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264 THE DECLINE AND FALL [Chap, xl Kiches Churches and pala- ces by the ambitious zeal of the magistrates of Ephesus : both are admirable by their size and beauty, but every order of archi- tecture disclaims their fantastic capitals. A variety of orna- ments and figures was curiously expressed in mosaic ; and the images of Christ, of the Virgin, of saints, and of angels, which have been defaced by Turkish fanaticism, were dangerously exposed to the superstition of the Greeks. According to the sanctity of each object, the precious metals were distributed in thin leaves or in solid masses. The balustrade of the choir, the capitals of the pillars, the ornaments of the doors and galleries, were of gilt bronze ; the spectator was dazzled by the glittering aspect of the cupola ; the sanctuary contained forty thousand pounds weight of silver ; and the holy vases and vest- ments of the altar were of the purest gold, enriched with in- estimable gems. Before the structure of the church had risen two cubits above the ground, forty-five thousand two hundred pounds were already consumed ; and the whole expense amounted to three hundred and twenty thousand : each reader according to the measure of his belief, may estimate their value either in gold or silver ; but the sum of one million sterling is the result of the lowest computation. A magnificent temple is a laudable monument of national taste and religion, and the enthusiast who entered the dome of St. Sophia might be tempted to suppose that it was the residence, or even the workmanship, of the Deity. Yet how dull is the artifice, how insignificant is the labour, if it be compared with the forma- tion of the vilest insect that crawls upon the surface of the temple ! So minute a description of an edifice which time has re- spected may attest the truth, and excuse the relation, of the innumerable works, both in the capital and provinces, which Justinian constructed on a smaller scale and less durable foun- dations. 106 In Constantinople alone, and the adjacent suburbs, he dedicated twenty-five churches to the honour of Christ, the Virgin, and the saints: most of these churches were decorated 106 The six books of the Edifices of Procopius are thus distributed : the first is confined to Constantinople ; the second includes Mesopotamia and Syria ; the third, Armenia and the Euxine ; the fourth, Europe ; the fifth, Asia Minor and Palestine ; the sixth, Egypt and Africa. Italy is foi-got by the emperor or the historian, who published this work of adulation before the date (a.d. 555) of its final conquest. [It was not published before a.d. 560. Cp. Appendix 1.]