All the evidence suggests that the Palace and Harbour of Hormisdas were, in fact, the same as the Palace and Harbour of the Bucoleon, just under an earlier name. The distinction made by the Anonymus between the two palaces is not a problem but actually supports this conclusion. In reality, there are two palatial buildings on the bay east of Tchatlady Kapou. These buildings stand at different levels and are separated by some yards. The lower building was likely the Palace of Hormisdas, while the higher one, closer to the gate, may have been the palace referred to as the Bucoleon by the Anonymus The Palace of Hormisdas Location and Evidence.
Names and Historical Usage
The use of the names “Palace of Hormisdas” and “Port of Hormisdas” disappears in Byzantine writings once the name Bucoleon became common. The first writer to refer to the harbour as the Bucoleon is Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus in the tenth century. Later historians also use the name when describing events in the ninth century, during the reigns of Michael I and Theophilus. It is unclear whether these writers used the term because it was the name in use at the time of the events or because it had become the familiar name for the palace and harbour by the time they wrote. If we accept the first possibility, the name Bucoleon was probably established in the early ninth century.
Evidence from Theophanes
On the other hand, the last writer to mention the Palace of Hormisdas is Theophanes, who died in 818. In his work, he refers to events of the seventh century, specifically the execution of David, the Chartophylax of the Palace of Hormisdas during the reign of Phocas. Theophanes uses the term “Palace of Hormisdas” because it was still familiar to his readers. This shows that while the name Bucoleon eventually replaced Hormisdas, both terms referred to the same complex at different times.
Reconciling Two Buildings
The presence of two palaces on the same bay also explains why the Anonymus distinguishes them. The higher palace, closer to Tchatlady Kapou, may have retained its identity as the Bucoleon, while the lower palace carried the older title of Hormisdas. This division reflects the evolution of the site over time, as the Byzantines expanded, rebuilt, and renamed structures according to imperial usage and historical memory Private Fun Tour Istanbul.
In conclusion, the Palace and Harbour of Hormisdas and the Bucoleon are the same location under different historical names. The evidence of two palaces on different levels, the historical usage of the names by Byzantine writers, and the testimony of Theophanes all support this identification. The site east of Tchatlady Kapou, close to the Church of SS. Sergius and Bacchus and below the Great Palace, fits perfectly with this interpretation. Recognizing this continuity helps us better understand the topography of Constantinople and the evolution of its imperial residences and harbours.
