Byzantine Constantinople, the walls of the city and adjoining historical sites — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Byzantine Constantinople, the walls of the city and adjoining historical sites
John Stuart Mill · en
Evidently the task proved difficult, for the numerous inscriptions which
celebrate the achievement bear dates extending from 1433-1444, and show
that the work proceeded slowly, and with frequent interruptions, due,
doubtless, to the low state of the Imperial exchequer. The letters of
the legends are incised on small marble slabs, and are filled with lead,
exhibiting poor workmanship both in form and arrangement.
One of the inscriptions was placed on the outer tower nearest the Sea of
Marmora:[418]
ΙΩΑΝ
ΧΩ ΑΥΤΟ
ΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ
ΠΑΛΑΙΟΛΟΓΟΥ.
“(Tower) of John Palæologus, Emperor in Christ.”
A similar inscription is on the second outer tower north of the Golden
Gate:
[Illustration: “(Tower) of John Palæeologus, Emperor in Christ; in the
year 1444.”]
Another is on the fifth outer tower north of the Second Military Gate:
ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΕΝ ΧΩ
ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟ
ΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΛΑΙΟΛΟΓΟΥ
ΚΑΤΑ ΜÉΝΑ
ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ
ΜΗ ΕΤΟΥΣ (6948).
“(Tower) of John Palæologus, Emperor in Christ; in the month of June
of the year 1440.”
On the twelfth tower north of the same gate is a fractured slab which
bore the legend:
† ΙΩ ΕΝ ΧΩ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΛΑΙΟΛΟΓΟΥ
ΚΑΤΑ ΜΗΝΑ ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΜΒ ΕΤΟΥΣ (6942).
“(Tower) of John Palæologus, Emperor in Christ; in the month of
April of the year 1434.”
Traces of similar inscriptions appear on the first and second towers
north of the Gate of the Pegè; while on the third tower in that
direction are the words:
ΙΩΟΥ ΕΝ ΧΩ ΑΥΤΟ
ΚΡΟΤΟΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΛΑΙΟΛΟΓΟΥ ΚΑΤΑ ΜΗΝΑ ΙΑΝΟΥ
ΑΡΙΟΝ ΤΟΥ
ΜΖ ΕΤΟΥΣ (6947).
“(Tower) of John Palæologus, Emperor in Christ; in the month of
January of the year 1839.”
An inscription to the same effect stood on the first and the second
towers north of the Third Military Gate. On the third tower beyond the
entrance was the legend:
ΙΩ ΕΝ ΧΩ
ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑ
ΤΟΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΛΑΙ
ΛΟΓΟΥ ΚΑΤΑ ΜΗΝΑ ΟΚΤΟΒ
ΤΟΥ Μ ΕΤΟΥΣ (6946).
“(Tower) of John Palæologus, Emperor in Christ; in the month of
October of the year 1438.”
On the outer tower, now demolished, opposite the Porta of the Pempton,
was an inscription from which we learn the great extent of the repairs
undertaken in this reign.[419] That work comprised the whole of the
Outer Wall:
† ΑΝΕΚΑΙΝΙΣΕ ΤΟ ΚΑΣΤΡΟΝ ΟΛΟΝ ΙΩ ΧΩ ΑΥ
ΤΟΚΡΑΤΩΡ Ο ΠΑΛΑΙΟΛΟΓΟΣ ΕΤΕΙ ΜΑ (6941).
“John Palæolous, Emperor in Christ, restored the whole
fortification; in the year 1433.”