Exakionion

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Exakionion (Greek: Ἑξακιώνιον) or Exokionion (Ἑξωκιόνιον)[1][2] was an area in Byzantine Constantinople. Its exact location and extent vary considerably in the sources.

Name

The name is given in various forms (Ἑξακιώνιον, Ἑξακιόνι[ο]ν, Ἑξωκιόνιον, Ἑξωκιώνιν, Ἑξωκιώνην), but according to Raymond Janin, it likely derives from a name like Ἑξωκιώνια, meaning "exterior colonnade" (i.e., outside the Wall of Constantine), deriving from a column placed by Constantine the Great in front of the wall, surmounted with a statue of himself.[3][2]

Location

The Byzantine authors apply the term to a variety of heights between the

Theodosian Walls.[4] More broadly, the term was apparently applied to almost the entire area between the walls, but also designated a more specific quarter therein.[1]

Based on the descriptions of imperial ceremonies in the 10th-century

Chalke Gate of the Great Palace of Constantinople.[8]

This gate at Exakionion is therefore commonly held to have been the main gate of Constantine's city wall, or "Old Golden Gate", mentioned in the

St. John Prodromos, built by Constantine the Great against the city wall, but this gate may have been situated a bit further north.[10]

Monuments

Apart from the statue of Constantine the Great, there were a number of other monuments in the quarter. Emperor

Holy Trinity, and Saint Eudokimos.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Janin 1950, pp. 34, 327–328.
  2. ^ a b c d Guilland 1969, p. 62.
  3. ^ a b c Janin 1950, p. 327.
  4. ^ a b c Janin 1950, p. 34.
  5. ^ a b Janin 1950, pp. 34–35.
  6. ^ Guilland 1969, p. 63.
  7. ^ Guilland 1969, p. 64.
  8. ^ Janin 1950, p. 90.
  9. ^ Janin 1950, p. 35.
  10. ^ a b Guilland 1969, pp. 62–63.

Sources

  • Guilland, Rodolphe (1969). Études de topographie de Constantinople byzantine, Tome II (in French). Berlin: Akademie-Verlag.
  • Janin, Raymond (1950). Constantinople byzantine. Développement urbaine et répertoire topographique. Paris: Institut Français d'Études Byzantines.
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