Latin: Forum) in the city of Constantinople (today's Istanbul). Used also as a place for public executions and torture, it disappeared completely after the end of the Byzantine Empire
.
Location
The Forum lay along the southern branch of the
Aksaray
.
History
This square was possibly part of
war against the Persians. However, this is not certain since executions using the Ox continue to be attested after Heraclius's reign, for example, when Justinian II (r.685-695; 705–711) let burn in the Ox the two Patricians Theodoros and Stephanos, both involved in a failed plot against him.[3] The same Emperor enlarged and adorned the square.[4] During the Byzantine Iconoclasm, Saint Theodosia (d. 729) and Saint Andrew of Crete (d. 766), both defenders of icon veneration, were executed in the square.[3] The former was executed by having a ram's horn hammered through her neck.[5]
Architecture
An idealized depiction of execution using the Brazen Bull in Pergamum
We know the position of the Forum Bovis thanks to the work
The Forum had a rectangular plan with sides 250 m and 300 m long.
Helena holding their hands on a gold plated silver cross, a composition that became very popular in Byzantine art.[3]
Near the Forum lay also the Palace of Eleutherios (named so since it lay in the Byzantine community of ta Eleutheriou and overlooked the
Golden Gate.[4] This part of the road corresponds to the modern Istanbul roads Çerrahpaşa Caddesi and Kocamustafapaşa Caddesi.[4] Two other paths connected the square with the gates of St. Romanus (modern Topkapı) and Pege (modern Silivri kapı).[4]
The Forum's location has not yet been excavated.
triumphal Arch, were most probably part of the Forum.[6] Moreover, single constructive elements were also found in situ during these excavations.[6] In 1968–71, during the roadworks to build the Aksaray road interchange southeast of the Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque, no remains of the square have been found.[6]
