upon some Party Quarrels among the Chariot-Racers (who were therefore call’d _Factions_) was also in Danger at _Rome_, upon the like Account. The Commonwealth both of _Rome_ and _Constantinople_ have not only been often harrass’d with such Commotions, but the Emperors themselves have often fallen into the greatest Danger of losing their Government by them. But all the Diversions of the _Circo_ are now ceased. I was concern’d to see it despoil’d of all its Ornaments, though the _Turks_ of late have begun to build there again. I was the more concern’d, because, by looking casually upon a Medal I had then in my Hand, it put me in mind of _Belisarius_ triumphing in the _Hippodrom_, after his Victory over the King of the _Vandals_, as also of the Disgrace and Poverty, notwithstanding his Bravery and Courage, he afterwards fell into by the Jealousy of the Emperor. On one Side of it was stamp’d the triumphant Reception of _Belisarius_, and on the other this Image, with this Inscription, _Gloria Romanorum Belisarius_. _Procopius_ writes, That there was a Gate in the _Hippodrom_ call’d the _Cochlia_, because it had winding Stairs within it. There was also a Passage, through which they went to their Burial-Ground. The same Writer tells us, that in the same Place there was a _Portico_ call’d _Venetia_, from the _Companies_ or _Factions_ of Chariot-Racers who used to assemble there, and who distinguish’d themselves from other _Factions_ or _Companies_, by a _Sky-colour’d_ Garment, which was called so from the _Venetians_, a People that particularly affected that Colour. ’Tis very probable, that the _Prasin Faction_ had also a _Portico_ here. These were another Company of Charioteers, and distinguish’d themselves by a _green_ Livery. The Word _Prasina_ being derived from πράσον in the _Greek_, which signifies a _Leek_. Nor is it unlikely, that there were other Companies with Liveries of other Colours, who were not promiscuously crowded together, but seated in their own Apartments in the _Portico’s_, to see the Races. CHAP. XIV. _Of the Church of_ Bacchus, _the Court of_ Hormisda, _and the House of_ Justinian. It is observable from the Situation of the Church of _Bacchus_ and _Sergius_, now standing on the Plain between the _Propontis_ and the _Hippodrom_, that the Imperial Palace, and the House _Justinian_ lived in, before he was Emperor, stood near it. _Procopius_ writes, that _Justinian_ built a Church, and dedicated it to St. _Peter_ and St. _Paul_. It stood near the Imperial Court, where formerly had stood a Palace built by _Hormisda_. This, _Justinian_ made a Mansion-house for himself, that the Beauty and Elegancy of its Building might be an Ornament to the Palace.