with a horseman said to have been abstracted from Antioch, whom some imagine to be Jesus Nava,[1] and others Bellerophon.[2] Facing each other from east to west on opposite sides of the square are arches supporting figures of those degenerate representatives of the Theodosian dynasty, Arcadius and Honorius.[3] To the western of these arches we may observe that an assortment of troublesome insects, counterfeited in brass, have been carefully affixed—another charm of Apollonius Tyaneus intended to protect the inhabitants against such diminutive pests.[4] In this vicinity is also a palace, built by Constantine, in which strangers from all parts are hospitably entertained without expense or question.[5]
From the west side of Taurus we may perceive the great aqueduct of Valens, which crosses the third valley, and is here conjoined with the chief Nymphaeum, a decorative public hall built around a fountain.[6] Several of these Nymphaea exist in the city, and they are often made use of for private entertainments, especially nuptial festivals, by citizens who have not sufficient space for such purposes in their own homes.[7] The water supply of the town is under the care of a special Consul, and very stringent laws are in force to prevent waste or injury to the structures necessary for its storage andto [Greek: nymphê], a bride, as argued by some commentators. Fountains were sacred to the Nymphs; see Ducange, CP. Christ, sb. voc.]
- ↑ The favourite Byzantine appellation for Joshua the son of Nun.
- ↑ Ibid.; Nicetas Chon., De Signis, 4.
- ↑ Codin., p. 42.
- ↑ Ibid., p. 124.
- ↑ Ibid., pp. 42, 74; see Anthology (Plan.), iv, 22, for two epigrams which give some idea of the scope of these Xenodochia.
- ↑ Notitia, Reg. 10.
- ↑ Cedrenus, i, p. 610; Zonaras, xiv, 1; sufficiently corroborated by Cod., VIII, xii, 21, and not a mere assumption arising out of the similarity of [Greek: nymphaion
