ΛΟΥΚ ΝΟΤΑΡΑΣ ΔΙΕΡΜΗΝΕΥΤΟΥ “Of Luke Notaras, the Interpreter.” This was Lucas Notaras, who subsequently became Grand Duke, and was the most prominent citizen of Constantinople in the catastrophe of 1453. When he executed these repairs he held the office of interpreter, or dragoman, under the Emperor John VII. Palæologus, in carrying on negotiations with Sultan Murad.[653] The office had, naturally, come into existence owing to the frequent diplomatic intercourse between the Byzantine Government and foreigners, and was of great importance and distinction. In the reign of Manuel Palæeologus it had been held by Nicholas Notaras, the father of Lucas Notaras.[654] The second inscription stood on a tower between Koum Kapoussi and Yeni Kapou. It commemorated repairs executed in 1448 at the expense of the celebrated George Brankovitch, Despot of Servia. † ΑΝΕΚΕΝΙΣ ΘΗΝ ΟΥΤΟΣ Ο ΠΥΡΓΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΡΤΙΝΑ Υ ΠΟ ΓΕΩΡΓΙ ΟΥ ΔΕΣΠΟΤΟΥ ΣΕΡΒΙΑΣ ... + ΕΝ ΕΤΕΙ ϚϠ ΥϚ “This tower and curtain-wall were restored by George, Despot of Servia; in the year 6956 (1448).” It will be remembered that some of the funds furnished by the Servian king were employed in repairs on the land walls.[655] Footnote 618: _La Conquête de Constantinople_, c. 52: “Et il y en eut assez qui conseillièrent qu’on allât de l’autre côté de la ville, du côté où elle n’était pas si fortifiée. Et les Vénitiens, qui connaissaient mieux la mer, dirent que s’ils y allaient, le courant de l’eau les emmènerait en aval du Bras; et ils ne pourraient arrêter leurs vaisseaux.” Compare with this Pachymeres, vol. i. p. 365. Footnote 619: Theophanes, pp. 607, 608. Footnote 620: Cedrenus, vol. ii p. 82. Footnote 621: Leo Gram., p. 241. Footnote 622: See Map of Byzantine Constantinople. Footnote 623: See below, p. 263. Footnote 624: Patriarch Constantius, _Ancient and Modern Constantinople_, p. 21. The inscription was in the same terms as that in honour of Constantine on the Porta Rhousiou. See above, p. 47. Footnote 625: Anonymus, iii. p. 56. Footnote 626: Theophanes, p. 589. Footnote 627: Theophanes, pp. 670, 671; Nicephorus Patriarcha CP., pp. 76, 77. Footnote 628: Genesius, p. 75; Cedrenus, vol. ii. p. 107. Footnote 629: Manasses, 4824-4829. Footnote 630: See illustration facing p. 248. Footnote 631: Vol. i. numbers 8, 10, 19. Footnote 632: Von Hammer, _Constantinopolis und Bosporos_, vol. i. appendix, numbers 23, 24. These inscriptions are noted also by Tournefort, _Voyage du Levant_, lettre xi. p. 180. Footnote 633: