Based on all available evidence, it is clear that the Harbour of Julian and the Harbour of Hormisdas were not the same. Earlier historians, such as the Anonymus and Codinus, sometimes confused the two harbours, but more reliable sources help clarify the matter. John of Antioch, in particular, provides a detailed account that distinguishes these locations The Palace and Harbour of Hormisdas and the Bucoleon.
According to John of Antioch, the Harbour of Julian, later called the Harbour of Sophia, was entirely separate from any harbour in the quarter of Hormisdas. He explains that during the time of Phocas, when troops were assembled to defend Constantinople against Heraclius, three key positions were occupied by the defenders: the Harbour of Kaisarius, the Harbour of Sophia, and the quarter of Hormisdas. The Greens were stationed at the first two harbours, while the Blues held the quarter of Hormisdas. This description clearly separates the Harbour of Sophia (Julian) from Hormisdas, showing that they were located in different districts of the city.
Evidence from the Paschal Chronicle
Further evidence comes from the Paschal Chronicle, which also records these events. In the Chronicle, there is no mention of the Harbour of Hormisdas. Instead, the Harbour of Julian is described as lying in the quarter of Maurus. This confirms that the two harbours occupied distinct locations. The Chronicle’s account aligns with John of Antioch and contradicts the idea that the Harbour of Julian and the Harbour of Hormisdas were one and the same.
Implications for the Palace of Hormisdas
The distinction between these harbours has direct implications for the location of the Palace of Hormisdas. Some scholars have argued that the Palace and Harbour of Hormisdas were actually the Palace and Harbour of the Bucoleon under an earlier name. However, given the clear separation of the harbours described by John of Antioch, it is unlikely that Hormisdas’s palace and harbour were ever located in the same bay as the Bucoleon. Instead, the Palace and Harbour of Hormisdas must have been situated elsewhere, possibly to the west near Kadriga Limani, in the vicinity of the Harbour of Julian before it became known as the Harbour of Sophia Guided Round Tours Turkey.
In conclusion, historical evidence from John of Antioch and the Paschal Chronicle strongly supports the view that the Harbour of Julian (later Sophia) and the Harbour of Hormisdas were distinct. Consequently, the Palace of Hormisdas was also separate from the Palace of the Bucoleon. This clarification helps resolve longstanding confusion in the topography of Byzantine Constantinople and allows historians to identify the locations of imperial palaces and harbours with greater accuracy. By distinguishing these sites, we can better understand the strategic and architectural layout of the city during the Byzantine era.
