_Procopius_ writes, that the Church of the Martyr _Thecla_ stood near this Port. Some modern Historians tell us, that _Belisarius_ set Sail from this Port, when he went to Battel against the _Vandals_. But I cannot conceive what Reason they have for that Opinion, unless it be from some Words of _Procopius_, who says, that _Justinian_ commanded the Ship, in which the General sail’d, to be brought near the Palace, and that there _Epiphanius_ Bishop of _Constantinople_, as was customary upon such Occasions, put up a Prayer for his Success, and that then _Belisarius_ went off with his Wife _Antonina_. There were indeed some Palaces near this Port, but there were also other Palaces near the Bay, which was full of Havens, from whence, at a little Distance, stood the House of _Belisarius_. _Suidas_ confirms it, that _Anastasius_ fortify’d this Harbour, and made a Pier there; and _Zonaras_ attests, that _Justin_ built there some Palaces, and call’d them the Palaces of _Sophia_, from the Name of his Consort, whom he passionately loved. Many _Historians_ are of Opinion, that these Palaces stood near the Port of _Sophia_; but I am induced to think, both from Reason and the Authority of learned Men, that it was not so. For _Zonaras_, among others, writes, that _Justin_ built these Palaces against the City, and _Agathius_, a much ancienter Writer, and who was living at the Time they were built, wrote the following Inscription, which was fix’d upon them. From whence the Reader may observe, that they were not seated near the _Propontis_, adjoining to which was the Port of _Sophia_, but opposite to the City, near the Shore of the _Bosporus_, where the Continent is divided into two Parts. _Agathius Scholasticus_ upon the Palaces of SOPHIA. _Where the streight Sea divides the Continents, These gilded Palaces the Emperor built For his dear Consort, fair_ Sophia_’s Use. The Wonders of thy Beauty, potent_ Rome, Europe, _and_ Asia, _half th’ extended World With Pleasure view, and silently admire_.