More noticeable in this range of wall are the entrances to two excavated harbours, each closed by a chain stretching between a pair of containing towers. The first, at the foot of the Xerolophos, dates from the time of Constantine, who called it the Port of Eleutherius[1] after his master of the works. Remade by Theodosius I, it has since been most commonly associated with the name of that emperor.[2] Paved at the bottom and surrounded by a stone quay,[3] it is about a Roman mile in circuit,[4] and is divided centrally by a dike into an inner and outer basin.[5] More easterly is another similar but smaller harbour, having only one basin, designated Port Julian[6] from its Imperial founder, but it is more often spoken of as the New Port.[7] Owing, however, to the exceptional suitability for shipping of the north side of the city, both these harbours have gradually fallen into disuse and, becoming choked with sand, have been looked on merely as fit receptacles for the rubble accumulated in clearing building sites.[8] But the Port of Julian is soon to be reopened, for, at the direction of Anastasius, rotatory pumps have been fixed to empty it of its water and dredging operations are in progress.[9] To insure its continued patency a, Codin., p. 86; [Greek: bukanon], Nicetas Chon., p. 733) by this harbour fitted with a "siren" formed of brass pipes, whose mouths protruding outside resounded when they caught the wind blowing off the sea. Ducange, i, p. 13, thinks a later fable has risen out of the vocal towers of Byzantium. "Sic nugas nugantur Graeculi nugigeruli," says Banduri (ii, p. 487). There was certainly a watch-tower here, but of origin and date unknown. Mordtmann, op. cit., p. 55.]
Page:The age of Justinian and Theodora (Volume 1).djvu/58
This page needs to be proofread.
