Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/266

 218 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, but this extraordinary diligence should excite the less 1— admiration, since many of the buildings were finished in so hasty and imperfect a manner, that, under the succeeding reign, they were preserved with difficulty from impending ruin*. But while they displayed the vigour and freshness of youth, the founder prepared to celebrate the dedication of his city". The games and largesses which crowned the pomp of this me- morable festival may easily be supposed : but there is one circumstance of a more singular and permanent nature, which ought not entirely to be overlooked. As often as the birthday of the city returned, the statue of Constantine, framed, by his order, of gilt wood, and bearing in its right hand a small image of the genius of the place, was erected on a triumphal car. The guards, carrying white tapers, and clothed in their richest ap- parel, accompanied the solemn procession as it moved through the hippodrome. When it was opposite to the throne of the reigning emperor, he rose from his seat, and with grateful reverence adored the memory of his predecessor". At the festival of the dedication, an edict, engraved on a column of marble, bestowed the title of Second or New Rome on the city of Con- stantine y. But the name of Constantinople^ has pre- weight, and the space which he assigns must appear insufficient. The term of ten years is given us by Julian (Orat. i. p. 8.) and Spanheim la- bours to establish the truth of it (p. 69—75.) by the help of two passages from Themistius (Orat. iv. p. 58.) and Philostorgius (1. ii. c. 9.) winch form a period from the year 324 to the year 334. Modern critics are divided concerning this point of chronology ; and their different sentiments are very accurately discussed by Tillemont, Hist, des Erapereurs, torn. iv. p. 619—625. ' Themistius, Orat. iii. p. 47 ; Zosim. 1. ii. p. 108. Constantine him- self, in one of his laws, (Cod. Theod. 1. xv. tit. i.) betrays his impatience. " Cedrenus and Zonaras, faithful to the mode of superstition which pre- vailed in their own times, assure us, that Constantinople was consecrated ♦o the virgin mother of God, " The earliest and most complete account of this extraordinary ceremony may be found in the Alexandrian Chronicle, p. 285. Tillemont, and the other friends of Constantine, who are offended with the air of paganism, which seems unworthy of a christian prince, had a right to consider it as doubtful, but they were not authorised to omit the mention of it. >■ Sozomen, 1. ii. c. 2; Ducange, C.P. 1. i. c. 6. Velut ipsius Roma filiam, is the expression of Augustin de Civitat. Dei, I. v. c. 25. ^ ^ Eutropius, 1. X. C.8; Julian, Orat. i. p. 8; Ducange, C.P. 1. i.e. 5. 'J he name of Constantinople is extant on the medals of Constantine.