Forum of Theodosius

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Remains located at today's Beyazit Square

Marble fragment of memorial column to Emperor Theodosius I

Remains of one of the peacock-columns of the triumphal arch

The Forum of Theodosius (today Beyazit Square) was an area in Constantinople. It used to be called "Forum Tauri" (The Bull Square) but in the 4th century CE the name was changed. During this period, the forum was surrounded by marble public and civil buildings such as churches and baths were decorated with porticoes. The capitol stood at the north-east.

1 The Column of Theodosius
2 Basilica
3 Triumphal Arch
4 External links

[edit] The Column of Theodosius

The forum had a column in the middle, erected for the glory of emperor Theodosius I. The shaft was carved with reliefs depicting the victory of the emperor over the barbarians. A statue of Theodosius stood on top. Inside a spiral staircase led the visitor to the top. A stylite lived on the summit of the column towards the end of the Middle Byzantine period. The column remained standing until the end of the 15th century. Some pieces of the column were selected for use in the Bath of Patrona Halil.

[edit] Basilica

Excavations for the foundation trenches of the Faculty of Letters and Sciences of Istanbul University uncovered the remains of three basilicas. Their identities and names are unknown, they are called Basilicas "A", "B", and "C". Basilica A is the only basilica of the Justinian time (527-565) whose plan is known. The plan exhibits several distinct characteristics. The central space was nearly a square, with two side courtyards. The narthex on the west connects with the courtyards. The intervals between the columns that separate the naves are closed off by balustrade slabs. The capitals resemble those of the Hagia Sophia. The large pulpit (ambo) in Basilica A is the only specimen from the early Byzantine period and is kept in the garden of Hagia Sophia.

[edit] Triumphal Arch

A triumphal arch made out of marble from Marmara Island was erected on the west side of the Forum. The triumphal arch had a vaulted roof with three passageways. The central archway of the triple arcade was wider and higher than the others. It was conceived to be similar to the ones in Rome. In the middle was the statue of Theodosius, while on both sides statues of his sons were put up, Arcadius and Honorarius. The central archway was flanked by piers of four columns each. The columns were carved in the form of Hercules clubs grasped by a fist.

Today the main street that starts from the Hagia Sophia Square is basically in the same direction to the west with the ancient Mese road, which formed the main artery of the old city. The Mese, passing through the Theodosius triumphal arch continued on to Thrace and reached out the Balkan peninsula. The triumphal arch and the surrounding ancient buildings to which some ruins possibly belong were destroyed as a result of invasions and natural disasters like earthquakes from the 5th century on. Thus their destruction was completed long before the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks.