Page:The age of Justinian and Theodora (Volume 1).djvu/74

 amongst whom Anastasius was included before his elevation to the purple, is to keep order in the Imperial chambers. The terraces and balconies of Daphne, which face the west, overlook the Hippodrome. Adjoining the Palace on the south is an area fitted up as a private circus, which is used by members of the Court for equestrian exercises.

Passing through Daphne to the east we enter a further court, and find ourselves opposite a third vestibule which, being of a semi-elliptical form, is called the Sigma of the Palace. The division of the Imperial residence to which this hall introduces us is specially the Sacred or "God-guarded" Palace, because it contains the "sacred cubicle" or sleeping apartment of the Emperor. In this quarter a numerous band of cubicularies or eunuchs of the bed-*chamber have their principal station, controlled by the Praepositus of the sacred cubicle. Here also are a crowd(ibid., p. 79), on the shore near the Bucoleon.]