it the Length of the first Hill, which is bounded on three Sides by the Sea. I find not only in many _Historians_, but also in _Suidas_ the _Grammarian_, that the Statue of _Arcadia_, the second Wife of _Zeno_, stood in the _Arcadian_ Baths, near the Places call’d the _Bathra_, from the Stairs by which you ascend them. I find also in that Place two Statues of _Verina_, the Wife of _Leo Magnus_, one in the Northern Part of the City, near the Church of St. _Agathonicus_ beyond the _Bathra_, the other on that Side of the City where stands the Church of St. _Barbara_: The first was erected by _Leo_ in his Life-time, the second since his Death; when upon the Flight of _Zeno_, his Son in Law, his Brother _Basiliscus_ was crown’d Emperor in his stead. I have reason to believe, when I consider the natural Situation and Order in which the _Wards_ stand, that Part of the second _Ward_ was inclos’d in the Palace: For this _Ward_, according to the ancient Description of it, at its first Entrance stood upon a Level; at some Distance it rose by a gentle Ascent, and at last, with very deep Precipices, fell into the Sea. I am of Opinion, that these Precipices descended on that Spot of Ground where the Kitchens, and _Bagnio’s_ of the _Grand Seignor_ stand at present. But where-ever they might stand in ancient Times, all the steep Places that were formerly enclosed within the _Palace_ are now levell’d, where now there stands an old Church commonly call’d _Sophia the Less_. Some of the most ancient Inhabitants affirm it to be the Church of St. _Irene_, which _Socrates_ tells us was built by _Constantine the Great_. I take it to be the same Church which the People of the second _Ward_ call the _Old Church_. I have Reason also to believe, that the other Part of the second _Ward_ stood without the _Palace_, from the Situation of the _Churches_ and _Bagnio’s_, which the second _Ward_ encloses. For _Zonaras_ and other Historians assert, that the Church, which formerly went by the Name of the _Great Church_, was afterwards call’d the Church of St. _Sophia_, which every body knows stood without the Enclosure of the Palace. I have reason to conjecture also, that the Palace of _Maximinus_ formerly stood within the Verge of the Court, from the following Inscription made in its Commendation by _Cyrus_, once a _Consul_ and Nobleman of _Rome_. _Great_ Maximinus _rais’d this noble Pile; From hence to Lengths unmeasurable I view Unbounded Prospects; for behind me stand The City, and_ Bithynia’s _beauteous Towns. The swelling Ocean rolls its Waves before me; When near my Doors, it moves but slowly on, Delighted to behold the lovely Landscape Of blooming Trees, gay Seats, and floating Ships, The City’s rising Towers, and pleasing Site._ CHAP. III. _Of the Church of St._ Sophia.