statues. He calls it not the Miliarium, but the Milium.

The Augusteum.] This was a large Pillar of Brass, erected by Justinian, as Cedrinus relates, who tells us, that in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of Justinian, was finished the great brazen Pillar, which is called the Augusteum. Upon it was placed the Statue of Justinian on Horseback, holding in his Right Hand an Apple, in Imitation of a Globe, to signify that the whole World was subject to his Government. He sat with his Right Hand stretched out, pointing to the Persians to stand off, and not to approach his Dominions. All the Coverings of the Passage of Entrance into the Imperial Palace, were made of gilded Brass. This is still called the Brazen Passage, as the Pillar is call’d the Augusteum. Procopius speaks largely of it in his Oration de Ædif. Justin. where he writes, that not the Pillar, but the Place where the Pillar stood, was called the Augusteum, as it was also the Macellum. The principal Pillar, says he, is to be admired for its Size, yet is it no regular and uniform Structure, but made of Stones of a vast Compass. The Pedestal and Top of it is covered with the most refined Brass, which by cramping its Stones together, does at the same Time both strengthen and adorn it. The Brass, as to its Lustre, is not much inferior to pure Gold, and at least of equal Worth and Beauty with the finest Silver. At the Top of this Pillar was placed a very large Horse cast in Brass, facing the East, wonderful in his Kind, in a walking Posture, with his Head bending downwards, lifting up his near Fore-Foot, as though he would paw the Ground. His Off-Foot is fixed to the Pedestal, on which he stands; and his Hind-Feet are so closely contracted, as if he was rising upon his Speed. Upon him sits the Statue of the Emperor in Brass, whom they call Achilles, because he is somewhat like him. He has no Boots, but his Feet are bound round with a kind of Sandals. He is armed with a radiant Breast-plate and Head-piece, and looks, you would fancy, as if he were marching, in a war-like Posture, against the Persians. In his left Hand he bears a Globe, by which ’tis signified, that the Earth and the Sea is subject to his Power. He is not equipped either with Sword nor Spear. There’s a Cross fixed upon the Globe, intimating, that under its auspicious Influence, he arrived to the Imperial Dignity; and that all Success in War is to be attributed to the Omnipotency of the Saviour of Mankind. His Right Hand, which is open, is stretched Eastward, and seems to forbid the barbarous Nations to approach his Territories. Below this Place, stands the Forum called Augustum. This Forum stands before the Imperial Palace; ’tis surrounded with Pillars, and the Inhabitants call it Augustum. Eastward from hence stands the Curia, or Prætorium, which was built by Justinian, where the old Romans, in the Beginning of the new Year used, as Suidas observes, to perform a solemn Festival. Phavorinus relates, that the Flesh-Market was the same with the Augusteum. It was so called, says Suidas, because the Curatores, and Senastophori of the Wards, used every Year, on the Ides of October, to dance in Honour of Augustus, or because the Statues of Constantine, and Helena his Mother, were erected there.