Flesh-Market was the same with the _Augusteum_. It was so called, says _Suidas_, because the _Curatores_, and _Senastophori_ of the _Wards_, used every Year, on the _Ides_ of _October_, to dance in Honour of _Augustus_, or because the Statues of _Constantine_, and _Helena_ his Mother, were erected there. _A_ Basilica.] This was one of the most magnificent _Basilica’s_ in the World, which _Cedrinus_ takes Notice of, when he tells us, that a Fire began at the Middle of the _Chalcopratia_, which consumed both the _Portico’s_ before mentioned, all the neighbouring Buildings, and the _Basilica_, which contained a Collection of a Hundred and twenty Thousand Books. There was a Curiosity very particular in this Library, which was the Gut of a Dragon, on which were inscribed in Golden Characters, the _Iliads_ and _Odysses_ of _Homer_, with the _History_ of the Atchievements of other _Heroes_. The Roof of this _Basilica_ was supported with many Ranges of Pillars, as we see at present in some Churches, which are many of them built after the same Manner with the _Basilica’s_. One of these _Basilica’s_ is described by _Virgil_, in his seventh _Æneid_. _A stately Palace in the City’s Height, Sublime upon a hundred Pillars stood, With gloomy Groves, religiously obscure_, Laurentian Picus’ _Palace; where the Kings, The first Inauguration of their Sway, The Sceptres, and the regal_ Fasces _took_. TRAPP’S Virg. In these _Basilica’s_ they used to plead, and admit to Audience publick Ambassadors; and, indeed, most of the publick Affairs were transacted here. This I am speaking of was finely gilded, and made of a delicate Marble. _Theodosius_, in his Letters Mandatory to _Cyrus_, _Prefect_ of the City, means this _Basilica_, in the following Words: _We will and command, that the_ Basilica _gilt with Gold, and shining with Marble, be no Ways shaded or darkened with Statues, or Pictures placed before it_. I believe _Zonaras_ understands the same Building in his _Leo Magnus_, where he says, that the Building called the _Domus Maxima_, in which the Senate, and some of the principal Citizens met to deliberate upon publick Affairs, was burnt down; nay, that the Emperor himself came thither in solemn Pomp, when he entered upon his Consular Dignity. It was a Work of surprising Beauty and Splendor. _Justinian_ tells us in his 81st _Novel_, that the inferior Judges used to sit there in small Apartments. _Suidas_ writes, that this _Basilica_ stood behind the _Miliarium_, and that there was placed in it, amidst several others, a golden Statue. Among other Curiosities here, there is an Elephant, cast at the Expence of _Severus_, on the Account of a certain Banker, who killed his Keeper, and gave his Body to be devoured by a wild Beast; which the Elephant seeing, in a Rage slew the Banker. _Severus_, to preserve the Memory of the Fact, ordered the Elephant and his Keeper to be cast in Brass, and both the Figures, in the Consulship