Kitabı oku: «The Antiquities of Constantinople», sayfa 9

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.