eceived an accession of waters from the tribute of those
immortal rivulets the Simois and Scamander. The Grecian camp
had stretched twelve miles along the shore from the Sigaean
to the Rhaetian promontory, and the flanks of the army were
guarded by the bravest chiefs who fought under the banners
of Agamemnon. The first of these promontories was occupied
by Achilles with his invincible Myrmidons, and the dauntless
Ajax pitched his tents on the other. After Ajax had fallen a
sacrifice to his disappointed pride and to the ingratitude
of the Greeks, his sepulchre was erected on the ground where
he had defended the navy against the rage of Jove and
Hector, and the citizens of the rising town of Rhaetium
celebrated his memory with divine honours. Before
Constantine gave a just preference to the situation of
Byzantium he had conceived the design of erecting the seat
of empire on this celebrated spot, from whence the Romans
derived their fabulous origin. The extensive plain which
lies below ancient Troy towards the Rhaetian promontory was
first chosen for his new capital; and though the undertaking
was soon relinquished, the stately remains of unfinished
walls and towers attracted the notice of all who sailed
through the straits of the Hellespont.

"We are at present qualified to view the advantageous
position of Constantinople; which appears to have been
formed by nature for the centre and capital of a great
monarchy. Situated in the forty-first degree of latitude,
the imperial city commanded from her seven hills the
opposite shores of Europe and Asia; the climate was healthy
and temperate; the soil fertile; the harbour secure and
capacious; and the approach on the side of the continent was
of small extent and easy defence. The Bosphorus and the
Hellespont may be considered as the two gates of
Constantinople, and the prince who possesses those important
passages could always shut them against a naval enemy and
open them to the fleets of commerce. The preservation of the
eastern provinces may in some degree be ascribed to the
policy of Constantine, as the barbarians of the Euxine, who
in the preceding age had poured their armaments into the
heart of the Mediterranean, soon desisted from the exercise
of piracy, and despaired of forcin