constantinople by william holden hutton

7/30/2019 Constantinople by William Holden Hutton

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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofConstantinople,byWilliamHoldenHutton

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org

Title:ConstantinopleTheStoryoftheOldCapitaloftheEmpire

Author:WilliamHoldenHutton

Illustrator:SydneyCooper

ReleaseDate:November17,2012[EBook#41391]

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:UTF-8

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKCONSTANTINOPLE***

ProducedbyMelissaMcDanielandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net(ThisfilewasproducedfromimagesgenerouslymadeavailablebyTheInternetArchive)

Transcriber'sNote:

Inconsistenthyphenation,spellinganduseofdiacriticsintheoriginaldocumenthavebeenpreserved.Obvioustypographicalerrorshavebeencorrected.

Italictextisdenotedby_underscores_.

ThistextusesUTF-8(unicode)fileencoding.Ifthecharactersinthenextparagraphappearasgarbage,youmayhaveanincompatiblebrowserorunavailablefonts.First,makesurethatyourbrowserscharactersetorfileencodingissettoUnicode(UTF-8).Youmayalsoneedtochangethedefaultfont.

Onpage38,"TheodoreofTyrone"shouldpossiblybe"TheodoreofTyron".

Onpage97,""shouldpossiblybe"".

Onpage215,"payingvengeanceonhishead"shouldpossiblybe"prayingvengeanceonhishead".

Onpage256,thecaptionhasbeenchangedtoagreewiththetext.


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Onpage284,""shouldpossiblybe"".

Onpage312,"GlKknehKiosk"maybeatypo.

_TheStoryofConstantinople_

_Allrightsreserved_

[Illustration:InteriorofS.Sophia.ShowingtheSultan'spewandthestairstothepulpit.]

Constantinople

_TheStoryoftheoldCapital

oftheEmpirebyWilliamHoldenHutton,FellowofS.JohnBaptistCollege,Oxford.IllustratedbySydneyCooper_

_London:J.M.Dent&Co.AldineHouse,29and30BedfordStreetCoventGarden,W.C.1900_

ThissuperbsuccessorOftheearth'smistress,asthouvainlyspeakest,Stands'midsttheseagesas,onthewideocean,Thelastsparedfragmentofaspaciousland,ThatinsomegrandandawfulministrationOfmightynaturehasengulfedbeen,DothliftaloftitsdarkandrockycliffsO'erthewildwastearound,andsadlyfrownsInlonelymajesty.

*****

IwasthedaughterofImperialRome,

CrownedbyherEmpressofthemysticeast:MostHolyWisdomchosemeforherhomeSealedmeTruth'sregent,andHighBeauty'spriest.Lo!whenfatestruckwithhideousflameandsword,Faro'erthenewworld'slifemygracewaspoured.

PREFACE


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AwordofintroductionisnecessarytoexplainthenatureofthissketchofthehistoryofConstantinople.Itistheholiday-task,verypleasanttohim,ofaCollegedon,towhomthereisnocityintheworldsoimpressiveandsofascinatingastheancienthomeoftheCsarsoftheEast.

ItisnotintendedtosupersedetheindispensableMurray.Foracitysogreat,inwhichthereissomuchtosee,aguide-bookfullofpracticaldetailsisabsolutelynecessary.ForthisIcanreferthereader,withentireconfidence,toMurray's_Hand-book_--andtonothingelse.ButIthinkeveryonewhovisitsConstantinoplefeelstheneedofsomesketchofitslongandwonderfulhistory.IhavemyselfoftenfelttheneedasIwanderedaboutthecity,orspentalongevening,duringthecoldspring,inthehotel.Ihaveendeavoured,asbestIcould,tosupplywhatIhavemyselfwanted.Idonotpretendtohavewrittenahistoryofthecity"fromtheearliesttimestothepresentday"fromthemassoforiginalauthoritiesofwhichIknowsomething.Ihaveusedtheworksofthebestmodernwritersfreely,andIshouldlikehere,onceforall,toexpressmyobligations.ImayventuretosaythatthelistofbooksIhereinsertwillbefoundusefulbyanyonewhowishestogofurtherintothehistorythanmylittlebookisabletotakehim.Theordinarystandardbooksare

ProfessorBury'seditionofGibbon;MrTozer'seditionofFinlay's_HistoryofGreece_;ProfessorBury's_HistoryoftheLaterEmpire_;VonHammer's_HistoryoftheTurks_;andtheVicomtedelaJonquire'ssketchofthesamesubject.

Theauthorities,indetail,forthehistoryandtopographyofthecityareadmirablysummedupinHerrEugenOberhummer'scontributiontothePauly-Wissowas_RealencyclopdiederclassischenAltertumswissenschaft_,bandiv.,whichcanbepurchasedseparatelyasa"Sonder-Abdruck."AmongthebookswhichIhavefoundespeciallyusefulImustmentionfirstProfessorvanMillingen's_ByzantineConstantinople,TheWalls,etc._;the_BrokenBitsofByzantium_,byMrsWalkerandthelateRev.C.G.Curtis,towhosekindnessIoweverymuch,abook

whichisnowveryrarelytobemetwith,andoughtcertainlytoberepublished;Bayet,_L'ArtByzantin_;Kraus,_GeschichtederChristlichenKunst_;LethabyandSwainson,_S.Sophia_;Grosvenor,_Constantinople_;Paspates,_TheGreatPalaceofConstantinople_.AmonghistoriesofparticularperiodstherearenonemoreusefulthanPears'_ConquestofConstantinople_,andMijatovich,_ConstantinethelastEmperoroftheGreeks_.AmongamassofinterestingandimportantarticlesIshouldliketonotethaton_LesDbutsduMonachismeConstantinople_,byM.Pargoireinthe_Revuedesquestionshistoriques_,Jan.1899.

ThetextsoftheoriginalauthoritiesmaybereadintheBonnedition,andsomeofthem,happily,inProfessorBury'sadmirablecollectionof

Byzantinetexts,ofwhichIhavefoundthethreevolumesalreadypublishedmostuseful.IhavereferredinChapterVII.totheworkofGyllius,towhomweowemuchofourknowledgeofthemedivalcity.

Ihavereferredtoagreatnumberofbooksoftravel,asmaybeseen;itisimpossibleheretoparticularisethemall.

ThelimitsoftheserieshavecompelledmetoconfinemyselfchieflytothestoryofConstantinopleasamedivaltown.ThusIhavebeenreluctantlycompelledtoleaveoutmuchthatIshouldhavelikedto


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sayaboutSkutari,theBosphorusanditspalaces,andthepresentsociallifeandreligiousobservances,theDervishes,the"SweetWaters,"andmanyfamiliarnames.

Forthesamereason,Ihavedweltverybrieflyonmuchthatisofgreatinterest.Iwouldgladly,forinstance,havesaidmoreaboutIconoclasm,andsomethingaboutthatgreattheologian,S.TheodoreoftheStudium.

Practically,ImayaddthattheadviceofMurray'sGuideisalwaystobetaken;personallyIhavealwaysfoundtheHotelBristolmostcomfortableineveryway,andIhavenooccasiontocommendanyotherhotel,becauseIhaveneverfelttemptedtoleaveit.Ithashadvariedfortunes,butitisatitsbest,Ithink,asmanagedbyHerrH.Gllering.Ihavemyselffoundadragoman,exceptforthefirstday,unnecessary;butIcanstronglyrecommendEustathiosLivathinosasamostpleasantcompanion.JacobMoseshasalsomuchexperience.

IshouldaddthatinmyspellingofnamesIhaveusuallyadopted,forsimplicity,thecommonuse;butIfearIhavenotevenbeenuniform.

IoweverymuchtothekindofficesofLordCurrieandofSirNicholasO'Connor,HerMajesty'sAmbassadorsin1896and1899,andtoseveralmembersoftheEmbassy,withaveryspecialdebtofgratitudetoMr

Fitzmaurice,C.M.G.IcanneverforgetthekindnessofthelateCanonC.G.Curtis,whosedeathin1896wassogreatalosstotheBritishcommunityinConstantinople,toarchology,andtoreligion.

Inseveralinstancesphotographstakenbymyfriend,MrJ.W.Milligan,whowasinConstantinoplein1896,havebeenofnotalittleusetomyfriend,theRev.SydneyCooper,towhoseillustrationsthisbookwilloweverymuchmorethanhalfitsinterest.

W.H.HUTTON.

THEGREATHOUSE,BURFORD,OXON,_S.Mark'sDay,1900_.

CONTENTS

PAGE

CHAPTERI

_TheHistoryoftheCityinancientandmedivaltimes_1

CHAPTERII

_ConstantinopleundertheTurks_154

CHAPTERIII

_TheChurches_231

CHAPTERIV


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_TheWalls_270

CHAPTERV

_TheMosques,TrbehsandFountains_290

CHAPTERVI

_ThePalaces_310

CHAPTERVII

_Antiquities_320

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

_InteriorofS.Sophia__Frontispiece_

_SeraglioPointafterSunset_2

_Therapia_4

_TheHippodromeandMosqueofAhmed_9

_YeriBatanSerai(Cistern)_28

_TheImperialQuarter(Plan)_31

_TheBurntColumn_35

_S.SophiaandtheMinistryofJusticefromtheSea_37

_TheGoldenGate_42

_TheGoldenHornfromEyb_53

_TheAqueductofValens_67

_RoumeliHissar_139

_IntheCemeteryatScutari_154

_TheGoldenHornfromPera,afterSunset_173

_FountainintheCourtofMosqueofValideh_186

_InteriorofMosqueofAhmedI._191

_HousesinthePhanar_207

_StreetinGalata_223

_CapitalsfromS.Sophia_232


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_CourtyardoftheChurchoftheStudium_234

_PlanofSS.SergiusandBacchus_237

_PlanofS.Sophia_245

_IntheGalleryofS.Sophia_253

_OrnamentontheBrazenLintelabovethePrincipalDoorofS.Sophia_257

_BronzeDoorofSouthernEntrancetotheNarthex,S.Sophia_258

_AncientUrninS.Sophia_260

_ChurchofthePantokrator_267

_PartoftheWallsofTheodosius:theSevenTowersintheBackground_270

_Kadikeui(Chalcedon)fromSeraglioPoint_272

_TheMarbleToweratS.W.CorneroftheWalls_277_WallsneartheGoldenGate:RomanRoadinForeground_281

_Mohammed,theApostleofGod.EmbroideryfromCurtainovertheDoorofS.Sophia_290

_MosqueofMohammedII.fromEnglishEmbassy_291

_MosqueofSuleimanfromtheGoldenHorn_293

_CourtoftheMosqueofAhmedI._299

_AnEntrancetotheMosqueofAhmed_301

_MuralTilesfromtheMosqueofValideh_305

_InaTrbeh_306

_EntrancetotheTrbehofSelimII.atS.Sophia_307

_EmbroideryfromCurtainoverEntrancetoS.Sophia_309

_TowerofGalatafromBridge_311

_ApproachtotheOldSeraglio_313

_ACorneroftheOldSeraglio_315

_ScutariPointandLeander'sIsle_319

_S.SophiafromtheHippodrome.ObeliskintheForeground_321

_Bas-RelieffromBaseoftheObeliskinthe


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Hippodrome,showingtheImperialBoxduringthePerformanceofaBallet_324

_ThePalaceofthePorphyrogenitus_331

_SarcophagusfromtheRoyalMausoleumatSidon.TheCarvingiscopiedfromtheFriezeoftheParthenon_336

_SketchPlanoftheCity__facinglastpage_

TABLEOFEMPERORS

ConstantineI.,theGreat306-337ConstantiusII.337-361Julian361-363Jovian363-364Valens364-378TheodosiusI.,theGreat378-395Arcadius395-408

TheodosiusII.408-450Marcian450-457LeoI.457-474Zeno474-491AnastasiusI.491-518JustinI.518-527JustinianI.,theGreat527-565JustinII.565-578TiberiusII.578-582Maurice582-602Phocas602-610Heraclius610-641HeracliusConstantinusandHeracleonas641-642

ConstansII.642-668ConstantineIV.668-685JustinianII.685-695Leontius695-697TiberiusIII.Apsimarus697-705JustinianII.(restored)705-711Philippicus711-713AnastasiusII.713-715TheodosiusIII.715-717LeoIII.,theIsaurian717-740ConstantineV.Copronymus740-775LeoIV.775-779ConstantineVI.779-797

Irene797-802NicephorusI.802-811Stauricius811MichaelI.Rhangabe811-813LeoV.,theArmenian813-820MichaelII.,theAmorian820-829Theophilus829-842MichaelIII.842-867BasilI.,theMacedonian867-886LeoVI.,theWise886-912


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ConstantineVII.Porphyrogenitus912-958Co-Emperors--Alexander912-913RomanusI.Lecapenus919-945ConstantineVIII.andStephanus,sonsofRomanusI.,reignedfiveweeks944RomanusII.958-963BasilII.Bulgaroktonos963-1025Co-Emperors--NicephorusII.Phocas963-969JohnI.Tzimisces969-976ConstantineIX.976-1025ConstantineIX.1025-1028RomanusIII.Argyrus1028-1034MichaelIV.,thePaphlagonian1034-1042MichaelV.1042ZoeandTheodora1042ConstantineX.Monomachus1042-1054Theodora(restored)1054-1056MichaelVI.Stratioticus1056-1057IsaacI.Comnenus1057-1059ConstantineXI.Ducas1059-1067MichaelVII.Ducas1067-1078Co-Emperor--

RomanusIV.Diogenes1067-1078NicephorusIII.Botoniates1078-1081AlexiusI.Comnenus1081-1118JohnII.Comnenus1118-1143ManuelI.Comnenus1143-1180AlexiusII.Comnenus1180-1183AndronicusI.Comnenus1183-1185IsaacII.Angelus1185-1195AlexiusIII.Angelus1195-1203IsaacII.(restored)}AlexiusIV.Angelus}1203-1204AlexiusV.Ducas,Murtzuphlus1204

_LatinEmperors_

BaldwinI.1204-1205Henry1205-1216Peter1217-1219Robert1219-1228JohnofBrienne1228-1237BaldwinII.1237-1261

_NicanEmperors_

TheodoreI.Lascaris1204-1222JohnIII.Ducas1222-1254TheodoreII.Ducas1254-1259JohnIV.Ducas1259-1260

_EmpireRestored_

MichaelVIII.Palologus1260-1282AndronicusII.Palologus1282-1328


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Co-Emperor--MichaelIX.1295-1320AndronicusIII.Palologus1328-1341JohnVI.Palologus1341-1391Co-Emperors--JohnV.Cantacuzene1342-1355AndronicusIV.Palologus(usurpedthrone)1376-1379ManuelII.Palologus1391-1425JohnVII.Palologus1425-1448ConstantineXII.Palologus1448-1453

_TurkishSultans_

MohammedII.,"TheConqueror"1451-1481BayezidII.,"TheMystic"1481-1512SelimI.,"TheGreat"1512-1520SuleimanI.,"TheMagnificent"1520-1566SelimII.,"TheSot"1566-1574MuradIII.1574-1595MohammedIII.1595-1603AhmedI.1603-1617MustafaI.}1617-(1618)

OsmanII.}1623MuradIV.1623-1640Ibrahim1640-1649MohammedIV.1649-1687SuleimanII.1687-1691AhmedII.1691-1695MustafaII.1695-1703AhmedIII.1703-1730MahmdI.1730-1754OsmanIII.1754-1757MustafaIII.1757-1774AbdulHamidI.1774-1789SelimIII.1789-1807

MustafaIV.1807-1808MahmdII.,"TheReformer"1808-1839AbdulMejid1839-1861AbdulAziz1861-1876MuradV.1876AbdulHamidII.1876

Constantinople

CHAPTERI

_TheHistoryoftheCityinancientandmedivaltimes_

1.BYZANTIUMBEFORECONSTANTINE.

ItisimpossibletoapproachConstantinoplewithoutseeingthebeauty


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andthewonderofitssite.WhetheryoupassrapidlydowntheBosphorus,betweenbankscrownedwithtowersandhousesandmosques,thatstretchawayhitherandthithertodistanthills,nowbleak,nowcrownedwithdarkcypressgroves;orupfromtheSeaofMarmora,watchingthedomeofS.Sophiathatglittersabovethecloselypackedhouses,tillyouturnthepointwhichbringsyoutotheGoldenHorn,crowdedwithshippingandbrightwiththeflagsofmanynations;orevenifyoucomeoverlandbythesandywastesalongtheshore,lookingacrossthedeepblueoftheseatotheislandsandthesnow-crownedmountainsofAsia,tillyoubreakthroughthecrumblingwallwithinsightoftheGoldenGate,andfindyourselfatastepdeepintherelicsofthemiddleages;youcannotfailtowonderatthesplendouroftheviewwhichmeetsyoureyes.Sea,sunlight,thequainthousesthatstandcloseuponthewater'sedge,thewhitepalaces,thecrowdedquays,andthecrowninggloryoftheEasterndomesandthemedivalwalls--thesearetheelementsthatcombinetoimpress,andtheimpressionisneverlost.Oftenasyoumayseeagaintheapproachtotheimperialcity,itssplendouranddignityandtheexquisitebeautyofcolourandlightwillexerttheiroldcharm,andasyouputfootintheNewRomeyouwillfeelalltheglamourofthedaysthataregoneby.

[Illustration:SERAGLIOPOINTAFTERSUNSET]

SoofoldtheGreekswhofoundedthecitydweltlovinglyonthecontrastofseaandlandheremeeting,andhymnedthenymphsofwaveandspring,thegardenbytheshore.

"Whereoceanbathesearth'sfootstoolthesesea-bowersBedeckitssolidwavelets:wisewasheWhoblendedshorewithdeep,withseaweedflowers,AndNaiads'rivuletswithNereids'sea."

Strictlyspeakingthepeninsulaonwhichthecitystandsisoftheformofatrapezium.Itjutsoutintothesea,beatingbackasitwerethefiercewavesoftheBosphorus,andforcingthemtoturnasidefromtheirstraightcourseandwidenintotheSeaofMarmora,which

theancientscalledthePropontis,narrowingagainasitforcesitswaybetweenthenearbanksoftheHellespont,whichriseabruptandaridfromtheEuropeanside,andslopegentlyawayinAsiatothefootofMountIda.NorthwardsthereisthelittlebayoftheGoldenHorn,anarmasitwereoftheBosphorus,intowhichrunthestreamswhichtheTurkscalltheSweetWatersofEurope.Themouthoftheharbourisnomorethanfivehundredyardsacross.TheGreeksoftheEmpirespanneditbyachain,supportedhereandthereonwoodenpiles,fragmentsofwhichstillremainintheArmourythatwasoncethechurchofS.Irene.Withinissafeanchorageinoneofthefinestharboursoftheworld.

SouthoftheGoldenHorn,onthenarrowtongueofland--narrowit

seemsasseenfromthehillsofthenorthernshore--isthecityofConstantineandhissuccessorsinempire,seated,liketheoldRome,onsevenhills,andsurroundedonthreesidesbysea,onthefourthbythestillsplendid,thoughshattered,medivalwalls.Northwardsarethetwotowns,nowlinkedtogether,ofPeraandGalata,thatlookbackonlytothetradingsettlementsoftheMiddleAges.

Thesinglespotunited,asGibbonputsit,theprospectsofbeauty,ofsafety,andofwealth:andinamasterlydescriptionthatgreathistorianhascollectedthefeatureswhichmadetheposition,"formed


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byNatureforthecentreandcapitalofagreatmonarchy,"attractivetothefirstcolonists,andevidenttoConstantineasthecentrewherehecouldbestcombineandcommandthepoweroftheEasternhalfofhismightyEmpire.

[Illustration:THERAPIA]

"Situatedintheforty-firstdegreeoflatitude,theimperialcitycommanded,fromhersevenhills,theoppositeshoresofEuropeandAsia;theclimatewashealthyandtemperate,thesoilfertile,theharboursecureandcapacious,andtheapproachonthesideofthecontinentwasofsmallextentandeasydefence.TheBosphorusandHellespontmaybeconsideredasthetwogatesofConstantinople,andtheprincewhopossessedthoseimportantpassagescouldalwaysshutthemagainstanavalenemyandopenthemtothefleetsofcommerce.Thepreservationoftheeasternprovincesmay,insomedegree,beascribedtothepolicyofConstantine,asthebarbariansoftheEuxine,whointheprecedingagehadpouredtheirarmamentsintotheheartoftheMediterranean,soondesistedfromtheexerciseofpiracy,anddespairedofforcingthisinsurmountablebarrier.WhenthegatesoftheHellespontandBosphoruswereshut,thecapitalstillenjoyed,withintheirspaciousenclosure,everyproductionwhichwouldsupplythewants,orgratifytheluxury,ofitsnumerousinhabitants.Thesea-coastofThraceandBithynia,whichlanguishundertheweightof

theTurkishoppression,stillexhibitsarichprospectofvineyards,ofgardens,andofplentifulharvests;andthePropontishaseverbeenrenownedforaninexhaustiblestoreofthemostexquisitefish,thataretakenintheirstatedseasonswithoutskill,andalmostwithoutlabour.Butwhenthepassagesofthestraitswerethrownopenfortrade,theyalternatelyadmittedthenaturalandartificialrichesofthenorthandsouth,oftheEuxine,andoftheMediterranean.WhateverrudecommoditieswerecollectedintheforestsofGermanyandScythia,asfarasthesourcesoftheTanaisandtheBorysthenes;whatsoeverwasmanufacturedbytheskillofEuropeorAsia;thecornofEgypt,andthegemsandspicesofthefarthestIndia;werebroughtbythevaryingwindsintotheportofConstantinople,whichformanyagesattractedthecommerceoftheancientworld."

ThereisnowonderthatlegendshouldsurroundthebeginningsoftheimperialcityoftheEast.MenfromArgosandMegaraunderthenavigatorByzasfoundeditabout657B.C.ButmythologymadethefounderthesonofNeptunetheseagod,andsaidthatIo,changedintoaheifer,swamacrossthenarrowstraitthatdividesEuropefromAsia,andsogaveitthenameofBosphorus,whichmeansliterallyOxford.TheDelphicoracletoldmentosettle"oppositethelandoftheblind,"forblindwerethosemenofMegarawhosomeyearsbeforehadchosenChalcedonontheAsiaticshoreinsteadofthematchlesssiteonwhichrosethecityofByzantium.

Theearlyhistorycanbebrieflytold.Byzantiumwasthefirstofthe

citiesofEuropetofallintothehandsofDarius.ItwasburnedtothegroundbythePersians,rescuedandrebuiltbyPausanias,wasthreatenedbytheTenThousandontheirretreat,andsavedbytheeloquenceofXenophon.TwoyearsitwasbesiegedbyPhilipofMacedon,andwassavedbytheAthenians.WhenRomefirstshowedherpowerinthoselandsByzantiumwasherally;butherchequeredfortunesendedtheirfirstepochwithdestructionatthehandsofSeptimiusSeverusin196A.D.Shewaitedthenforacenturytillherrealfoundercame.ByzantinecoinsgobackasfarasthefifthcenturyB.C.,andtherewereintheearlyMiddleAgesmanysurvivingmemorialsof


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pre-Christiantimes;ofthesetherearenowleftonlythestrikingCorinthiancolumnstandingonahighgranitebaseinthegardenoftheoldSeraglio,whichalmostcertainlycommemoratesavictoryoftheEmperorClaudiusGothicus,somepartsofthefoundationsoftheHippodrome,aninscriptionintheDoricdialectwhichformerlystoodintheStadium,andthatwonderfulserpentcolumn,whichonlycame,itistrue,tothecityafterConstantinerebuiltit,butwhichwascenturiesbeforeinthetempleofApolloatDelphi.

2.FROMCONSTANTINETOJUSTINIAN.

ThetruehistoryofthecitybeginswithConstantinetheGreat.Itissaidthathehesitatedatfirst,likethemenofMegara,betweenByzantiumandChalcedon,whenhecametochooseaspotfromwhichtoruletheEast.Butwhenhechosearighthefoundedacitywhichhasenduredtothisday,andwhichitisinconceivableshouldeverbedesertedagain.Thesiteonwhichhebuiltisaboutfourmileslong,broadeningfromlessthanamilewhereitfrontstheBosphorustofourmilesfromwheretheMarbleTowernowstandstotheGoldenHorn.Sevenhillsandsixvalleysdiversifytheground.Thesevenhillsasweseethemnowstretchthusfromeasttowest.FirstisthatirregularelevationendingatSeraglioPoint,onwhichstandthebuildingsoftheoldSeraglio,S.Irene,S.Sophia,thegreatmosqueofSultan

Ahmed,andtheHippodrome.Second,andnorth-westofit,isthehillonwhichstandsthecolumnofConstantinehimself,nowburnedandbroken.OnthethirdstandsthegreattowerbytheWarOffice(Seraskierat),themosquesofBayezidandSuleiman.AvalleydescendsnorthwardstotheGoldenHorn;andacrossitrunstheAqueductofValens,andontheothersideisthehillmarkedbythemosqueofMohammedtheConqueror.ThefifthhillstretchesfromthefourthalmosttotheGoldenHorn,andonitstandsthemosqueofSelim.Thesixthhill,dividedfromthefifthbyavalleyascendingfromtheGoldenHorn,hasnowtheruinsofthepalacecalledbythepeople"theHouseofBelisarius,"andtheseventhextendsfromthesouthoftheAdrianopleGatetotheSeaofMarmora.Astheoldfoundation,sothenewplanningofConstantinehasitslegend.Itissaidthathetraced

theboundaryofhiscityhimself,walkingspearinhandandmarkingthelineofthewalls;andwhenhiscourtiersaskedhimhowfarhecouldgoheanswered,asthoughhesawasacredvision,"UntilHetarriesWhonowgoesbefore."HeascribedinhislawsthefoundingtothecommandofGod.

HedidnotcoverthewholegroundoftheSevenHills.Itisdifficulttotracewithcertaintythelineofthewalls,butitwouldseemprobablethattheyextendedfromwhatisnowtheinnerbridgeacrosstheGoldenHorntoapointontheSeaofMarmoraaboutmidwaybetweenthegateofDaoudPashaandthePsamatiaGate.Thiswouldexcludepartofthefifth,sixth,andseventhhills;butitisimprobablethattheywereleftentirelyunprotectedorcompletelyexcludedfromthecityof

Constantine.BythesixthatanyratealreadystoodtheBlachernae,latertobethefamouspalaceoftheByzantineemperors.Sycae,acrosstheGoldenHorn,wasthenameofwhatisnowGalata.ItwasatonetimethequarterwheretheGalatianmercenariesdwelt,andquiteearlyinhistoryithadanotherdivisionnamedPera,or"acrossthewater."TheseawardwallsremainedastheyhadbeeninoldByzantium,andtheywererepaired,andbroughtforwardtothepointwhencethenewlandwallsstarted.OftheremainsofConstantine'stimetherearenonethatarenothalfdestroyedorwhollyaltered,buttheChurchofS.Irenestillrecallsthedaysofitsfirstfounder,andtheserpent


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columnfromDelphistillstandsintheHippodromewhereheplacedit.

ThedivisionsofConstantine'scityarenoteasytorecover.Formunicipalgovernmentithad,likeRome,fourteenregions,twoofwhichwereoutsidethewalls,those(xiii.)ofSycaeand(xiv.)ofBlachernae.FromtheGoldengate,whichwasnotfarfromtheMarmoraendofthelandwalls(thenameIsaKapouMesjidistillrecallstheHolyNameofJesuswhichitbore),aroadledtotheAugusteum.TheForumofConstantinestoodoutsidewheretheoldByzantinewallshadbeen,andwestoftheHippodrome.TheHippodromeextendedsouth-westfromtheForumoftheAugusteum.North-eastatsomedistancestoodtheChurchofS.Irene.TheAugusteumwhich,asMrBurysays,wemaytranslate_placeimpriale_,hadtheChurchofS.Sophia,begunprobablybyConstantius,onthenorth;ontheeasttheSenatehouse,andsomebuildingsofthePalace;onthesouththegreatPalaceitself,builteastwardsoftheHippodromeandcommandingthemagnificentviewovertheMarmoraislandstotheshoresofAsiaandthesnowsofOlympus.

[Illustration:THEHIPPODROMEANDMOSQUEOFAHMED]

OfthesplendourofthecityofConstantinemanyhintsofdescriptionremain.Constantinoplewasenriched,saysonewriter,bythespoilsofallothercities:RomeandAthens,SicilyandAntioch,

wererobbedoftreasures.Ofallthesetreasuresthemostwonderful,almostifnotquitealone,survives.ForeighthundredyearsithadalreadystoodintheSanctuaryofDelphi,theserpentcolumnwithitstriplehead,inscribedwiththenamesoftheGreekcitystateswhichhadtriumphedonthefieldofPlata.ThroughallthechangesofthesixteencenturiessinceConstantinelivedthecolumnhasstillremainedwherehesetit.Itsheadsarenowbrokenoff,andonemaybeseeninthemuseum;butpartsoftheinscriptiononthecoilsmightstillbetracedfifteenyearsagowhenrubbingsweretaken.ThenameoftheTenians,whosetriremebroughtthenewstotheGreeksofthePersianapproach,maystillbeseen."Forthisservice,"saysHerodotus,"theTenianswereinscribedinDelphi,onthetripod,amongthosewhohadoverthrownthebarbarian."Thusfornearlytwothousand

fourhundredyearsthismemorialhasendured.OfallthewondersofthecityofConstantinethereisnonelikeit.

FromConstantinetoJustinianthehistoryofthecitymayberapidlytraversed,fornogreatbuildercamebetweenthemtorivaltheirwork.ItwasonMay11,330A.D.,thatthecityofConstantinewasdedicatedandreceivedthenameofNeworSecondRome.ThronedintheHippodrome,everaftertobethecentreofByzantinelife,ConstantinegavethankstoGodforthebirthofthisfaircity,thedaughter(sowroteS.Augustine),asitwere,ofRomeherself.Grandeur,riches,dignity,hecouldgivetohisnewcity:butbeforehedieditwasplainthathecouldnotbequeathtoheralegacyofpeace.

TheearlyhistoryofConstantinopleislargelyconcernedwiththedefenceofthetrueChristianfaith,handeddownfromtheApostles,againsttheerrorsofArius.TheCouncilofNica(Isnik)in325,summonedbyConstantineataplacenotmorethanaday'sjourneyfromConstantinople,definedthebeingoftheSecondPersonoftheBlessedTrinityas,ofoneessence(substance),withthatoftheFather,butcenturiespassedbeforethefalseteachingwasovercome.ItwasnaturalthatatConstantinople,theseatofimperialgovernment,thestrifeshouldbeconcentrated.ThithertheArianleaderswenttodenouncethegreatS.AthanasiusofAlexandriatothe


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Emperor.ItwastherethatConstantinegavehisordertotheagedbishopAlexanderthatAriusshouldbeadmittedtocommunion.TherethebishoplayinprayerbeforethealtarintheapseofS.Irene,beseechingGodtosparehimtheprofanation.TherethatverydayAriusmethisawfullysuddendeath.

UnderthesonsofConstantinetheimperialcitywitnessedscenesofdisturbanceandpersecution.AssoonasConstantiusfreedhimselffromthedangerofcivilwar,hethrewhimselfwarmlyintothesupportofArianism,and"devotedtheleisureofhiswinterquarters,"saysGibbon,"totheamusementortoilsofcontroversy;theswordofthemagistrate,andevenofthetyrant,wasunsheathedtoenforcethereasonsofthetheologian";andhereferstothehappypassagesinwhichAmmianusMarcellinusrecordstheresultsofhisdisastrousactivity,inlanguagewhichlosesnothinginGibbon'sEnglish.

"TheChristianreligion,whichinitselfisplainandsimple,heconfoundedbythedotageofsuperstition.Insteadofreconcilingthepartiesbytheweightofhisauthority,hecherishedandpropagatedbyverbaldisputesthedifferenceswhichhisvaincuriosityhadexcited.Thehighwayswerecoveredwithtroopsofbishops,gallopingfromeverysidetotheassemblieswhichtheycallsynods;and,whiletheylabouredtoreducethewholebodytotheirownparticularopinions,thepublicestablishmentofthepostswasalmostruinedbytheirhasty

andrepeatedjourneys."The"opinions"indeedwerefarfromoriginaltoConstantius,buthissupportofArianismrenderedthepositionoftheChurchintheimperialcitydangerousanduncertain.FivetimeswasthebishopPaulbanishedfromthecity.TheCatholicsroseintumult,andthestreetsofConstantinoplesawforthefirsttimewhattheyhaveoftensincewitnessed,amassacreinwhichnoteventhechurchespreservedthosewhofledtothemforrefuge.AnotherfatalprecedenthadalreadybeensetwhenConstantinedied,bythemurderofmanyprincesofhishouse.Oneofthefewsurvivorsascendedthethronein361,onthedeathofthelastofConstantine'ssons.ThisnewEmperorwasJulian,whomlaterageshavenamedtheApostate.

Julianhadbeenbaptizedandhad"followedthewayoftheChristians"

tillhewastwenty.Hehadeven,itseems,takenminorordersasareader.ButhewasgreatlyattractedbytheoldGreekideals,andhadnotpatiencetostudytheChristianreligionperfectly.AsEmperorhesethimselfseriouslytorevivePaganism,whichhadreceiveditsdeath-blowfromConstantine.

ThepaganEmperorwasaboveallthingsapedantandadoctrinaire.Itisimpossibletostudyhislifeorhiswritingswithoutasenseofhisextraordinaryself-conceit.Hewasmoralinlife,soundandexcellenteventowearinessinhisplatitudinariansentiments;buthewasobstinate,andblind,andabnormallyself-conscious,asmenofhismouldalwaysare.HewassoconvincedthathewasrightthathewasutterlyblindtothegooddeedsofChristiansanddeaftotheir

arguments,evenfromtheclearestthinkers.Weseeinhimnotatraceofintellectualprogress,evenonhisownlines;wefindhimthroughoutintenselysuperstitiousandfondofdabblinginoccultarts.Asastudent,hesomewhathastilyacceptedcertainconclusions,andfoundhimselfamarkedmaninconsequence.Fromthatmomentheclungtohisphilosophywiththetenacityofalimitedmind;andwemaybequitesurethestoryislegendarythatsuchamanadmittedonhisdeathbedthetriumphofareligioussystemwhichhehadcombatedallhislife.


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JulianwasbroughtupprobablyinConstantinople.AsEmperorhedidnotalittletoincreasetheprideandbeautyofthecity.EspeciallyinterestingtohimweretheconstitutionalruleswhichConstantinehadsetupinimitationoftheoldRome,andhepaidnotablerespecttotheofficeoftheConsul,andenlargedthepowersoftheSenate.Artandscienceheendeavouredtofosterbyendowmentsforteachingintheschoolsofthecity,andinthishewasfollowedbyhissuccessors.Juliandiedadisappointedmanin363,andhissuccessorsinclinedtotheCatholicparty;butstillArianismwasstrong,anditsstrengthwasfeltnotleastinConstantinople.Jovianproclaimedtoleration,Valentinianfollowedhim,ValensprofessedArianism.Whilereligionscontended,thematerialprosperityofthecitycontinuedtogrow.In378,whentheGothsdrewneartobesiegetheimperialcity,theyturnedback,itissaid,atthesightofitsincreasedsize.Alreadypeopleofeverykindredandtonguepouredintothegreatmartforcommerceandpleasure.Atlength,saysSozomen,itfarsurpassedRomebothinpopulationandriches,andEunapiusthusdescribesitsimportanceinhisday:--"Constantinople,formerlycalledByzantium,allowedtheancientAtheniansalibertyofimportingcorningreatquantities;butnownotalltheshipsofburdenfromEgypt,Asia,Syria,Phnicia,andmanyothernationscanimportaquantitysufficientforthesupportofthosepeoplewhomConstantine,byunpeoplingothercities,hastransportedthither."Alreadytherebeganthecustom,whichhaslastedsomanycenturies,ofbuildinghouseson

woodenpilesthrustoutintothesea.Astheincursionofthebarbariansbecamemoredangerousmanytookrefugeinthecapital;andyearlythechurchesgrewinimportance,andthemonasteriesattractedmorereligious.

"ThereweremanystructureswhichConstantinehadonlycommenced;andthecompletionofthefortificationsofthecityhadbeenlefttoConstantius;JulianfounditnecessarytoconstructasecondharbouronthesideoftheseaofMarmora;[1]Valenswasobligedtoimprovethewaterworksofthecitybytheerectionofthefineaqueductwhichspansthevalleybetweenthefourthandfifthhills.Andhowlargeanumberofhandssuchworkrequiredappearsfromthefactthatwhentheaqueductwasrepaired,intheninthcentury,6000labourerswere

broughtfromtheprovincestoConstantinopleforthepurpose."[2]

ButwhilethemagnificentaqueductofValens(364-378)stilltowersoverthecity,asoneviewsitfromtheheightsofPera,noothergreatbuildingwasaddedtillthereignofTheodosiustheGreat(378-395),whichmarksthetriumphofCatholicChristianityandthegreatincreaseinthesplendourofthepatriarchalandimperialabode.Acontemporary,GregoryofNyssa,quaintlydescribestheresultsofthetheologicalinterestswhichnowsurroundedthethrone.Notonlydidgreatpreachersfillthechurcheswithattentivecrowds,butthepoortookupthetale."Thecityisfullofmechanicsandslaveswhoareallofthemprofoundtheologians,andpreachintheshopsandinthestreets.Ifyoudesireamantochangeapieceofmoneyforyouhe

informsyouwhereintheSondiffersfromtheFather;ifyouaskthepriceofaloafyouaretoldbywayofreplythattheSonisinferiortotheFather;andifyouenquirewhetherthebathisready,theansweristhattheSonwasmadeoutofnothing."ThiswasinthetimeoftheAriantriumph.Itwastheworkofgreatpreachers,aswellasoftheorthodoxEmperor,torecovertheChurchfromtheblowsshehadreceivedinthehouseofherfriends.

ThethreegreatsaintsoftheEasternChurchinthefourthcenturywereindifferentwaysassociatedwithConstantinople.S.Basilof


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CsareainCappadocia,(brotherofS.GregoryofNyssa)wasafellow-studentoftheEmperorJulian,anddiedin379.Heknewverylittledirectlyoftheseatofempire;heprobablyonlytwicepassedthroughit;buthiswritings,fullineverypageoflucidorderandperspicuousexposition,didmuchtovindicatethepositionwhichtheorthodoxinConstantinoplewerestrugglingtoretain.Probablyitwasbeforehisdeaththatthegreatpreacher,S.GregoryofNazianzus,waspleadingintheimperialcity,andvindicatedbyhisgreatorationtheworshipoftheHolyTrinity.ThesiteofhisfirstpreachingwascommemoratedbythebuildingoftheChurchofAnastasia,anamegiventodenotetherisingagainoftheCatholicfaithofNica.ThesixteenthcenturymosqueofMehmedPacha,south-westoftheHippodrome,preservesthepositionofthechurch,whichwasdestroyedin1458.AtfirstthemissionofS.Gregorywasconductedamidscenesofthegreatestdisturbanceandatgreatdangertohisownlife.Hischurchwasprofaned,hehimselfwasstoned.ButwhenTheodosiusenteredthecityintriumphhegavetoS.GregorythegreatchurchoftheTwelveApostles,andhimselfsoughttoseathimupontheepiscopalthrone.Humble,andweakenedbysuffering,itwaswithreluctancethatthesaintenteredupontheheritageofthechurch;butherecordsthatwhenheenteredthesanctuarythelightthatburstforthonthechillNovemberdaycheeredhimtogivethanksbeforeallthepeopleforthebenefitswhichtheBlessedTrinityhadbestowed.Afteramonthofreluctancehewasatlengthinstalledasbishop.InMay381thesecond

GeneralCounciloftheChurchwasassembledbytheorderoftheEmperorTheodosiusatConstantinople.ItreassertedthecreedofNica,emphasisedtheCatholicteachingoftheDivinityoftheHolyGhost,andcondemnedtheheresyofApollinaris.Itsclaimtobeecumenicalrestsonitsunanimousacceptanceof"allthenationsandallthechurchesoftheChristianworld."

BythiscounciltheprecedenceofthebishopofConstantinopleintheChurchwasassignedasnextafterthatoftheRomanbishop,"becauseitisthenewRome."

S.Gregory,attackedbycriticsforhisacceptanceofthesee,whichhehadsoreluctantlyreceived,withdrewtoNazianzus."Thetitleofa

sainthadbeenaddedtohisname,butthetendenciesofhisheart,andtheeleganceofhisgenius,reflectamorepleasinglustreonthememoryofGregoryofNazianzen,"saysGibboninhisinimitableway.Theconsecrationofhissuccessor,asenatornamedNectarius,whowhenelectedhadnotyetbeenbaptised,isdescribedbythesameclassicas"whimsical,"butitservedtobringpeacetotheChurchofConstantinople.TheconquestsofTheodosiusconfirmedthesecurityoftheimperialthrone,andundertheruleoftheorthodoxEmperortheChurchintheEastregainedherpeace.Byhisorderallchurchesweregivenuptotheorthodox,andhisedictcondemnedallthosewhotaughthereticaldoctrines,and"who,thoughpossessingasoundfaith,formcongregationsseparatefromthecanonicalbishops."UnderTheodosiusthesecurityoflifeandpropertyintheimperialcity

tendedtoagreatincreaseofwealthandpopulation;andwiththattoaconsiderableextensionoftheareaoccupied.

"ShouldthezealoftheEmperortoadornthecitycontinue,"saidtheoratorThemistius,"awidercircuitwillberequired,andthequestionwillarisewhetherthecityaddedtoConstantinoplebyTheodosiusisnotmoresplendidthanthecitywhichConstantineaddedtoByzantium."

"Nolongeristhevacantgroundinthecitymoreextensivethanthatoccupiedbybuildings;norarewecultivatingmoreterritorywithin


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ourwallsthanweinhabit;thebeautyofthecityisnotasheretoforescatteredoveritinpatches,butcoversthewholearealikearobewoventotheveryfringe.Thecitygleamswithgoldandporphyry.Ithasa[new]Forum,namedaftertheEmperor;itownsbaths,porticos,gymnasia;anditsformerextremityisnowitscentre.WereConstantinetoseethecapitalhefounded,hewouldbeholdagloriousandsplendidscene,notabareandemptyvoid;hewouldfinditfair,notwithapparentbutwithrealbeauty."[3]

Thebeginningofthefifthcenturywitnessedthegreatextensionofthecitywhichtheoratorsograndiloquentlydescribesinanticipation.Anthemius,whoruledduringtheearlierpartoftheminorityofTheodosiusII.,builtthegreatwall,amileorinpartsamileandahalftothewestofConstantine'swall,whichstillextendsfromtheSeaofMarmoratotheso-called"palaceofBelisarius."Itwaswithinthecitynowrapidlygrowing,thatthegreatestpreacheroftheearlyChurch,beganattheendofthefourthcenturytoexercisehismarvellousinfluenceoverthecrowdsthatthrongedthegreatchurchofthecapital.Arcadius,thesonandsuccessorofTheodosiusI.,havingheardofthesplendideloquenceofJohn,apreacherofAntioch,whommencametocallChrysostom(thegolden-mouthed),nominatedhimtothethroneofConstantinopleonthedeathofNectariusin397.

Hesetanexample,whichtheclergysadlyneeded,ofsimplicityandasceticism;hewasnotonlyareformerbutanorganiserofmissions,andaboveallapreacherofrighteousness.TheEmperorandEmpress,ArcadiusandEudocia,wereamonghismostardentadmirers.HeowedhisnominationtotheimperialministerEutropius;yethedenouncedhisvicesattheheightofhispower,andwhenhefellpreservedhiminsanctuaryfromtherageofthepeople.ButtheEmpressandthecourtierssoongrewrestlessunderhissearchingexposureofviceandworldliness.Hewasaseveredisciplinarian:bishopswerereadytoturnagainsthim,andtheladiesofthecourtweredeterminedtoavengethemselvesontheircensor.WhenhedenouncedtheEmpressalmostopenlyasJezebel,itwasclearthatpeacecouldnotlongbemaintainedeveninappearance.Chargesofheresy,complicatedbyhis

charitablesuccourofsomeEasternmonkswhomthebishopofAlexandriahadill-treatedandbanished,ledtohiscondemnationbyacouncilofhisenemiesatChalcedon,acrosstheBosphorus.Whenthecitizensheardthistheysurroundedthepalaceoftheirbelovedbishopandkeptwatchallnightlestheshouldbeseized,buthegavehimselfupandwasbanishedtoHieron(nowAnadoliKavak)atthemouthoftheBlackSeaontheAsiaticside.Thepeopleassembledroundtheimperialpalacewiththreats;anearthquakeshooktheresolutionoftheEmpress,andChrysostomwasbroughtbackintriumphtohisthrone.Hispositionseemedstrongerthanever.Alwaysreadytobelievethebest,heacceptedtheEmpress'sassuranceoffriendshipandrepaiditwithcourtierlikeexpressionsofrespect.Butitwassoonapparentthatthefriendshipcouldnotbecontinuedwithoutasacrificeof

principle.Eudociaenvied,itwouldseem,thedivinehonoursofthepaganemperors;andthededicationofherstatueinSeptember403wasmadetheoccasionofblasphemousandlicentiousrevelry.FromtheamboofthegreatchurchS.JohnChrysostomdenouncedthewickednessofthefestival,whilethesoundofthedisturbancecouldbeheardashespoke.MendeclaredthathecomparedtheEmpresstoHerodias--"AgainHerodiasdances:againshedemandstheheadofJohnonacharger."

TheEmpressdemandedthepunishmentoftheboldpreacher.IntrigueswonovertheEmperor,time-servingbishopsbroughtupingenious


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distortionsofChurchrulesthroughwhichChrysostomcouldbepunished.Itwaspretendedthathewasnotlegallybishop,andatlastthetimidEmperorgavetheordertoarresthim,anactwhichwasaccomplished,inasceneofbrutaldisorderandviolence,inthegreatchurchitselfonEasterEve404,whenthesacramentofbaptismwasbeingministeredtothreethousandcatechumens.

Twomonthslaterhewassentintobanishment,andhisadherentsunderwentabitterpersecution.TheyappealedtothechurchesoftheWestforaid:ChrysostomhimselfwrotetoRome,Milan,andAquileia.ButtheEmperorwasnottobemoved.InhisbanishmentatCucusus,onthebordersofCiliciaandArmenia,theSaintexercisedaswideaninfluenceasonhisthrone.ConstantletterstoConstantinoplecheeredtheloyalclergy,comfortedpenitents,arousedfaintheartstodevotedserviceofGod.Buthissufferingsinexilewereatlengthmadefatalbythebrutalitywithwhichhewashurriedfromplacetoplace,andhegaveuphissoulonSeptember14,407,amartyrtohiszealforrighteousness.Thirtyyearsafterwardsin438hisbodywastranslatedtothecitywherehismemorywasstillcherished.ItcameintriumphalprocessiondowntheBosphorusfollowedbycrowdsofboats,andwaslaidinatombbythealtarintheChurchoftheHolyApostles;theEmperor,TheodosiusII.,prayingforthepardonofGodonthesinsofhisparents.

ThusbrieflythetaleofChrysostommaybetold.ItischaracteristicofthestrugglesthroughwhichtheChurchofConstantinoplehadtopassduringtheyearsofuncheckedimperialpower,whenitwasdependentonthearbitraryauthorityofasovereignwhomightbeweakandledbyevilcounsellors,orwickedandresentfulofanycriticismofhisdeeds,butwhohadalwaysathiscommandabodyofbrutalsoldiery,oftenpaganandretainingoftheoldRomantraditiononlytheimplicitobediencetothecommandsoftheirruler.ThenameofS.JohnChrysostom,lovedandhonouredbythepeopleinhislife,hasremainedthechiefgloryoftheChurchofConstantinople.ItissaidthathistombwasrifledbytheCrusadersin1204,andhisheadisshownamongtherelicsoftheCathedralofPisa;butincountlesswayshismemoryisstillpreservedbytheChurchwhichheruled.Atthe

CathedralChurchofthePatriarchateinthePhanartheypointto-daytoapulpitandathrone(ofmuchlaterdate)ashis;andtheancientliturgyoftheEast,usedfromtimeimmemorialintheChurchofConstantinople,hasbeengivenhisname,asthatofthemostfamousoftheholyprelateswhousedit.

ThetroublesoftheChurch,whichcentredroundthepersecutionandmartyrdomofS.Chrysostom,werefollowedbyatleastoutwardpeaceinreligiousmatters.ThechiefclergyofConstantinoplebecamethemereofficersoftheCourt.Butthedangersofthetimes,whenagainandagainthebarbarianwasatthegates,turnedmen'smindstotherepairofthefortificationsandthecompletionoftheircircuitaroundthenowgreatlyextendedcity.

TheworkofAnthemius,regentduringpartoftheminorityofTheodosiusII.,waseulogisedbyChrysostomhimself.TheofficeofPrtorianPrfectoftheEastwhichheheld,washonoured,saidthegreatpreacher,byhisholdingit.HerestoredthedefencesoftheEmpireaftertheweaknessofArcadius,"andtocrownthesystemofdefencehemadeConstantinopleamightycitadel.TheenlargementandrefortificationofthecitywasthuspartofacomprehensiveandfarseeingplantoequiptheRomanStateintheEastfortheimpendingdesperatestrugglewithbarbarism;andofalltheserviceswhich


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Anthemiusrendered,themostvaluableandenduringwastheadditionhemadetothemilitaryimportanceofthecapital.Theboundsheassignedtothecityfixed,substantially,herpermanentdimensions,andbehindthebulwarksheraised--improvedandoftenrepairedindeedbyhissuccessors--Constantinopleactedhergreatpartinthehistoryoftheworld."[4]

ThetwogreatestinterestsofConstantinoplehavealwaysbeenthemilitaryandtheecclesiastical.TheEasternchurcheshavealwayslooked,andlookto-day,ontheNewRomeasthecentreoftruereligionandsoundlearning.ThetheologyoftheCouncilsisthetheologyofthegreatChurchofConstantinopleanditspatriarchs;andinthedaysofitsbitterestpersecution,inthetimeswhentheinfidelhasruled,thestrongestsentimentoftheGreekpeople,whofeelthatthecityisstilltrulytheirown,isthatofloyaltytotheunalterablefaithandtheimmemorialliturgiesoftheholyOrthodoxChurchpreservedbythesuccessorsofS.Chrysostom.ButwhiletheintenseintellectualkeennessoftheEastandthechivalrousconservatismoftheancientGreekfamiliespreservesundisputedthedominionofreligion,andthethrongedchurcheswitnesstoadevotionwhichisperhapsmoreconspicuousthaninanycitywhichlivesontoourdayfromthecenturiesoftheMiddleAges,thegreatcityofConstantinecanneverceasetobethehomeofamilitarypower,wheremilitaryscienceiscultivatedandthesoldier'slifeisthemost

prominentbeforetheeyesofthepeople.EvenatthelowestpointoftheEmpire,thegreatcityoftheCsarswasalwaysamilitarystrongholdofthefirstclass.Thestreetshaveneverceasedtobethrongedwithsoldiers,andthemilitarypageantsofto-daylookbackfortheiroriginandtheirnecessitytothedaysofConstantineandTheodosiusandAnthemiusthewall-builder.Itissaidthatto-daythecityismorecompletelydefendedthananyotherinEurope.MorethansixteencenturiesagoitwasthestrengthofthewallsofAnthemiusandthesizeofthearmyandthefleetthathegatheredthatturnedbackthearmyofAttila.JustasthewholecitywasconcernedinthedoingsoftheChurch,itsbuildings,itsfestivals,itscouncils,sowereallthecitizensboundtotakepartinitsmilitarydefence.Thewalls,likethechurches,belongedtoall.Strictlaws,fromwhichno

onewasexempt,andthepoweroflevyingspecialtaxesbesidesthedueproportionofthecityland-tax,madeeverymanliabletocontribute.CharacteristicallytheHippodromehaditsshareindirectingthework.ThetwofactionsoftheCircus,thebluesandthegreens,werechargedwiththedirection;anditissaidthatin447theyfurnishednolessthansixteenthousandlabourersforthework.

ThereignofTheodosiusII.wasthegreatageoftheconstructionofdefences.ThewallsofAnthemiuswerebuiltin413;in439theseawallswereextendedtoincludethepartofthecitynowenclosed.In447,anearthquake,alwaysthegreatestenemyofthefortificationsandresponsibleevennowformoredestructionthananyotherforce,overthrewmuchofwhathadbeensolatelybuilt,withfifty-seven

towers.Attilawasalmostatthegates,andwasdictatinganignominioustreatyofpeace.But,asaninscriptionwhichmaybereadto-dayonthegatenowcalledYeni-MevleviHanehKapoussitells--

"Insixtydays,byorderofthesceptrelovingEmperor,KonstantinostheEparchaddedwalltowall."

ALatininscriptionmakesthesamerecordalmostinthewordsofthecontemporarychroniclerMarcellinusComes--


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"TheodosiijussisgeminonecmenseperactoConstantinusovanshaecmoeniafirmalocavitTamcitoquamstabilemPallasvixconderetarcem."

Thisadditionwasanewwall,infrontofthatofAnthemius,with192towers,andamoatwithout,formingtiersofdefence.Itwasthismagnificentseriesofbulwarkswhich,inthewordsofthehistorianofthewalls,"solongasordinarycouragesurvivedandthemodesofancientwarfarewerenotsuperseded,madeConstantinopleimpregnable,andbehindwhichcivilisationdefiedtheassaultsofbarbarismforathousandyears."[5]

TheodosiusII.reignedtill450.ThelaterpartofhisreignwasdisturbedbytheNestoriancontroversy,inwhichthebishopofConstantinoplehimselfinvolvedtheChurch.ThedenialbythisprelateofthetitleTheotokos(MotherofGod)totheBlessedVirginMarywasnoobscureattackupontherealityoftheIncarnationastheChurchhadalwaysreceivedit;andthepeopleofthecityaswellastheclergyreceivedthenewteachingwithdisgust.EasternandWesternbishopsunitedagainsttheheresy,andin431thethirdGeneralCounciloftheChurchatEphesuscondemneditanditsauthor,andagaindefinedtheCatholicfaith.ThepartyofNestoriuswasnotsuppressed,thoughhewashimselfdeposed,andinthesixthcenturyitbecamethegreatagentofChristianmissionsintheEast.

Hardlywasthisfalseteachingrejectedbeforeanewheresyarose.Eutyches,amonkofConstantinople,deniedtheexistenceoftwonaturesinChrist,andafteradisputewhichshooktheChurchfortwentyyearshisteachingwasatlastcondemnedbythefourthGeneralCouncil,whichmetatChalcedon,justacrosstheBosphorus.TheCouncilalsoemphasisedtheimportanceofthepositionnowheldbytheNewRomebyenactingthatitshouldbe"magnifiedinecclesiasticalmattersevenliketheelderimperialRome,asbeingnexttoit."ThisrulewasacceptedbytheEmperorMarcian,andthepoweritgavetoconsecratethemetropolitansofThrace,Asia,andPontuswassupportedbytheStateasabadgeofsupremacy.TheemperorswhofollowedMarcianwereallmoreorlessconcernedinthetheologicalstrife

whichtheopinionsofEutycheshadraised.TheMonophysites,asthepartywhichrejectedthedecisionsofChalcedoncametobecalled,wasconstantlyrisingintopowerintheCourt.Theimperialcrownwasworninturnbyfouradventurers,whodeposedprelatesandattemptedtoreconcilepartiesattheirwill.In482theEmperorZeno,withtheadviceofthepatriarchAcacius,putforththe_Henoticon_(formofunion),whichwasintendedtoreconciletheMonophysitestotheCatholicChurch.Thecontroversywasfarfromstilledbythisineptdocument;andwhenin484,Felix,thepopeofRome,withotherWesternbishops,wrotetothepatriarchAcacius,declaringhimdeposedfromhisoffice,andseparatedfromthecommunionofthefaithful,aschismwascausedinConstantinopleitself.WhilethemajorityoftheclergyandpeopletreatedtheRomandecreewithcontempt,someofthemonks,

andespeciallytheAkoimetai(anorderwhichkeptupperpetualworshipbysuccessionofworshippers,andthusreceivedthenameof"sleepless"),refusedcommunionwiththeirownpatriarch.TheHenoticonhaddividedtheChurch.ThepatriarchatesofAntiochandAlexandriawereMonophysite;JerusalemandConstantinoplewereorthodox.

ThereignofAnastasius,theson-in-lawofLeo,whosewifewasthewidowofhispredecessorZeno,wasregardedbytheorthodoxasaneraofpersecution.Himselfamanofpietyandvirtue,hewasgreetedby


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thepeopleintheCircusonhisaccessionwiththecry,"Reignasyouhavelived!"HeaddedtothedefencesofthecityagreatwallstretchingfromtheMarmoratotheEuxine,somethirty-fivemilesfromConstantinople;butheunhappilyturnedtotheology,andwidenedthegulfwhichtheHenoticonhadmadebetweentheEmperorsandtheChurch.InNovember512,thestreetsagainranwithbloodshedbythepeopleforthecauseofreligioustruth.Amidtheseyearsstainedbycrimeandfolly,theimperialcitywasagainandagainindangerfromexternalaswellasinternalfoes.AtthebeginningofthereignofAnastasiustheIsaurianswhohadbeendrivenfromthecityrebelled,andforfiveyearstherewaswar,endedonlywhen,in498,Isauriancaptiveswereledintriumphthroughthestreets.Elevenyearsbefore,TheodorictheGothhadstoodbeforethegates,butturnedbackfromthemassivestrengthwhichhecouldnotoverthrow.HewasnowrulerofItaly.AndevenintheEast,Huns,RomansandGothsagainandagainthreatenedthecapital.Anastasiusdabbledintheologytotheend,madeoverturestoPopeHormisdaswhichcametonothing,anddiedattheageofeighty-eight,regrettedbynone.

HewassucceededbyanilliteratebuthonestThraciansoldier,Justin.Orthodoxandstraightforward,hewaswelcomedbythepeopleasasaviourandasecondConstantine.UnderhisrulepeacewasmadewiththeorthodoxWest,andtheChurchagainhadrest.

WiththedeathofJustin,527,wereachthesecondgreatepochofthehistoryoftheimperialcity.ConstantinoplebeforethedaysofJustinian,whenTheodoric,about461,wassentasahostagetotheImperialCourt,_etquiapueruluseleganseratmeruitgratiamimperialemhabere_,wasthemostgloriouscityofEurope.Jordanes,thehistorianoftheGoths,tellshowhemarvelledatthewondroussight."Lo!nowIbehold,"saidhe,"whatIhaveoftenheard,buthaveneverbelieved,thegloryofsogreatacity!"Thenturninghiseyesthiswayandthat,beholdingthesituationofthecityandtheconcourseofships,howhemarvelsatthelongperspectiveofloftywalls.Thenheseesthemultitudeofvariousnationslikethestreamflowingforthfromonefountainwhichhasbeenfedbymanysprings;thenhebeholdsthesoldiersinorderedranks."Agod,"saidhe,

"withoutdoubtagoduponearthistheEmperorofthisrealm,andwhosoliftshishandagainsthim,thatman'sbloodbeonhisownhead."ThusthebarbarianmaywellhavespokenwhenhehadhisfirstsightofthemajestyoftheEmpireanditscivilizationinitsEasternhome.

[Illustration:YERIBATANSERAI(CISTERN)]

Withinafewyearstherewasagreatchange.Earthquakes,rebellions,fires,compelledtherebuildingofagreatpartofConstantinople,andJustiniantheGreat,lawyer,theologianandorganiserofvictory,leftmonumentsasenduringinarchitectureasintheotherspheresofhisactivity.WiththeexceptionofthechurchesofS.JohnoftheStudium

andS.Irene,andthewallsofTheodosius,thereareto-daynogreatworksoftheChristianperiod,saveaveryfewofthelaterEmperors,remaininginConstantinopleexceptthosewhichJustinianbuilt.HisarchitectscreatedtheByzantinestylewhichreacheditsmagnificentcompletioninS.Sophia.Thefinestofthecisternswhichastonishthetravellerto-dayaretheworkofhisage;andaswewalkbythesplendidwallsthatextendfromtheMarmoratotheGoldenHorn,itisalonghistriumphalwaythatwetread.Thefirstbookofthe"Aedifices"ofProcopius,writtentocommemoratehisachievementsinbuilding,isevennowahandbookinlittletothegloriesof


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Constantinople.

LeavingtoourdescriptionofthecitythestillstandingworkofthegreatEmperor,wemusthereshortlysketchthereignwhichwasforninecenturiesthemostgloriousmemoryoftheEasternEmpire.Bornin482or483,JustinianwasthesonofaDardanianpeasant,andwasbornatScupi(skp),"atthecrossing-pointofgreatnaturalroutesacrossthewesternpartoftheIllyrianpeninsula."WhenhisuncleJustinraisedhimselftothethronein518hewassentforandtrainedtosucceedto,ifnotalreadytoexercise,supremepower.SolongasJustinlivedJustinianwashischiefadviser.WhenVitalian,theorthodoxGoth,whosetroopsintheneighbourhoodofthecityseemedtothreatenthenewdynasty,wasmurderedinthepalace,itwasJustinian,forwhoseconcerninthecrimenovalidevidencehasbeenproduced,whorosetothehighestplaceinmilitaryaswellascivilaffairs.In523hemarriedthebeautifulTheodora,whoseearlierlifehasbeencoveredwithshamebyhistorianswhoseveracityisopenatleasttosuspicion.SheisdescribedbythebitterProcopiusaseverythingthatisvile;itisprobablytruethatheryouthwasdisreputable;butitiscertainthatshemadethenoblestatonementforthepastbythecharityandpietyofherlaterlifeandbythecourageandwisdomwhichwereofprofiteventotheEmpire.[6]Ofherbeautythereisnodoubt.Small,paleasmarble,butwithbrillianteyes,thebitterestofherenemiesdescribesher;andwhenheuses

thelanguageofcomplimenthedeclaresofthestatueerectedinherhonourbythebathsofArcadiusthat"thefaceisbeautifulbutfallsshortofthebeautyoftheEmpress,sinceitisutterlyimpossibleforanymerehumanworkmentoexpressherloveliness."Fouryearsafterthemarriage,whichwasoneofunbrokenaffectiontilltheEmpressdiedin548,Justinianwasassociatedwithhisuncleontheimperialthrone.OnApril1,527,hebecamesoleEmperor,andhereignedtill565.

ConstantinopleunderJustinianbecameagainthecentreofChristianEurope.Butbeforehispowerwasfullyestablisheditwasthreatenedbythegravestofthegreatinsurrectionswithwhichthepopulaceshoweditsindependenceanditsficklelevity.Theseditionarosein

theCircus,anditwaslongthefashiontobelievethatConstantinoplewasruledentirelyundertheswayofthefactionsoftheHippodrome.Amorecriticalinvestigationhasshownthatthedemes()rpartieswereorganisedbodiesintimatelyconnectedwiththecourtandthemunicipality.Thedemeshadtwoparts,militaryunderdemocrats,andcivil,orpolitical,underdemarchs.Theheadsofeachfactionwereofficersofthecourtandthearmy,andthedemeswerefullyorganisedformilitarypurposes.Notonlywerethey,aswehaveseen,intrustedwiththebuildingofthewall,buttheyprovided,undertheEmperorMaurice,troopsfortheguardingofthelongwalls;andJustinianhimself,attheendofhisreign,usedtheminasimilarway.Itwastothedemes,onewriterseemstoshow,thatJustinowedhisthrone.Butwhiletheirmilitaryandpoliticalimportanceisnow

fullyrecognised,wearestillwithoutanexplanationofhowtheybecameconnectedwiththepartiesandcoloursoftheCircus.

Howeverthatmaybe,wefindinthereignofJustiniantwolargeCircusparties,theBluesandtheGreens,withwhomweremergedassub-divisionstheRedsandtheWhites,whoorganisedtheracesandhadsomuchlibertyallowedthembythelaws,thattheywereabletodefyemperorsandsetpublicorderatdefiance.Butthemadnessoftheirriotwasnotwithoutamethod.Tothedemesorfactionswereallowedprivilegeswhichseemedthelastrelicsoftheancientfreedomofthe


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Greekcities."Inthesixthcentury,"saysProfessorBury,"theoutbreaksofthedemesrepresentalaststruggleformunicipalindependence,onwhichitisthepolicyofimperialabsolutismtoencroach.Thepowerofthedemarchshadtogivewaytothecontroloftheprfectsofthecity."

[Illustration:THEIMPERIALQUARTER]

OnJanuary13,532,therebegananinsurrectioncalledeverafterthe"Nika"(conquer),fromthewatchwordsoftheinsurgents,whichthreatenedtheimperialthrone,andwentnightodestroythewholecity.Theprfectofthecityledtoexecutionsomecriminalsbelongingtobothparties,threedaysbefore.TheGreens,duringthecelebrationofpublicgamesintheHippodromeonSunday,January11,appealedtotheEmperoragainstCalapodius,theimperialminister,andthemostextraordinarydialogueoccurred."Besilent,Jews,SamaritansandManichans,"criedJustinian's_mandator_,utteringimperialcommands,buttheyrenewedtheircomplaints,andfinallypassedintoinsults,callingtheEmperortyrantandmurderer.Justiniandeterminedtoshowhisindifferencetothemobbytheexecutionthatnightofcriminalsofbothfactions.Twowererescued,andthetwofactionsdeterminedtoprocuretheirpardon,andonthe13th,whenthegreatgamestookplace,theyappealedtoJustinian,butinvain.Thetwodemesthendeclaredthemselvesunited,andhavingnoanswerfromthe

prfectwhosehousetheysurrounded,theysetfiretotheprtorium,andtheninthenightspreadthefireovertheimperialquarter.TheporticoofthePalace,theBathsofXeuxippus,theSenate-house,andthewoodenchurchofS.Sophiaweresetonfire.NextmorningtheymarchedtothePalaceanddemandedthedismissaloftheunpopularministers.Justinianwasabouttoyield,andindeedhadgiventheorder,whentheinsurgentsdeterminedtodeposehim.Anastasiushadleftthreenephews,Probus,HypatiusandPompeius.Failingtofindthefirstthemobburnedhishouse.Thetwootherbrothersremainedinsafetyinthepalace.Nextdaythegreatestgeneraloftheage,Belisarius,whohadbutrecentlyreturnedfromavictoriouscampaignagainstthePersians,salliedforthfromthepalacewithabodyofbarbariantroops,GothsandHeruls--forthegarrisonofthecitycould

notbetrusted--andfiercefightingoccurredfortwodaysinthestreets.Theclergydidtheirutmosttorestorepeace,butwereutterlyunheeded,andintheeveningofthe16ththeChurchofS.Irene,builtbyConstantine,wasburnt,thoughnottotheground,andtheHospiceofSamson,whichstoodbetweenitandS.Sophia,werealsodestroyed.Onthe17th,Saturday,thefirespreadstillfurther,andalmostallthecentreofthecitywasreducedtoashes.AtnightJustiniandeterminedtogiveupHypatiusandPompeiustothemob,hopingnodoubtthatiftheywereconspiringagainsthimtheywouldbelessdangerousoutsidethanwithinthepalace.Inspiteoftheirreluctancehedrovethemforthtotheirownhouses.Nextday,earlyontheSundaymorning,theEmperorhimselfwentdowntotheHippodromeandmadewhatwaslittlebetterthananabjectsubmission.Hesworeon

thegospelstoforgiveallthathadbeendone,iforderwerenowrestored."Theblameisnotyoursbutallmine.ForthepunishmentofmysinsIdidnotgrantyourrequestswhenfirstyouspoketomeinthisplace."Somecriedoutthathesworefalsely,andnoheedwastakenofhiswords.AfewhourslaterHypatiuswasproclaimedEmperor,andasthemobsurroundedthepalaceitseemedthattherewasnothingfortheEmperorbutflight.Itwasthen,whenJustinianwasreadytoyieldandcrosstheBosphorustothesafetyofChalcedon,thatTheodorashowedherselfworthyofthepurple."Notimeisthis,"shecried,"toaskwhetherawomanshouldbeboldbeforemenorvaliant


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whenmenareafraid.Theywhoareinextremestperilmustthinkofnothingbuthowbesttomeetwhatliesbeforethem.Tofly,ifeveritbeexpedient,wouldnownotbeso,Ideclare,evenifitpreservedus.Foramanbornintothislightnottodieisimpossible;butforonewhohasbeenEmperortobecomeanexileisnottobeendured.LetmenevercometobewithoutthispurplerobenorlivethatdaywhenmenshallceasetocallmetheirsovereignLady.Ifyou,Emperor,wishtoescape,itisnohardmatter.Hereisthesea,andtherelietheships.Butconsiderwhetheryoumaynotonedaywishthatyouhadexchangedyourmeansafetyforagloriousdeath.FormeIlovetheancientsaying,'Howbraveasepulchreakingdomis!'"

ThusTheodoraprovedherselffitmateforaCsar,andworthyofhercrown;andthosewhohadcounselledflightnowfoundcouragetoresist.WhileJustinian'smenplannedanattack,thefollowersofHypatiusagreedupondelay,andhehimselfsent,itwouldseem,tomakepeacewiththeEmperor.Ashismessengerwent,hewastoldthattheCsarhadfled,andthentheunhappypretendertookuponhimthedignityofEmperor.InafewhoursBelisariusledhistroopsuponthemultitudeassembledintheHippodrome,andbeforenightfalltheyforcedtheirwayinwithfireandsword,andofallthecitizensgatheredintheCircusnotoneleftitalive.JustinianwasnottoldtilltoolatethatHypatiushadbeenwillingtosubmit.Thetwobrothersweredraggedoutwithcontumely,andthenextmorningbefore

daylighttheyfellundertheswordsofthebarbariansoldiers.TheEmperor,itissaid,wouldhavesparedthem,butTheodora,"swearingbyGodandbyhim,urgedhimtohavethemkilled."ZachariahofMitylenesaysthatmorethan80,000personsperishedintheriot.

AtmiddayonMonday,January19,Constantinoplewasatpeace;butitwasinruins.ThreedistinctconflagrationshadreducedthegrandestmonumentsofthecityofConstantinetoashes.OnthefirsttwodaysoftheriotallthebuildingsoftheAugusteumweredestroyed,andwiththemS.Sophia,the"GreatChurch,"onlyitsbaptistery,itwouldseem,beingsaved.Twodayslaterthebuildingsnorth-westofS.Sophiawereinflames,andamongthemtheHospiceforpoorandsickfolk,"foundedinancienttimesbyaholymanwhosenamewasSamson,"

andConstantine'sChurchofS.Irene.Onthe17ththebuildingsroundtheMes,thestreetwhichconnectedtheforumofConstantinewiththeAugusteum,andthe"greatporticoesleadinguptotheagoranamedfromConstantine,andmanyhousesofrichmen,andlargeproperty,wereburned."Thus,agreatpartofwhathadbeenthefirstByzantium,whichwasadornedwiththefinestbuildingsofConstantine,wasutterlydestroyed.Toonewhosawtheblackenedruins,theyseemedlikethemassesofmoltenlavaroundthecraterofavolcano.ToJustinian,alreadyagreatlaw-giver,camethetaskofbuildinganewtheimperialcity.

[Illustration:THEBURNTCOLUMN]

TheEmperorbeganatoncewiththerebuildingoftheGreatChurchoftheDivineWisdom.Onthe23rdofFebruarytheworkwasbegun:onDecember26,537,thenewchurchwasdedicated."Theprocession,"saysTheophanes,whowrotefromoldermaterialsintheeighthcentury,"startedfromthechurchoftheAnastasia,"whereS.GregoryofNazianzushadlongpreachedtothemenofByzantium,"Menas,thepatriarch,sittingintheroyalchariot,andtheKingwalkingwiththepeople."In558theeasternpartofthedomewiththeapsewasdestroyedbyanearthquakeandwasrebuilt.Agathias,acontemporaryhistorian,thusdescribesthebuildingandtherestoration:


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"Nowtheformerchurchhavingbeenburntbytheangrymob,Justinianbuiltitupagainfromthefoundations,asgreat,andmorebeautifulandwonderful,andthismostbeautifuldesignwasadornedwithmuchpreciousmetal.Hebuiltitinaroundform,withburntbrickandlime.Itwasboundtogetherhereandtherewithiron;buttheyavoidedtheuseofwood,sothatitshouldnomorebeeasilyburnt.NowAnthemiuswasthemanwhodevisedandworkedateverypart.Andwhenbytheearthquakethemiddlepartoftheroofandthehigherpartshadbeendestroyed,theEmperormadeitstronger,andraisedittoagreatheight.Anthemiuswasthendead,buttheyoungmanIsidorusandtheothercraftsmen,turningoverintheirmindstheearlierdesign,andcomparingwhathadfallenwithwhatremained,estimatedwheretheerrorlay,andofwhatkinditwas.Theydeterminedtoleavetheeasternandwesternarchesastheywere.Butofthenorthernandsoutherntheybroughttowardstheinsidethatportionofthebuildingwhichwasuponthecurve.Andtheymadethesearcheswider,soastobemoreinharmonywiththeothers,thusmakingtheequilateralsymmetrymoreperfect.Inthiswaytheywereabletocoverthemeasurelessnessoftheemptyspace,andtotakeoffsomeofitsextenttoformanoblongdesign.Andagain,theywroughtthatwhichroseupaboveitinthemiddle,whethercycleorhemisphereorwhateverothernameitmaybecalled.Andthisalsobecamemorestraightforwardandofabettercurve,ineverypartagreeingwiththeline;andatthe

sametimenotsowidebuthigher,sothatitdidnotaffrightthespectatorsasbefore,butwassetmuchmorestrongandsafe."

[Illustration:S.SOPHIAANDTHEMINISTRYOFJUSTICEFROMTHESEA]

Amoreminuteaccountoftheworkmustbereservedtillwepassfromhistorytodescription.HerewehaveonlytosummariseandcharacterisetheworkofthegreatarchitectswhomJustinianemployedtorebuildhiscity.Theopportunitywasagreatone.Constantinoplewasnowthecentreofthecivilisedworld.ThithercameinthesixthcenturyacrowdasmotleyasthosegatheredtogetheronthedayofPentecost,orasmaybeseennowonthebridgeofGalata.MenofMesopotamiaandSyria,Persians,Greeksfromtheislandsandthe

Peloponnese,menofSicilyandAfrica,AlexandrinesandPalestinianJews,metwiththeRomanandwiththebarbariansubjectsofthenowagainundividedempire.

OfthisvastgatheringofthenationsByzantineartwastheresultandthereflexion.Butadaptiveasitwasofeveryinfluencethatcamebeforetheeyesofitsgreatmasters,itwas,aboveall,likethecitywhereitreacheditshighestglory,pre-eminentlyreligiousandChristian.Thenewstylehasbeencalled"historical-dogmatic,"andindeeditcombinedinamarvellousmannerthetraditionsofdifferentracesundertheunitingpoweroftheCatholicfaith.

ThegeniuswhichgavetotheByzantinearchitectureitscompleted

glorywasthatofAnthemiusofTralles,ofwhoseskillcontemporarywriterswriteinenthusiasticapplause.Hisworks,saysAgathias,"evenifnothingweresaidaboutthem,wouldsufficeofthemselvestowinforhimaneverlastinggloryinthememoryofmanaslongastheystandandendure."

ThecharacteristicsoftheartofAnthemiusatitshighestdevelopmentmaybeseento-dayinConstantinople.Therearefewchurchesearlierthanhistimestillstanding.Amongthesemaybethesemi-basilicanS.TheklaandS.TheodoreofTyrone,andcertainlyareS.Johnofthe


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StudiumandS.Irene.ThelastwasrebuiltbyJustinianimmediatelyaftertheNikainsurrectionin532,butitbelongstotheearlierstyle.SimilartoitwasthechurchofS.PeterandS.Paul,nowdestroyed,butofwhichsomebeautifulmarblecapitalslieintheseaclosetothepalaceofHormisdas.LatercamethestillstandingchurchofS.SergiusandS.Bacchus,calledbythepeople"littleS.Sophia,"builtabout527byJustinianhimself.ThispreparesthewayforalmosteveryfeaturewhichappearsdevelopedandcompletedinthegreatS.Sophiaitself.Thetwomoststrikingcharacteristicsofthenewstylearetheimpostcapitalandthemergingofsubsidiaryspacesinonecentralbuilding.

Theimpostcapitalisprobablyfirstseeninthegreatcistern,alsoofJustinian'sday.ImayhererepeatwhatIhavesaidelsewhere.[7]

"Strygowski[8]regardsthisimpost-capitalastheworkofthebuilderofthegreatcistern,whohethinksmayhavebeenAnthemius,hereprovinghisfitnessforthegreatworkofS.Sophia.Itwas,heshows,anarchitecturalrevolution.Thecapital,withundercutvolutes,wassuitableforastraightarchitrave,butnotforthearch.Henceapiecewasinsertedtotransfertheweightfromtheanglestothecentre.TheTheodosianageusedaninsertedimpost.TheconstructiveactivityoftheageofJustinianproducedtheimpost-capital.

Astodesign,thecapitalslyingneglectedaboutthecity,togetherwiththose_insitu_inthechurchesandcisterns,furnishaperfectmuseumofthetypeswithwhichothers,dispersedoverthewholeareaoftheempire,agreeintheminutestparticularsofdesignandworkmanship.Theacanthusleaves,sofamiliarthroughalltheworkofthecenturies--fromtheGoldenGate(388)onward,andtheporticotoS.JohnoftheStudiumacenturylater--assumethebeautiful"windblown"designintheruinsnearthe"RoseMosque."[9]

Thesecondfeatureisthearrangementwhichunitesthelongitudinalwiththecentralbuildingandmakesthewholeeffectoftheinteriorofonepiecebyrelatingeverypieceofwork,pillar,arch,semi-dome,totheonevastcentraldomewhichcrownsthewhole.Fromwithout,but

moreclearlyfromwithin,thearchitectureofS.Sophiaisseentoformoneentireandperfectwhole.Itisimpossibletoconceiveitdeprivedofasinglefeaturewithoutthesacrificeofthewhole.Tomutilatewouldbetodestroy.

SeentheninitsgrandeuratS.SophiatheworkofJustinianchangedtheappearanceofthewholecity.Procopiusinhis_Aedifices_recordswhatwaswhenhewrotein558,acompletelistofwhathadbeenbuiltinthereign.Everywheretherewerearising,asthoughbyanenchanter'swand,palaces,churches,baths,aqueducts,greatcisternssupportedonexquisitelycarvedcolumns,newmarkets,housesforthegreatnobles,barracks,hospitals,convents.Thesplendourandbeautyofthenewcity,itsrichnessofdecoration,marbles,statuary,

mosaics,struckallbeholderswithamaze.Thechroniclers,whoinothertimeswouldhavebeensatisfiedtotellofmilitarysuccessesandcourtintrigues,nowtellofmeasurementsanddesigns,andcollectlistsofgemsandsplendoursofdecoration.ThereignofJustinian,inspiteofmanyforeigndangers,andoppressionathome,isthemostmagnificentperiodofearlyByzantinehistory;andthemagnificenceseemedtobeexpressedinthebuildingsofConstantinople.

WhenProcopiusinhis_difices_hastoldofthegloriesofS.Sophia,hegoesontospeakoftheAugusteumanditsstatues.Chiefestamong


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them,oneofJustinianhimselfasAchilles.ThenS.Irene,thenthechurchesoftheBlessedVirginattheBlachernaeandatBaluklibeyondthetriumphalway.Churchafterchurchfollowsinhistale,andchiefamongthemthosewhichthemarinerseesashesailsuptheGoldenHorn."Astotheotherbuildings,itwouldbehardtonamethemall."TheHospiceofSamsonroseagainfromitsruins,probablyclosebywherethegateoftheoldSeraglionowstands.ThebathsofXeuxippus,whichlasteddowntothetimeofMohammedtheConqueror,withtheotherbuildingsneartheAugusteumandtheforumofConstantine,wererestored."InadditiontothisherebuiltandaddedgreatmagnificencetothehousenamedafterHormisdas,whichstandsclosetothepalace,towhichhejoinedit,"--thatpatheticruinwhosebrokenwallhangsovertheMarmorato-day.Whentheeulogistcomestothepalaceitself,wordsfailhimtorepeatitsglories,thepictures,mosaics,marbles,thatcombinetomakethewallsglitteraswithlife.Afterworksofbeautycomethoseofuse,andthecisternsreceiveasmuchpraiseasworksmorebrilliantyethardlymorebeautiful.

ItisbuildingssuchasthesethatenableustoseewhatJustinianwastothecapitalofhisEmpire.EveryyearitseemedthatnewvictoriesandnewconversionswereincreasingthepoweroftheEmpireandtheChurch.WhileBelisariusreconqueredItalyandmadethenameoftheCsaragainhonouredatRomeandRavenna,endedthecruelruleoftheVandalsinAfricaandSicily,crushedtheGothsofSpain,andkeptthe

strongPersianprinceatbayontheeasternfrontieroftheempire,ChristianmissionsspreadthefaithoftheorthodoxChurchtotheCaucasusandtheSudan.Againandagaindidprocessionsofreturningwarriorspassalongthetriumphalway,buttheEmperoraloneenteredbytheGoldenGate.ItwasintheHippodromethatBelisariuscelebratedhistriumphovertheVandals.Itwasnighsixhundredyears,Procopiusthought,sinceanyhadhadthesame.ButBelisariuswalkedwithaproudhumilityfromhisownhousetotheHippodrome,andthencefromhisowntenttotheimperialthrone.TherichspoilsthatwerespreadoutwerethetreasuresofalltheyearsofVandalconquest,andamongthemsomeofthevesselsthatTitushadbroughtfromthetempleatJerusalemandGenerictheVandalconquerorhadtakenfromRome.TheseJustiniangavetochurchesintheHolyCity.As

thecaptiveswereleduptotheimperialthronealleyeswerefixedontheVandalchief,Gelimer,wearingthepurple,asinmockery,withhiskindredabouthim,"himselfthetallestandmostbeautifuloftheVandals."Ashewalkeduptothethronehelookedup,andutteringnolamentforhisfallenstate,saidwiththepoet'ssimplefeeling,"Vanityofvanities."TheystrippedhimofhisrobeandmadehimfallonhisfacebeforetheEmperor.Besidehimknelthisconqueror,andsupplicatedforhispardon,andthedaywascrownedbygenerositysuchastheEmperorlovedtoshowandthepeopletoapplaud.

[Illustration:THEGOLDENGATE]

Suchscenesbecamefamiliartothepeopleastheyearsofvictory

rolledon.Theysaw,too,Belisarius,drawnthroughthestreetsinhischariotbythecaptivesofhiswars,whenhereceivedthedignityofPatrician.TheempireofJustinian,basedupontheoldlawswhichhecollectedandenlarged,cherishingthetraditionsofoldRome,waseagertoreviveeverygloryofformerdays."Andthen,"saysProcopius,whohimselfthebitterestofsatiristsofthepresent,lookednotunkindlyonthepast,"mensawthingslongforgottenthusrenewedbytime."Butthepicture,brilliantthoughitwas,wasnotunclouded.ThecityoftheCsarswasagainandagainthreatenedbybarbariansandstruckbythevisitationofGod.In542Constantinople


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wasdevastatedbyaterriblepestilence,thebubonicplague,thathaslostnoneofitsterrorsinfifteenhundredyears.Forfourmonthsitraged,andatitsheightProcopiusdeclaresthatasmanyastenthousandperishedinaday.Itsparednoconstitutionandnoage,andGodalonecouldbethecauseofit.Justinian,whowasoneofthefewwhorecovered,wasassiduousincharitableaid;butthelosstothecitycouldhardlybeconceived--notrades,noshops,saystherecorderofmanyhorrors,remained,and"manyforfearleavingtheirbadcourses,consecratedthemselvestoGod,andmanywhenthedangerwaspassedfelltotheirolddespisingofGodagain."

Afterplaguescamefaminesandearthquakes,andinthelastyearofthereign,thedreadarmyoftheHuns,underZabergan,drewnigheventothewallsofConstantinople,murderingandravagingastheycame.Hastilythetreasuresofthechurchnorthwardsofthecitywerebroughtforsafetywithinthewalls,andBelisariusinoldageagaincameforwardtosavetheempire.Itwashislastvictory,andsevenyearslaterhepassedaway,honouredandbeloved.TheEmperorhimselfdiedbutafewweekslaterinNovember565.Thegloriesofthereignhadpassedawaybeforetheagedrulerlaiddownhispower;butheleftareconqueredEmpireandacapitalthatwasthewonderoftheworld.

Helefttooamemoryasatheologian,whichthechurchforsomecenturiescontinuedspeciallytohonourinhermostsolemnservice.

Justinian,thelegislator,thebuilderandtheorganizerofvictory,seemedtothevisionofDantetodwelllikethesuninperpetuallight.

_Scome'lsol,chesicelaeglistessiPertroppaluce,quandoilcaldoharoseLetemperanzede'vaporispessi;PerpiletiziasmisinascoseDentoalsuoraggiolafigurasanta._

Tothisaspectofhislifewecangiveherebutlittleattention;butitisnottobedoubtedthatitwasasatheologianthatthemenofhisConstantinopleheardmostoftheirruler'sdoings.Farintothe

darkhours,saysthechroniclerofhisreign,hesatwritingthetheologicaltreatiseswhichexpressedtheteachingoftheChurch;nightafternighthewouldstudyinhislibrarythewritingsoftheFathers,andtheSacredScriptures,withsomelearnedprelatesormonksathand,thathemightdiscusswiththemthequestionsastheyrosebeforehismind.FromthetimeofhispredecessorhehadbeenengagedincorrespondingwithPopesontheologicalpoints,andwhenhebecamesolerulerhedeterminedonceforalltosettlethesideissueswhichdependedonthegreatMonophysitecontest.Edictafteredict,letterafterletter,treatisescloselyarguedandtightlypackedwithpatristicandscripturallearning,andevenhymns,showedtherestlessactivityoftheimperialtheologian.Whenin535AnthemiusofTrebizondwasmadePatriarchofConstantinople,andwhenPopeAgapetus

cameonamissionfromtheGothicKingTheodahad,thediscussionofarticlesofthefaithbroughtthedepositionofthepatriarchasamonophysite,andthesuccessionofMennas,headofthehospiceofSamson.ThencametheconflictwiththeOrigenists,whichledindirectlytothecontroversyof"theThreeChapters"andthesessionoftheFifthGeneralCouncil.Ofthisitwerehereawearinesstotell.LetitsufficetosaythatonMay5,553,theCouncilmetinthesoutherngalleryofthegreatChurchoftheDivineWisdom.ThePopehimselfwasatConstantinoplebuthewouldnotattendthesessions.HewaslodgedatfirstintheroyalpalaceofPlacidiaattheeasternend


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ofthepromontory,beyondS.Irene,lookingovertheseatoAsiaandthechurchesofChalcedon.ThenhefledbynighttocrosstheBosphorusandtookrefugeintheChurchofS.EuphemiaatChalcedonwhereahundredyearsbeforethecouncilhadsat.Embassiescrossedandrecrossedthesea;eventhegreatgeneralBelisariuswasanenvoy,butVigilius,whentheCouncilmet,refusedtojoinit,tospeak,ortovote:andtheCouncilmadeshortworkofthefoolish,bombastic,hesitatingpontiff.ItcondemnedthosewhorefusedtoreceiveitsdecisionsandstruckVigiliusoutofthediptychsonwhichwereinscribedthenamesofthoseprayedforattheEucharist.

ButiftherewasnoRomanpatriarchpresent,therewasthenewpatriarchofConstantinople,Eutychius,andthepatriarchsofAlexandriaandAntioch,whileheofJerusalemsentproxies.Tothedecisionsofthecouncilahundredandsixty-foursignatureswereaffixed.Theologiansstillcontestastowhetheritwasafreeandopencouncil;butitwasacceptedbeyondquestion,thoughaftersomeyears,bythewholeChurch.Itdiditswork:itsafeguardedtheCatholicfaithbystrippingbarethemeaningofstatementswhichindirectlyattackedtheDivineandHumanNaturesoftheIncarnateSon.Itcondemnedthesesubtlesuggestions,anditpreservedtotheChurchtherealChristofWhomshehadlearned.

Thesetheologicalquestionsstandout,itmayseemtosometo-day,too

boldlyinthehistoryoftheNewRome:buttheyknowlittleofthecapitaloftheEastwhodonotknowhowclosetoitslifeliethesemattersofdogmaanddefinition.Theverytradesmenattheirworktalkedofthem,astheytalkedinthetimeofGregory;andtherewasnothingwhichthecrowdswhothrongedthemarketsandthebasilicasinthedaysofJustinianmorereadilyormoreconstantlydiscussed.Constantinopleinthesefirstcenturiesofherlifehadthetheologicalinterestclosesttoherheart;astheyearswentontheneedsofdefencebroughtthemilitaryinteresttothetop.

ThecityinJustinian'sdayswasrichandfullofbread.Allthegloryoftheworldseemedtheretobegatheredtogether,andwithitthevice,whichsternlawsandthecharitableinstitutions,foundedbythe

imperialsovereigns,endeavouredasbesttheycouldtoconquerortoheal.Thethrongedmarketssoldeverykindofgoods,forcommerceorluxury.ThemonkswhobroughtthesilkwormfromChinatotheEmperor'scourtenabledhimtofoundanindustrywhichaddedgreatlytoresourcesofhisempireandtheprosperityofhispeople.Themosaics,whichglitteredonthewallsofthechurches,weremadebyskilledartistsinthecityitself--carvedwork,images(theiconswhichtheGreekChurchhasneverceasedtolove),jewellery,beautifullywrought,wereamongthemanufacturesofthegreattradingcentreoftheEast;andthemilitaryenginesforwhichtheEasternarmywasrenownedweremadewithinthewallsofthecapitalitself.ThepagesofProcopiusandAgathias,ofLydusandJohnofEphesus,showabusyhurryinglife,elaborateadministrativearrangements,official

classesgreedyandexclusive,popularagitationshastyandfickle,anaccumulatingluxurywithallitsaccompanimentsofoppression,avarice,andvulgarshow.Themillionairesofthesixthcentury,withtheirgout,theircostlyequipages,andtheirsummerpalacesontheBosphorusoratChalcedon,wereaprominentfeatureinthelifeofthegreatcity.BesidethemweretheduskytradersfromthefarEast,thehordesofbeardedmonkseverreadytojoininthelogicalsquabblesortakepartinpopularriots,andthesilentbarbariansoldiers,openingwonderingeyesonthedisputesandthesplendoursoftheimperialcity,andpromptatthewordofcommandtodethroneemperorsor


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massacretheirfoes.Insuchacityitwouldhavebeenstrangeiftherewereorderorpeace;andindeedtheconstantcomplaintofthechroniclersisofnobles,clericsandartizans,whomitwasimpossibletorestrain.Yetamidthissceneofconfusionatanymomenttheimperialpowermightshowitselfwitharbitraryandbrutalabruptness.WhenaservantmaidbymischancespatontherobeofthedeadEmpressEudociaasitwascarriedtothetombshewasexecutedimmediatelyandwithoutprotest.

3.FROMJUSTINII.TOTHELATINCONQUEST.

In565Justiniandied,andthegloryofhisreignsetinadullglowthatheraldedstorms.JustinII.,hisnephew,wasatyrantandamadman,butitwaspowerwhichbroughtouthistyrannyandhismadness.Whenhecametothethronehespokemildlyandwell.HemadeprofessionoforthodoxyinS.Sophia;hewasraisedontheimperialshieldinthepalace;hepromisedintheHippodrometopaythedebtsofthedeadEmperor.Theywerestrangescenes,suchasthepeopleofByzantiumoftensaw,andstrangestofalltoourmindsisthatwhichshowsthecitizensintheplaceofpublicgamesclamouringbeforetheimperialthroneforthepaymentofdebtsofJustinian.

Constantinopleisstillthesame.Evenwhenitlookscowed,ithas

stillitsimpudenceanditsdeterminationtocriticise.Justin'sdoingswerewatchedandmockedat,asifhehadbeenthehumblesttradesman,bythecityjesters.Hebuiltagoldenchamberinthepalacebythesea:hesetupapillartorecordhisvirtues,andthensomeoneaffixedatabletonit:

Build,buildaloftthypillar,Andraiseitvastandhigh;Thenmountandstanduponit,Soarproudlyinthesky;East,southandnorth,andwestward,Whereverthoushaltgaze,Noughtshaltthouseebutruins,

Theworkofthineowndays.

MeanwhilethebarbarianswerecomingnearertotheEmpire.TheAvarsdemandedtribute,andtheTurks,anamethatwassosoontobeafamiliarterror,sentenvoystotheCsar'scourt.Theenemies,itmightseem,werealreadyclosinginwhenJustinbecamealunatic,burstingintomadfitsofrage,anddrawnaboutthepalaceinatoycart,whilethe"wholesenateandcity"knewofthesadfateoftheirEmperor.Sophia,hiswife,hadallthemasterfulgeniusofherauntTheodora.ItwasshewhogavetheruletoTiberiusII.,underwhomtheempiresteadilydecayed.Maurice,hissuccessor,wasasevereruler,whomthepeoplelearnedtohate.Whenatlasthisreignendedinarevolutionandaflight,itwasthepeopleofConstantinople,the

demesandthefactionsoftheCircus,whogavehimtodeath,andplacedtheimperialcrownontheheadofPhocas,hissuccessor.

WhileConstantinoplethusdethronedandsetupthecivilrulersoftheEmpire,itwasclaimingforitspatriarchthehighestpositionintheChurch.WhenatthebeginningofthesixthcenturythepatriarchJohnhadsignedtheformuladrawnupbyPopeHormisdas,herepudiatedanyclaimtosuperiorityonthepartoftheoldRome:thetwocitiesandthetwoSeeshedeclaredwereone.Asearlyas518thepatriarchofConstantinoplecalledhimself"universalbishop":in595thegreat


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PopeGregory,whohadhimself,asapapalenvoy,seenthegreatnessoftheEasternSee,vigorouslyprotested,totheEmperorMaurice,againsttheassumptiontothetitle.Butwhilethepatriarchsusedthetitleinnoexclusivesense,theyweredetermined,astheyaredeterminedto-day,toasserttheindependenceoftheirSeeanditsequalitywiththatofRome.

EcclesiasticalindependencedidnotpreservetheEmpirefrompoliticalweakness.PhocaswassoonseentobeworsethanMaurice,andoneconspiracyafteranotherwasbegunintheHippodromeandendedbyamassacreinthestreets.TheGreenfactionintheCircuscalledtheEmperoradrunkardandamadmantohisface.Famineandpestilenceravagedthecrowdedcity,andwhenHeraclius,alreadyarenownedgeneral,broughthisfleetuptheHellespontandanchoredattheGoldenHornthecollapseofthepowerofPhocaswasimmediate,andanewEmperorwascrownedinthegreatchurchofthe"CapitaloftheWorld."ThereignofHeraclius,gallantmanthoughhewas,beganinalmostunbrokendisaster,andwhenin615JerusalemfellintothehandsofthePersiansitseemedthattheendwasathand.Inthenextyear,ashadalreadyhappenedunderPhocas,aPersianarmyencampedatChalcedon.Whennegotiationswereinvain,whenHeracliushadevenformedtheideaoftransferringtheseatofEmpirefromConstantinopletoCarthage,andhadonlyabandoneditafterhispreparationswerefaradvanced,whentheterrorandindignationofthepeopleforcedhim

totakeoathbeforethepatriarchinS.Sophiathathewouldneverleave"theQueenofCities,"atlengththecourageoftheempireawoke,thenoblessacrificedtheirwealthandthechurchestheirtreasures,thefleetutterlydestroyedthatofthePersians,andHeracliusdeliveredthecityandtheempirebyamarchasbrilliantasitwasdaring.LeadingfivethousandveteransacrossAsiaMinorandthroughthemountainshe"penetratedintotheheartofPersiaandrecalledthearmiesofthegreatkingtothedefenceoftheirbleedingcountry."Afterthreecampaignshereturnedintriumphandentered,asnoEmperorsinceTheodosiustheGreathaddone,bytheGoldenGate.

InhisabsencethirtythousandAvars,whohadsweptovertheBalkanprovinceslikeadevouringflame,brokethroughthegreatwalland

encampedundertheverywallsofthecityitself.ChurchesinthesuburbswereburnttothegroundandthefamousChurchoftheTheotokosinBlachernaewasonthepointofbeingdestroyed,whensomepaniccausedtheAvarhorsementoretire.Thedangerwastooobviousforthewarningtobeneglected,andtheSenate,whichhadrefusedwithcontumelytheoffersofthebarbarianleaders,alliesofthePersianKing,drovebacktheenemyandimmediatelyincreasedthefortificationsbyanewwall.Thissplendidbarrier,magnificentto-dayinitsruins,stretchedfromtheenclosureoutsidethepalaceofBlachernae,atthefootofthesixthhill,totheGoldenHorn.Itisflankedbythreehexagonaltowers.

Ayearlater,in627,theEmperor,whodreadedeventhesightofthe

sea,crossedtheBosphorusbyabridgeofboats,deckedwithbranchesoftreestoimitateaforest.LandingnorthofthecityhemarchedinlandandcrossedthevalleyattheheadoftheGoldenHorn--belowthe"SweetWatersofEurope"--byabridgemadebyJustiniannearlyoppositetheendofthewalls.Soalongthetriumphalwayhewent,pastthenewwallsthathaveeversincebornehisname,andenteredbytheGoldenGate,theEmperorwhohadvanquishedthePersians,savedhisempire,andbroughtbackthegreatestofallrelics,thesacredwoodofthetrueCross,whichS.Helena,themotherofConstantine,hadfoundonCalvary.


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ButHeracliuswasnottotriumphunchecked.ThefataltemptationoftheologicalstrifeconqueredeventheconquerorofthePersians,andthebeginningoftheMonothelitecontroversydatesfromthe_Ekthesis_ofSergiusthepatriarch,adocumentwhich,ifitwereintendedtomakepeace,certainlyprovoked,warthatwasnotended,thoughitsareawasdefined,bythedecisionoftheFourthGeneralCouncil,whichmetatConstantinoplein680,andcondemnedthosewhodeniedthatChristhadtwowills,humananddivine.

Thedrearyyearsofthelatterhalfoftheseventhcenturymayberapidlysummarised.Constantinoplesawthesettlementofbarbarians,SlavesandBalgars,almostatitsgates.EmperorsucceededemperorwithoutanyoneappearingwhowasworthytobetheheirofHeraclius.Atlengthin672theSaracens,whohadlongdevastatedAsia,broughtafleetuptheHellespontandbesiegedthecity.TheirtotaldefeatbyConstantineIV.,whomhispeoplenicknamedPogonatus(thebearded),wasthegreatesttriumphoftheChristianpowersagainsttheinfidel;itwaswon,itissaid,bythenewly-discovered"Greekfire,"solongtobetheterrorofthefoesoftheEmpire.ConstantinopleprovedherselfthebulwarkofEuropeagainsttheinfidel.ThenationsoftheWestsenttheirenvoystoapplaud.SixhundredyearslateranotherConstantinewastofall,whenhiscitywasatlengthcapturedbythefollowersofMohammed.

JustinianII.,thesonofConstantinePogonatus,wasagreatbuilderlikehisnamesake,whomprobablyhesoughttoimitate;butincharacterhewasfarfromresemblingthebuilderofS.Sophia.IntheinimitablephrasesofGibbon,"Thenameofatriumphantlaw-giverwasdishonouredbythevicesofaboy....Hispassionswerestrong;hisunderstandingwasfeeble;andhewasintoxicatedwithafoolishpridethathisbirthhadgivenhimthecommandofmillions,ofwhomthesmallestcommunitywouldnothavechosenhimfortheirlocalmagistrate.Hisfavouriteministersweretwobeingstheleastsusceptibleofhumansympathy,aneunuchandamonk;totheoneheabandonedapalace,totheotherthefinances;theformercorrectedtheEmperor'smotherwithascourge,thelattersuspendedthe

insolventtributaries,withtheirheadsdownwards,overaslowandsmokyfire.SincethedaysofCommodusandCaracalla,thecrueltyoftheRomanprinceshadmostcommonlybeentheeffectoftheirfear;butJustinian,whopossessedsomevigourofcharacter,enjoyedthesufferingsandbravedtherevengeofhissubjectsabouttenyears,tillthemeasurewasfullofhiscrimesandoftheirpatience."

TheattempttobanishapopulargeneralwhomhehadlongimprisonedwastheoccasionofarevoltwhichcasttheEmperorfromthethrone;andthehippodromesawagainanactoftragicvengeance,whenthetongueandnoseofthefallenCsarwereslitinthepresenceofthepeoplewhohadbornewithhimtoolong.

[Illustration:THEGOLDENHORNFROMEYB]

LetProfessorBury'ssummarycontinuethetale:--"ThetwentyyearswhichintervenedbetweenthebanishmentofJustinianin695andtheaccessionofLeotheIsaurianin717witnessedarapidsuccessionofmonarchs,allofwhomwereviolentlydeposed.IsaurianLeontiuswassucceededbyApsimar,whoadoptedthenameTiberius,andthesetworeignsoccupiedthefirsttenyears.ThenJustinianreturnedfromexile,recoveredthethrone,and'furiouslyraged'forsixyears(705-711).HewasoverthrownbyBardanes,whocalledhimself


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Philippicus;thencameArtemius,whoseimperialnamewasAnastasius;andfinallytheyears716and717sawthefallofAnastasius,thereignandfallofTheodosius,andtheaccessionofIsaurianLeo,whosestrongarmguidedtheEmpirefromwaysofanarchyintoanewpath."[10]

InthetragediesoftheseyearsConstantinopleboreitsfullshare,andnomorestrangecontrasttothesceneofhisbarbarousmutilationcouldbeimaginedthanthatwhenJustinianII.satagain,tenyearslater(705)inthehippodrome,withhisfeetonthenecksofthetwomonarchswhohadfilledhisthroneinthemeantime.Astheficklepeoplesawthe"slit-nose,"astheycalledhim,triumphantoverLeontiusandApsimartheycalledoutinthewordsofthepsalms,whichcamesoreadilytotheirlips,"Thouhasttroddenuponthe_lion_andthe_asp_:theyounglionandthedragonhastthoutroddenunderthyfeet."

Sixyearslater(711)therewasamoreterribletragedy.Justinianwasjustlydethronedandslain,andhislittleboyTiberius,thechildofhisexile,wastornfromthechurchoftheTheotokosatBlachernaeandcruellybutcheredoutsidethepalacewall.Thenextyearswerestainedbycrimesandfollieshardlylessrevoltingthanthosethathadgonebefore;therecouldbenomorebitterironythanthesinglewordwhichthehumbletax-gatherer,whowaselevatedagainsthiswilltothe

imperialthroneunderthenameofTheodosiusII.,inscribeduponhistomb----h lthwastobefoundnowherefortheempireinhisday.

Hissuccessor,LeotheIsaurian,whomtheSenateandthepatriarchofConstantinoplechosein718tobetheirlord,hadseenanadventurouslife,andwasalreadythegeneralandimperatorofthegreateasternarmy.

HisfirsttaskwastodefendthecityagainsttheSaracens.Thegreatsiegeof718,lastingtwelvemonths,failedchieflythroughhisskillandpatience.TheinvadersencampedbeforethecityinAugust717;thenameoftheirSuleimanwasonewhichwaslatertobeveryfamiliarto

theByzantines.WhenwintercameitwasoneofthosebitterseasonstowhichConstantinopleisoftensubject.Formanyweekssnowlayontheground,andthebesiegerssufferedfarmorethanthegarrison.Leodefendedthecitywithextraordinaryskill,andatlength,attherightmoment,byawellplannedsortiehescatteredtheinfidels,andofthegreathostofahundredandeightythousandmentheMohammedanhistorianssaythatonlythirtythousandescapedbacktotheEast.Nogreaterfeatwaseverperformedbythegreatempire,thebulwarkofChristendom,thanthisheroicdefenceandsplendidrepulse.

ItwasnotwhollytheworkofLeo,fortheBulgarianscamefromthenorthtohisaid,andapestilence,evenbeforethestormsoftheDardanellesdestroyedtheirfleet,causedthewithdrawalofthe

Saracenhost.Thenasanadministratorhereformedthegovernment,asalegisthereissuedandrevisedthelaws.Thegreatearthquakeof739causedtheinstitutionofanewtax,ifnotanewfinancialsystem.

"Someoftheoldestmonumentsinthecitywerethrowndownbytheshock,thestatueofConstantinetheGreat,atthegateofAttalus;thestatueandsculpturedcolumnofArcadius;thestatueofTheodosiusI.,overtheGoldenGate,andthechurchofIrene,closetoS.Sophia.Thelandwallsofthecitywerealsosubverted;andinordertorepairthefortificationsLeoincreasedthetaxesby


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one-twelfth,oramiliarisioninanomisma."

ThusProfessorBury.[11]Buttosuchacts,importantthoughtheywere,LeotheIsauriandoesnotowethefactthathisnamewillneverbeforgotteninthehistoryoftheEmpirewhichheruled.ItwashewhobegantheattackupontheancientcustomoftheEasternchurcheswhichgaverisetothelongandbittericonoclasticcontroversy.ItwereidleforaWesternaccustomedtotheseverityandrestraintofEnglishworshiptopretendtojudgewithoutpartialitytheconflictwhicharoseintheeighthcenturyamongtheEasterns.ToEnglishmenitcomeswithashockofsurprisetolearnthattheyareregardedasRomanists,ashasrecentlyhappened,becausetheydonotuseincenseineverypublicserviceoftheChurch,accordingtotheimmemorialusageoftheEast.Similarlyitiswithdiffidencethatwelearntorecognisethereverencepaidtoicons,picturesofsacredthings,asatrueandhelpfulpartofOrientaldevotion.Ittends,wethink,tosuperstition;asmuchperhapsasourgrandfathers'prideintheblackgownofthepreacher,orthecuriouscustomswhichledinEnglandtothe"plethoricSundayafternoon."LeotheIsaurian,andafterhimhisson,ConstantineV.(nicknamedCopronymusbyhispeople,probably"fromhisdevotiontothestables"),ofwhomthelattercertainlyhadnosenseoftherealityofreligion,e

constantinople by william holden hutton

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