The _Brazen Bull_ was plac’d in the eleventh _Ward_. In what Part of that _Ward_ it was plac’d might easily be conjectur’d from a large _Cistern_, which, the modern Historians write, was built near it by _Nicetas_ an Eunuch, in the Reign of the Emperor _Theophilus_, if that _Cistern_ was now in being. If the _Bull_ itself was remaining, or the _Forum_ where it stood, I had heard something of it. _Tzetzes_ in his History writes, that the _Forum Bovis_ was so call’d from the _Brazen Bull_. This _Bull_ is more particularly describ’d by _Zonaras_, who says, _that the Body of the unhappy Tyrant_ Phocas _was burnt at a Place call’d_ Bos, _where there was a Stove, or Fire-Place set up in the Form of a Bull, which was brought from_ Troy. _Cedrinus_ relates, that _Antypas_ the _Martyr_ was burnt to Death in this _Bull_. It is a plain Instance of the Cruelty and Tyranny of some of the Emperors of _Constantinople_, that they us’d to punish Malefactors with a Death so tormenting. The like Example of Barbarity we have in _Perillus_, or rather _Perilaus_, a Brazier of _Attica_, who made a _Brazen Bull_ for the Execution of _Phalaris_, but first suffer’d in it himself. This Piece of Workmanship, says _Pliny_, was preserv’d a long Time, that those, who saw it, might curse the Hand that made it. I am more inclin’d to believe, that this _Bull_ was brought from _Sicily_, or _Italy_. I enquir’d after it, but could hear nothing of it, altho’ the Inhabitants are not ignorant, that there was formerly such a _Bull_ at _Constantinople_, and are us’d to boast of a Prophecy, which has been handed down to them from their Ancestors, concerning such a _Bull_, and lastly, altho’ they believe their own Interpretation of it to be more agreeable to Truth than that of _Tzetzes_, who explain’d it above three hundred and seventy Years ago in the following Manner. There was a mighty Talk of a Prophecy at _Constantinople_ some Time ago, which run in these Words: Βοῦς βοήσει τε, καὶ Ταῦρος δὲ θρηνήσει, _Bos mugiet, Taurus lugebit_. The People conjectur’d from hence, says he, that great Calamities should befall the City, that they should be perplex’d with amazing Fears, that an innumerable Army of _Germans_, and other Nations, should come against the Town; and that they should be all terrify’d and affrighted with strange Dreams, by Reason of the Plundering and Destruction of their City. Upon which, the Wife of the _Grand Hetæriarch_ being in great Consternation, and her Fears and Fancies being encreas’d by some fabulous Verses made upon the Occasion, she imagin’d she dream’d of all that had been the Town-Talk for some Time before. She dream’d that _Constantinople_ was wall’d round with Brick, that near the _Forum Bovis_, or the Place call’d _Bos_, she saw infinite Numbers of arm’d Forces drawn up in Battle array, and that hard by the Street call’d _Taurus_, she saw a Man in a melancholly Posture expressing his Grief in a mournful Tone, and beating his Breast.