The Use of Spolia in Byzantine Cisterns
Unfinished and Reused Capitals in Cisterns
In many Byzantine cisterns, archaeologists have discovered a wide range of unfinished column capitals, some damaged and some still...
Reconsidering the Use of Spolia in Byzantine Constantinople
What Is Spolia and Why Was It Used?
In Byzantine Constantinople, the use of spolia—that is, recycled architectural elements from older buildings—became very common. This...
Constant Watch from Soldiers
Throughout the afternoon, the soldiers kept a constant watch on me. Even though I had four mounted horsemen with me, I was always seen...
Getting the Escort Ready
I sent a message to the Vali, reminding him of his promise to provide me with an escort. I told him that I planned...
Trying to Get Horses and Travel Plans
I politely ignored all the advice about returning by train, mentioning that I had heard a lot about the beautiful scenery. Since it would...
Justin was acclaimed
Justin was acclaimed in a raucous scene—the new emperor came away with a split lip from a scuffle with the scholares—and was carried off...
Gaining the throne
A proclamation might follow, or the welcoming of an ambassador. At the end, the emperor would rise and leave, and then the dignitaries would...
the palace were the private quarters
Deep inside the palace were the private quarters, the bedchamber or cubiculum of the emperor and a separate one for the empress—each, of course,...
Lovely pillared gallery
The main structure was in the form of a somewhat irregular quadrangle, whose east and west sides were over seven hundred feet long, the...
From Arles to Treves
The second child of Constantine and Fausta was born soon JL after they moved from Arles to Treves. It was a girl and though...
