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.