that there were other Houses of Entrance into the Palace, though in the Beginning of this Chapter he mentions only the _Chalca_. It is my Opinion, that the House where the Emperor dwelt was first call’d the _Basilica_; that afterwards, when the great Houses, where the Merchants assembled for Trade and Commerce, were call’d _Basilica_, the Emperor’s House was call’d Βασιλεῖον; and, at last, the Palace. If there was any Difference between the _Basilica_ and the Palace, yet the _Basilica_ was either a part of the Palace, or built near to it, as the Reader may see in the _Ancient Description of the Wards_, which places the _Augusteum_ and the _Basilica_ in the same _Ward_. As this _Treatise_ takes no Notice in this _Ward_ either of a Palace or a Court, but only of a _Basilica_, it seems to intimate, that the _Basilica_ was the Palace itself. But whether the _Basilica_ was within or without the Palace, it is certain it was near it, because they were both destroy’d by Fire, by reason of their Vicinity to one another; and the Rules of _Architecture_ prescribe, that it be built near a Market, which is always near the Palace; and that it be built warm, that the Merchants may manage their Business there in Winter Time, without any Molestation from the Severity of the Weather. _Julius Pollux_ is of the same Opinion, who says, That the _Stadia_, the _Hippodrom_, the _Senate-House_, the _Forum_, the Court, the Imperial _Portico_, and the _Tribunal_, ought to stand near the Theatre. _Cedrinus_ writes, that the beautiful Structure of the _Chalca_ was built by one _Ætherius_ a famous Architect, by the Command of the wife of Emperor _Anastasius_, as appears from a _Greek_ Inscription upon it, which runs thus: Upon a Building in the Palace, call’d _Chalca_. _I am the Palace of fam’d_ Anastasius _The Scourge of Tyrants; none surpasses me, In Beauty, and in wonderful Contrivance. When the Surveyors view’d my mighty Bulk, My Height, my Length, and my extensive Breadth; ’Twas thought beyond the Reach of human Power To roof at Top my widely gaping Walls. But young_ Ætherius, _ancient in his Art, This Building finish’d, and an Offering made To our good Emperor. Not_ Italy, _with all its Glory shews A Structure so magnificent and great; Not the proud_ Capitol _of ancient_ Rome _With all its gilded Roofs can rival me. The costly Galleries of_ Pergamus, Ruffinus’ _Walks, and stately_ Portico’s _Crowded with Art, and marbled Images Submit to my superior Workmanship. Not the fam’d Temple, which at_ Cyzico, _By_ Adrian _built, stands on a lofty Rock, Nor_ Ægypt’s _costly_ Pyramids, _nor at_ Rhodes _The mighty_ Colosse _equal me in Greatness. When my good Emperor, in hostile Manner, Quell’d the_ Isaurian _Faction, thus he rais’d me In Honour of_ Aurora, _and the Winds_.