slopes of the first hill, whereon was placed the citadel of Byzantium. Rounding it to the east we soon approach a tall Corinthian column of white marble, bearing on its summit a statue of Byzas,[1] a memorial of the victories by land and sea of Venerianus or other Byzantine generals over the marauding Goths about 266.[2] "Fortune has returned to the city," so runs the inscription on the base, "since the Goths have been overcome."[3] But these events have now passed into oblivion, and the vicinity is given up to low taverns, whilst in the popular mind the monument is associated with the more signal exploits of Pompey the Great in his Mithridatic wars.[4] To the south of this pillar, and close to the eastern wall, is situated the Imperial arsenal or Manganon, founded by Constantine, a repertory of weapons of all descriptions, and of machines used in the attack and defence of fortifications.[5] It contains, besides, a military library.[6]
Passing the Cynegium, a deserted amphitheatre of pre-*
- ↑ Niceph. Greg., viii, 5. Merely a tradition in his time; it is commonly called the column of Theodosius. Grosvenor absurdly places on it an equestrian statue of Theodosius I, with an epigram which belongs to another place; op. cit., p. 386; see infra. Founded on a rock, it has withstood the commotions of seventeen centuries.
- ↑ Hist. August., sb. Gallieno. Much more likely than Claudius II; everything points to its being a local civic memorial. "Pugnatum est circa Pontum, et a Byzantiis ducibus victi sunt barbari. Veneriano item duce, navali bello Gothi superati sunt, tum ipse militari periit morte" (c. 266).
- ↑ "Fortunae reduci ob devictos Gothos." The Goths had been in possession of Byzantium and the adjacent country on both sides of the water; G. Syncell., i, p. 717, etc.; Zosimus, i, 34, etc. There was a temple to Gallienus at Byzantium; Codinus, p. 179. He was evidently popular here.
- ↑ Jn. Lydus, De Mens., iii, 48.
- ↑ Codin., p. 74; Glycas, iv, p. 468.
- ↑ Ibid.
