Kitabı oku: «The Antiquities of Constantinople», sayfa 19

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.

 
– No Wonder such Celestial Charms,
For ten long Years should hold the World in Arms.
 

Pope.

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.”

FINIS

A DESCRIPTION Of the WARDS of Constantinople

The first Region, or Ward

THE first Ward contains in it, the House of Placidia Augusta; the House of the most illustrious Marina; the Bagnio’s of Arcadius; twenty nine Streets; an Hundred and eighteen large Houses; two Portico’s of a great Length; fifteen private Bagnio’s; four publick, and fifteen private Mills; and four Gradus. It was governed by one Curator, who had under his Charge, the whole Ward. There was also one Vernaculus, who was Messenger of the Ward, was also Assistant to him, and entirely at his Command. It had also twenty five Collegiati, chosen out of the several Bodies of Tradesmen, whose Office it was to direct and assist in Cases of Fire. There were also five Vico-Magistri, whose Business it was to watch the City by Night.

Thus far my Author. I shall here add a Remark made by Gyllius, it not being foreign to our Purpose, viz. That those whom P. Victor and S. Rufus, believed to have been called the Denunciatores in antient Rome, here in new Rome, he calls Vernaculi. Neither of them mention the Collegiati, tho’ all Historians take Notice of the Vico-Magistri, who with more Propriety of the Latin Tongue, should rather have been called Vicorum Magistri, as appears, he tells us, by an Inscription yet remaining in the Capitol of Old Rome, which is as follows.

IMP. CAESARI DIVI

TRAIANI PARTHICI FIL

DIVI NERVAE NEPOTI

TRAIANO HADRIANO

AVG. PONTIF. MAXIMO

TRIBVNIC. POTESTAT. XX

IMP. II. CON. III. P

MAGISTRI VICORVM XIIII

NOTES

The first Ward.] ’Tis evident from Pliny, and also from Tacitus, in that Part of his History, where he mentions the Burning of the City by Nero, that antient Rome was divided into fourteen Regions, or Wards. Sex. Rufus, and P. Victor, who had pass’d the Consular Dignity, have given us some short Descriptions of them. As to the Wards of New Rome, they are here described as I found them placed before the Notitia Utriusque Imperii. Constantinople, which was a kind of Representation of Old Rome, was likewise after her Example, as Justinian observes in his 43^d Novel, divided into fourteen Wards; and he calls them Regions or Wards. There were many Monuments of Antiquity carried thither from Old Rome, and many new ones made there, which I could by no Means pass by, as the Accounts of them may be necessary to the Knowledge of both Places. And therefore to explain and illustrate them the more, I have subjoined some Annotations of my own; and have also taken Notice, as they fell in my Way, of some Observations made in my Comments on the Notitia, &c. The Author of the Description observes this Method. The Churches, and other Matters which are most Material, he treats of in the first Place, then he mentions what is less Important, in the same Order, in every Ward; as the Streets, Houses, Bagnio’s, Mills, the Gradus, then the Curator, Vernaculus, the Collegiati, and last of all, the Vico-Magistri. In the thirteenth Ward, through a Mistake, the Streets are omitted, which Error I have taken Care to correct, as I have also another in the fourteenth Ward, where he has left out the Curator, the Vernaculus, the Collegiati, and the Vico-Magistri. He mentions only fourteen Churches, in seven Wards; whereas at Rome, there was not a Street without some Temple or other, and some had two. I shall make my Annotations upon every Monument of Antiquity, in the same Ward, and in the same Place, that I find it.

The House of Placidia Augusta.] This Lady was the Daughter of Theodosius the Great, and Sister of Arcadius and Honorius. When New Rome was taken by Alaric, King of the Goths and Vandals, he carried her away into Captivity, who afterward married his Kinsman and Successor Athaulfus. Upon his Death, she was restored to her Countrey, and being married again to Constantius, she had by him two Sons, Valentinian and Honoriades; as Eutropius, Zonaras, Cedrinus, and other Historians tell us.

The House of the most illustrious Marina.] Marina was the Daughter of Arcadius, who being honoured with the Title of the Most Illustrious, as Cedrinus writes, continued a Virgin. The Title of the Most Illustrious, is discovered by an antient Inscription to have been first given to Valerianus the Younger, about the Year of our Lord 260. Afterwards it was given to Severinus, and Maximinus Cæsar, and at Length it was ascribed to Ladies of the highest Birth. This sometimes entitled them to a Share in the Government; for whosoever was dignified with this Character, was allowed to wear a Purple Habit, laced round with Gold, and took Place of the Præfecti, (the Mayors or Chief Magistrates of the City) as Zosimus observes, who will have it, that this Honour was first instituted by Constantine; tho’ ’tis very evident, that this Dignity was conferred long before his Time.

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.