e singular and permanent nature, which ought not entirely to be
overlooked. As often as the birthday of the city returned, the statue of
Constantine, framed by his order, of gilt wood, and bearing in its right
hand a small image of the genius of the place, was erected on a
triumphal car. The guards, carrying white tapers, and clothed in their
richest apparel, accompanied the solemn procession as it moved through
the Hippodrome. When it was opposite to the throne of the reigning
Emperor, he rose from his seat, and with grateful reverence adored the
memory of his predecessor. At the festival of the dedication, an edict,
engraved on a column of marble, bestowed the title of "Second or New
Rome" on the city of Constantine. But the name of Constantinople has
prevailed over that honorable epithet; and after the revolution of
fourteen centuries, still perpetuates the fame of its author.

FOOTNOTES:

[50] The navigator Byzas, who was styled the Son of Neptune, founded the
city 656 years before the Christian era. His followers were drawn from
Argos and Megara. Byzantium was afterward rebuilt and fortified by the
Spartan general Pausanias.

[51] The practical illustration of the possibility of Leander's feat by
Lord Byron is too well known to need particular reference.

[52] The accurate Thevenot walked in one hour and three-quarters round
two of the sides of the triangle, from the Kiosk of the Seraglio to the
seven towers. D'Anville examines with care, and receives with
confidence, this decisive testimony, which gives a circumference of ten
or twelve miles. The extravagant computation of Tournefort of
thirty-four or thirty miles, without including Scutari, is a strange
departure from his usual character.

[53] On this column Constantine, with singular shamelessness, placed his
own statue with the attributes of Apollo and Christ. He substituted the
nails of the Passion for the rays of the sun. Constantine was replaced
by the "great and religious" Julian; Julian, by Theodosius. A.D. 1412
the keystone was loosened by an earthquake. The statue fell in the reign
of Alexius Comnenus, and was replaced by the cross. The palladium was
said to be buried under the pillar.

[54] Zeuxippus was an epithet of Jupiter, and the baths were a part of
old Byzantium.

JULIAN THE APOSTATE BECOMES EMPEROR OF ROME

A.D. 360

EDWARD GIBBON

The great reign of Constantine was ended. The new capital,
Constantinople, which afte