CONSTANTINOPLE. ' i;i 
eight. The capitals of these columns are part- chap. 
IV 
]y wrought after the Corinthian order, and . 
partly left unfinished. Over the abacus of the 
capital of every column is placed a great stone, 
which seems like another larger abacus, and 
supports four arches. There are abundance 
of wells sunk into this Cisterna. I have seen, 
when it was filling, in the winter-time, a large 
stream of water, falling from a great pipe, 
with a mighty noise, until the columns up to 
the middle of their capitals have been covered 
with water. This Cisterna stands (versus 
occidentem cestivum) westward of the Church 
of St. Sophia; being distant from it about 
eighty Roman paces." 
Some remains of a large antique structure 
may be seen on the side of the Hippodrome 
which is opposite to the Mosque of Sultan 
Achmed; and it has been conjectured that 
this was the Palace of the Emperors. Possibly 
it may have been a part of the Basilica. 
The Imperial Palace, according to Zonaras, 
cited by Gyllius\ stood in the Basilica. 
(2) " DoMLS REGiA, inquit Zonaras, fuit in nuncupata Basilica 
prope .^irarias officinas-" Cyllio, lib. ii. De Constant. Topog. cap. 20. 
