A
DESCRIPTION
Of the WARDS of
Constantinople.
The first Region, or Ward.
THE first Ward contains in it, the House of Placidia Augusta; the House of the most illustrious Marina; the Bagnio’s of Arcadius; twenty nine Streets; an Hundred and eighteen large Houses; two Portico’s of a great Length; fifteen private Bagnio’s; four publick, and fifteen private Mills; and four Gradus. It was governed by one Curator, who had under his Charge, the whole Ward. There was also one Vernaculus, who was Messenger of the Ward, was also Assistant to him, and entirely at his Command. It had also twenty five Collegiati, chosen out of the several Bodies of Tradesmen, whose Office it was to direct and assist in Cases of Fire. There were also five Vico-Magistri, whose Business it was to watch the City by Night.
Thus far my Author. I shall here add a Remark made by Gyllius, it not being foreign to our Purpose, viz. That those whom P. Victor and S. Rufus, believed to have been called the Denunciatores in antient Rome, here in new Rome, he calls Vernaculi. Neither of them mention the Collegiati, tho’ all Historians take Notice of the Vico-Magistri, who with more Propriety of the Latin Tongue, should rather have been called Vicorum Magistri, as appears, he tells us, by an Inscription yet remaining in the Capitol of Old Rome, which is as follows.
IMP. CAESARI DIVI.
TRAIANI PARTHICI FIL.
DIVI NERVAE NEPOTI.
TRAIANO HADRIANO.
AVG. PONTIF. MAXIMO.
TRIBVNIC. POTESTAT. XX.
IMP. II. CON. III. P.
MAGISTRI VICORVM XIIII.