_Zonaras_ mentions the same Thing, tho’ in different Words. He placed, says he, meaning _Constantine_, the round _Porphyry_ Pillar which he brought from _Rome_, in the _Forum_, paved with square Stones. For this Reason it was called by the _Greeks_ Πλακότον. At the Top of the Pillar he placed his own Statue in Brass, which for its Largeness, and the Exquisiteness of its Work, was scarce to be matched in the whole World, as being finished to the Life, by an antient and eminent Statuary. It was thought that it was originally designed for _Apollo_, and brought from _Troy_; but _Constantine_ gave it his own Name, making some Alteration by fattening some of those Nails in the Head of it, with which the _Jews_ crucified the _Lord of Life_. This Statue continued standing upon the Pillar till very lately, when in the Reign of _Alexius Comnenus_, it was thrown down by an Earthquake, and crushed some People to Death. _Nicephorus_ in the Fourth Book, _Chap._ 8. of his _Eccles. Hist._ gives a better Description of it. He built, says he, a large _Porphyry_ Pillar, upon which he placed his own Statue, holding in his right Hand a Globe, with a Cross fixed upon it. By this Symbol he intimated, that by Virtue of that invincible Trophy the Cross, the whole Earth and Sea was subject to his Power. _Gyllius_ writes, that this Pillar was made of eight Stones, and that at the Joints of it, it was covered round with Wreathed Laurels made of Brass, so that you could not perceive where it was cemented; but that upon the Removal of the Brass-work, you might easily discern that it was a jointed Structure, and that the Number of the Stones might be plainly seen. This Pillar is eighty six Foot high, besides the _Basis_, the Steps, and the Pedestal. _The Senate-House, in the same Place._] This Building stood on the North Side of the _Forum_ of _Constantine_. The Senators and principal Men of the City used to assemble here upon publick Affairs, and the Emperor took upon him in this Place the Consular Habit. It was curiously beautified with Brass, and _Porphyry_ Marble. _Zonaras_, and _Cedrinus_ tell us, that in the Reign of _Leo_ the _Great_, it was destroyed by Fire. _The_ Neorian _Port_.] This was the Haven, or Dock, where they built their shipping, from whence the Gate, which hands near it, is called by some Writers, the Gate of the _Neorium_; but by _Zonaras_, and _Cedrinus_, as will appear in my Notes upon the twelfth _Ward_, it was called _Porta Aurea_, the gilded or beautiful Gate. Some have given it the Name of the Imperial Gate, because it joins to the Palace. _The Stairs_ of Sycæna.] These are the Stairs upon the Shore, from whence you go off to a neighbouring Island called _Sycæna_ but which at present is called _Pera_. In the Creek here, there are many Thousand small Boats, more in Number than at _Venice_. They are generally called Ferry-boats, because they _carry_ their Fare to and fro’ across the River.