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.