Constantinople’s “birthday” occurred on May 11, 330. Most of the festivities took place in the newly built forum, at the center of which “stood a porphyry column bearing a gilt statue of the emperor. It held on its right hand the orb of world power. Inside the orb was a piece of the True Cross.”
MacMullen comments on the speed of Constantine’s rebuilding, a speed made possible by the fact that Constantine reused materials from other cities: “In the forum, the porphyry column came from Rome, the statue atop from Ilion (it was a figure of Apollo, the head recut).”
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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