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The Antiquities of Constantinople

by Pierre Gilles

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An Explanatory Index

A.

Abacus from ἄβαξ, which signifies a square Trencher. It is the four square Table, that makes the Capital on the Top of a Column, p. 148

Acropolis, is that Point of Land where Old Byzantium stood, 157

Ægyptians, how they adorn their Pillars, 175

Alphabets, Assyrian and Greek, 77

Annulets, are little square Parts turn’d round in the Corinthian Capitals, 264

Antiquity, a famous Piece of it, 154

Apophyge, it comes from the Greek Word ἀποφυγὴ, and signifies that Part of a Column, where it seems to fly out of its Base, 253

Aqueduct of Valens, 197

Of Valentinian, 212

Other Aqueducts, 213

Architrave, this Word is a Compound of two Languages, ἀρχὴ and Trabs, and denotes the first Member of the Entablature, 113

Arius, his miserable Death, 177

Armation, a Place of Arms, 28

Astragal, is deriv’d from the Greek Word Ἀστράγαλος, and signifies the little Joynts in the Neck. It is a Member of Architecture joyn’d to Bases, Cornices, and Architraves, 242

Avasarius, a Street in Constantinople, 238

B.

Bagnio’s, of Achilles, 20

Of Arcadius, 79

Of Anastasia, 208

Of Bajazet, 193

Of Carosia, 198

Of Constantius, 210

Of Honorius, and Eudocia, 169

Of Zeuxippus, 97

Base. This signifies the Foot of a Pillar, which supports it; as also that Part, upon which the Shaft of the Pillar bears, 109

Basilica, is derived from Βασιλεὺς, a King, and was a large Building, made at first for Kings and Princes; afterwards they were turn’d into Courts of Justice, and sometimes into Churches. In Constantinople it contain’d the Imperial Library, consisting of six hundred Thousand Volumes; was also a Seat of Learning, and a Place of Traffick, 145

Bezestan, in the Ottoman Language, is their Grand Exchange, 48

Blachernæ, a Part of the Suburbs, 63

Brazen-Bull, 228

Byzantium, founded by Byzas, 13

The Megarians its first Inhabitants, 14

Rebuilt by the Lacedæmonians, 15

Afterwards call’d Antonina, ibid.

After that New Rome, Constantinople, and Anthusa, or Florentia by Constantine, ibid.

Its Revolutions, ibid.

Its Walls, Towers, Gates, Ports, 17

Taken by the Romans, 19

Its Antient Situation and Extent, 20

The greatest City in all Thrace, 21

Rebuilt by Constantine, 23

Its seven Towers, 71

Its Old Castle where built, 76

C.

Capital, the Top of a Pillar, 113

Capitol; This was a large Temple, where they celebrated their Festivals and Triumphs, and to which they repair’d upon publick Occasions, 203

Capochee’s, the drudging Porters among the Turks, 38

Chalca, a Description of it, 134

Chalcopratia, the Places where they worked their Brass, 148

Caravansera, a Place built like an Inn for the Reception of Strangers and Travellers, 52

Ceras, or Cheras, a Bay which divides Galata from the City, and is so called, because it winds round like a Horn, 20

Chrysostom St., banish’d, 102

Church of St. Anthony, Blessed Virgin, St. John Baptist, 28

Of Anastasia and Hirena, 192

Of St. Agathonicus, 80

Of the Apostles, 221

Of the Blachernæ, 63

Of Bacchus, and Sergius, 117

Of St. Euphemia, 124

Of St. Irene, 101

Of St. Marcian, 114

Of St. Mina, of Mocius and St. Anne, 260

Of St. Peter and St. Paul, 117

Of St. Paul, 204

Of St. Polyclete, 124

Of Procopius, of the Martyr Theca, 121

Of St. Theodore, 202

And of St. Thomas, 120

Church, without the Walls of the City. This Church was called Χριστὸς χώρας, that is, a Church sacred to Christ, in a Monastery call’d Chora; because when first built it stood in the Suburbs, 242

See Cantacuzenus.

Church of St. Sophia, situate in the Imperial Precinct, 81

By whom built, 82

By what Architects, 84

Its Length, Breadth, and Height, 86

Incrusted with elegant Marble of all Kinds, 87

Its Roof, Pillars, and Arches, ibid.

The whole Architecture of it describ’d from Page 87, to 95

Circus Maximus, a Place of a large oblong Figure, built for the Exercise of Martial Sports, with Seats for the Spectators, 103

Cistern, of Bonus, 28

Of Mocisia, 66

Imperial Cistern, whose Roof is supported with 336 Marble Pillars, discovered by the Author, 147

More Cisterns, 162

Cistern of Theodosius, 169

Of Arcadius and Modestus, 124

Of Justinian, 260

Of St. Benedict, 275

Cochlia, This was a Gate of the City, and so call’d, as I conceive, because it had winding Stairs within it, 116

Colossus, Its Description and Size, 108, 109

Columna Virginea, 58

Constantine. An Account of his fine Buildings, 23, 24

A Prince of Remarkable Clemency and Goodness, 28

His Military Standard, 183

The Story of his seeing the Cross in the Heavens vindicated, 84

His Coffin, 222

Constantinople, its delightful Situation, 1

Its Strength, 2

Its Commodities, 3

Conveniencies of its Port, 5

Is the Key of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, 6

Its choice Wines, 7

Its Timber, 8

Its Fish, 9

Temperature of its Climate, ibid.

The Disposition of its Inhabitants, 10

The Fortress of all Europe, 11

Its Magnificence and vast Extent, 24, 25

Its Figure, 29

Its Compass and Length, 30

Its Breadth, 31

Strength, and Stateliness of its Walls, 67

By whom built and repair’d, 68

Its several Gates, 70

The long Walls of it by whom built, 72

Divided into 14 Wards, 73

Cornice; this signifies the third, and highest Part of the Entablature, 113

Cyclobion; this was a round Castle in the City, and some time a Palace, 239

Cyclobion; this was a round Castle in the City, and some time a Palace, 239

Cynegion; this was the same Kind of Building with the Theatrum Venatorium in antient Rome, 244

D.

Delphic Tripos, 111

Dentils, is a Member of the Ionic Cornice, Square, and cut out at proper Distances, which gives it the Form of a Set of Teeth, 242

Diceraton; a Tax laid upon the People for Repairing the Walls of the City, 68

Digit; this is a Measure somewhat short of an Inch, 104

Divan, it signifies the Forum Judiciale of the Turks, 38

E.

Emerald, of a large Size, 160

Entablature; this Word denotes the three Members of Architecture, viz. the Architrave, Frieze, and Cornice, 113

Exacionion; this was a Place, thro’ which there ran the Land-Wall of the City, 218

Exammon of Heraclius, or Ἐξάμον. This is a Word which is Greeciz’d from the Latin Examen, and signifies a Standard Measure appointed by that Emperour, 141

F.

Factions. These were Company of Chariot-racers. There were four Companies of them at Old Rome. At Constantinople, (as far as I have observ’d, or at least not mention’d by Gyllius) but only One, which was called the Prasine Faction, because they wore a Green Livery. The Word Prasine is deriv’d from Πράσον, a Leek, 116, 117

Fasciae. These are three Bands in Architecture, of which the Architrave is compos’d, 242

Frieze. The round Part of the Entablature, which is between the Architrave, and the Cornice, 253

Forum of Arcadius, 257

Of Augustus, 83

Of Constantine, 171

Cupedinis, 153

Of Honorius, 275

Forum Pistorium, 195

Forum Prætorianum, or the Court of Publick Justice, 170

Forum in the Taurus, and the Forum of Theodosius, 169

G.

Galata, now called Sycæ and Pera, its Situation, 264

Galata, now called Sycæ and Pera, its Situation, 264

Gates, of Constantinople, 70

Grand-Hetaeriarch, Commander of the prime Auxiliary Band; for there were two such Bands under the Greek Emperors, the One called the ἡ μεγάλη, the other ἡ μικρὰ ἑταιρεία i. e. the Greater and Lesser Band of Auxiliaries. The Commander of the former was ὁ μεγάλης ἑταιρείας Ἄρχων, or sometimes in one Word Μεγαλεταιρειάρχης, 230

See Codinus.

Gymnasia, Places where they exercis’d themselves in Martial Sports, 158

H.

Hippocum, 290. This I take to be the same with the Hyppodrom.

Hippodrom, the Place where they perform’d their Races of all Kinds, 103

Homer, his Iliads and Odysses inscrib’d, in Golden Characters, on the Gut of a Dragon, 144

Hospital of Sampson, and Eubulus, 100

Hypotrachelion, this is the most slender Part, or Neck of the Pillar, which touches the Capital, 263

I.

Intercolumniation, the Distance of one Pillar from another, 147

L.

Labarum, this Word signifies a longer piece of Wood, transvers’d near the Top with a short Piece, upon which hangs the military Flag, 184

Lampterum, a place in Constantinople so called, because it was Nightly Illuminated, 192

M.

Magnaura, a place in the Suburbs, 239

Mahomet, took the City, 195

Mangana, a Place of Arms; also a Monastery of that Name, 96

Medal, of Belisarius, 116

Miliarium Aureum, this was a gilded Pillar, from whence they us’d to adjust the Distances of Places from the City, 152

Modius, this generally signifies a Bushel according to English Measure; but I am sensible, I had translated it more properly, had I made it to signify no more than a Peck wanting half a Pint; which is the Grecian Modius, 107

Modules, these are certain Measures invented to regulate the whole Building, 113

Monastery, of Studius, 259

Monastery, of Studius, 259

Morion, a place so call’d, which ran round the Hippodrom, 123

Mosaic Work, A curious Piece of it, 87

O.

Obelisk, built of Thebaic Marble, 103

Two more Obelisks, 104

Ovolo, or Egg, is that Member of Architecture, which is first plac’d on the Top of Ionic Capitals, 113

P.

Paces, by this, the Author means the Ordinary Steps a Man takes in Walking, which cannot be exactly reduced to the Roman Pace, because they vary according to the different Ascents and Descents of the Ground he walks, 65

Palace of Constantine, 134

of the Grand Seignor, 37

of Justinus, 120

Other Palaces built by him, 121

Palace of Maximinus, 81

Palaces of Sophia, 121

Palladium of Minerva, 117

Describ’d, 179

How Figur’d, 180

Pedestal; this is that Member of Architecture, that supports a Column, having a Base and Cornice different, according to the Difference of the several Orders of Building, 113

Phanarium, a Street in Constantinople, 236

Pharo, a Watch-Tower; set up as a Guide to Ships at a Distance, 96

Philoxenon; this Word, by its Derivation from the Greek, signifies a publick Place of Entertainment for Travellers, and Strangers. The Turks at present call these Places Caravansera’s, 161

Pillar of Arcadius; this is the same Pillar, which is called the Historical Pillar; and which is Represented among the Cuts which I have added to this Book: It is therefore called the Historical Pillar; because it Represents the Actions and Triumphs of that Emperor. It is a plain Marble Column, 147 Foot in Height; work’d in Basso Relievo, 250

See Tournefort.

Pillar of Marcian; this Pillar is only mention’d by my Author; but since his Time has been discover’d in a private Garden at Constantinople, by Sir G. Wheler. The Pillar is made of Granate, and is thought to have been the Urn, where that Emperor’s Heart was buried, 256

See the same Author.

Pillars; Of Constantine, 156

Corinthian, very large, 137

Pillars in the Hippodrom, 110, 111, 112

Of Justinian, 129

Porphyry Pillar, 172

See also the Cuts.

Pillars in the Senate-House, 131

Of Sophia, 120

Of Theodosius, 129

Of Valentinian, 256

Plinth; in Architecture it is taken for that square Member, which makes the Foundation of the Base of the Pillar, 113

Portico’s; these were Buildings of curious work, added to publick Structures whether Sacred or Civil.

Portico, Of the Church of the Apostles, 221

Imperial Portico, where sealed, 150

Other Portico’s, full of Statues, 151

Portico, called Sigma, 221

Prytaneum; this was a stately Building, where those who had deserv’d well of the Government, were handsomely maintain’d at the publick Charge. There was such a Structure at Athens, for the same purpose, 169

Pyramidical Engine; its Use and Contrivance, 197

S.

Scotia; this is a Member of Architecture hollow’d, or fluted as a Demi-Channel. It is particularly us’d in the Bases, where it is plac’d between the Tore, and the Astragals, 113

Senate-House; built by Constantine, 132

How adorn’d, 182

Seraglio, or the Imperial Palace; a Description of it, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41

Where situate, 51

Its Extent, 52

Shaft of a Pillar is the Body of it, 111

Stadia; these were Places, in the Form of Circo’s, for running of Men and Horses, 136

Statues; Of Apollo, 176

Of Arcadia, and Verina, 79

Of Arcadius and Honorius, 197

Of Ariadne, 139

Of Arius and others, 154

Of Byzas and Phidalia, 141

Of Constantine the Great, 170

A Silver Statue of Eudoxia Augusta, 101

Two Female Statues, 186

Of the Fortune of the City, 154

A gilded Statue, and that of Justinian, 141

Of Helena and others, 138

Of Hercules, 142

Statues in the Hippodrom, 108, 109, 110, 111

Statue of old Homer very fine, 78

Of Justinian, 127

Statues in the Lausus, 159

Of Leo the Emperour, 123

Of Longinus, 187

Of the Muses, 139

Of Princes, Poets, Historians, and Orators, 99

Of Pulcheria, 139

Of Rhea, 131

Of Theodora, 79

Of Theodosius, 125, 129

Of Trajan, Theodosius, Valentinian, Gibbus, Firmillianus, and Eutropius, 142

Of Zeno, Statues in the Bagnio’s of Zeuxippus, 98

Statues (mention’d in the Appendix) demolish’d by the Romans. Anemodes, a Woman plac’d on a Pyramid, and turning with the Wind, 287

Animals; two large ones represented in Brass, 293

Animals; two less, 294

An Ass and his Driver, 289

Charioteers; a Range of them, 293

An Eagle in Brass, entwin’d by a Serpent, 290

An Elephant, 289

An Equestrian Statue of a Man, 293

An Equestrian Statue in the Taurus, 287

A Helen very fine, 291

An Hesperian Hercules, 288

A Horse wild, 289

A Hyæna, and a Wolf, ibid.

A Juno in Brass, 288

A Man fighting with a Lyon, 289

Neilôus, a Horse, ib.

Old Scylla, ibid.

Sphinx’s, ibid.

a Woman, a more modern Statue, 293

Strategium, a kind of a Parade, or Place where the Generals usually pitched their Tents, and exercis’d their Men, 23

Syparum; the Flag of a Military Standard, 184

T.

Taurus; a Street in Constantinople, 193

Temples;

Of Amphiaraus, 274

Of Apollo, 120

Of Bacchus, 77

Of Ceres, 166

Of Concord, 120

Of Diana Lucifera, 274

Of Ja, 259

Of Juno, 190

Of Jupiter, 97

Of Neptune, 76

Of Pluto, 190

Of Proserpina, 166

Of the Sun and Moon, 208

Of Tellus, 166

Of Venus Placida, 274

Tetrapylum; a Description of it, 196

Thebaic Obelisk, where fix’d, 103

Its Length, with a Description of it, 104, 105

Manner of Raising it, (See the Cuts) 106

Thermation; a Place of Bathing, 255

Tomb of Bajazet, 194

describ’d, 200

Tomb of Constantine, 221

Of Mahomet, 55

Of Mahomet, Solyman’s Son, 202

Of Mauritius, 248

Of Selymus, 59

Tore; this is the third Member of Architecture in the Base of the Column, which turns round it like a Ring, 113

Trabeation, 113

See Entablature.

Triclinium; this was a place of Publick Entertainment, and was many Times a very sumptuous Building most beautifully adorn’d, 162

The great Triclinium built by Anastasius, 246

The Triclinium of Magnaura, 239

Tripos of Apollo; this Tripos was set upon a brazen Pillar made of three Serpents entwin’d, which was about fifteen Foot high, according to Tournefort. See the Cut of the Serpentine Pillar, 112

Turks; their Way of building Pillars, 188

V.

Vestibule, or Vestibulum; a House of Entrance into a Church, or any great Building, 133

Volutæ. The Word signifies wreath’d, and is that Part of the Capitals, of the Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite Orders, which is suppos’d to represent the Bark of Trees twisted, 119

W.

Walls of Constantinople, 72

Walks Imperial, 142

X.

Xerolophon; this Word signifies a dry Unction, and the Place was call’d so, because whoever was anointed there never us’d to bath, 259

FINIS

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