Byzantine Constantinople, the walls of the city and adjoining historical sites
John Stuart Mill · en
Arrangements had been made for holding a conference between the two
sovereigns at a short distance to the west of the Heraclian Wall, on the
explicit understanding that all persons present were to attend unarmed;
so little confidence had the two parties in each other. But in flagrant
breach of this agreement, Leo placed three bowmen in ambush near the
place of meeting, with orders to shoot at the Bulgarian king, upon a
preconcerted signal. In due time Crum arrived; but he had scarcely
dismounted from his horse when his suspicions of a plot were aroused,
and, springing into his saddle, he galloped back towards his camp. The
arrows of the soldiers in ambush flew after him, wounding him although
he escaped with his life.
The Byzantine historian who records the incident explains the failure of
the plot as a Divine punishment upon the sins of his countrymen.[567]
Crum saw the dastardly act in a different light, and, vowing vengeance,
withdrew to Bulgaria to prepare for another war. He died before he could
carry out his intention, but meanwhile Leo had put himself in readiness
for the expected attack by constructing a new wall and a broad moat in
front of the Wall of Heraclius.
The Wall of Leo stands 77 feet to the west of the Wall of Heraclius,
running parallel to it for some 260 feet, after which it turns to join
the walls along the Golden Horn. Its parapet-walk was supported upon
arches, which served at the same time to buttress the wall itself, a
comparatively slight structure about 8 feet thick. With the view of
increasing the wall’s capacity for defence, it was flanked by four small
towers, while its lower portion was pierced by numerous loopholes. Two
of the towers were on the side facing the Golden Horn, and the other two
guarded the extremities of the side looking towards the country on the
west. The latter towers projected inwards from the rear of the wall, and
between them was a gateway corresponding to the Heraclian Gate of
Blachernæ.
The citadel formed by the Walls of Heraclius and Leo was designated the
Brachionion of Blachernæ (τὸ Βραχιόνιον τῶν Βλαχερνῶν).[568] Subsequent
to the Turkish Conquest it was named after the five more conspicuous
towers which guarded the enclosure, the Pentapyrgion,[569] on the
analogy of the Heptapyrgion, or Castle of Severn Towers (Yedi Koulè) at
the southern end of the land walls.
Near the southern end of the wall, where it has evidently undergone
repair, two inscriptions are found. One is in honour of Michael II. and
Theophilus, the great Emperors:
ΜΙΧΑΗΛ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΦΙΛΟΥ ΜΕΤΑ ... Ν ΒΑΣΙ....