There is good reason to believe that the Gate of Eugenius was known by more than one name during Byzantine times. Besides its usual designation, the gate appears to have been called the Marmora Porta on certain occasions. Ecclesiastical documents from the years 1399 and 1441 mention an entrance in the quarter of Eugenius under this name. These records suggest that Marmora Porta was not a separate gate but another name for the same important entrance.
Such changes or variations in names were common in Constantinople. Gates and districts often carried several names, depending on usage, tradition, or the type of document in which they appeared. This explains why the Gate of Eugenius could also be known as Marmora Porta in later Byzantine records Cattle Market and Storage Buildings.
The Scala Timasii Near the Gate
Close to the Gate of Eugenius stood the Scala Timasii, a pier named after Timasiius, a famous general who served during the reign of Emperor Arcadius. Historical records place this pier in the Fourth Region of the city. Since the Gate of Eugenius was also located in this region, the pier must have stood very near the gate.
The presence of this pier further confirms the importance of the gate as a point of arrival and departure. It connected the city to sea routes and played a role in both official and ceremonial activities Istanbul Private Tours.
Imperial Marriage Ceremonies at the Gate
The Gate of Eugenius was not only important for trade and defense but also for imperial ceremony. It was customary for the future bride of an emperor to land at this gate when she arrived in Constantinople by sea. Her arrival marked the beginning of a carefully planned public ritual.
At the gate, she was received with great ceremony by her future husband. She was then dressed in the imperial buskins and other symbols of her rank. After this formal welcome, she was led on horseback to the imperial palace. These events show that the gate held a high ceremonial status in the life of the empire.
The Tower and the Defensive Chain
The most significant feature of the Gate of Eugenius was the tower that stood beside it. This tower held the southern end of the great chain that was stretched across the Golden Horn during times of war. The chain prevented enemy ships from entering the harbor and was one of the city’s strongest defenses.
Originally, this structure was known as the Kentenarion. It was first built as an impressive and stately building. After it was destroyed by an earthquake, Emperor Theophilus rebuilt it, but in a simpler form, as an ordinary defensive tower.
How the Chain Was Supported
The chain did not rest directly in the water. Instead, it was supported by wooden floats, which helped keep it at the proper height and position. This made the barrier more effective against enemy ships.
The northern end of the chain was fastened to a tower in the fortifications of Galata, commonly known as the Tower of Galata. This tower stood on the opposite side of the harbor and worked together with the tower near the Gate of Eugenius to secure the entrance.
The Gate on the Galata Side
According to the scholar Gyllius, the gate near the Galata tower was called Porta Catena, or “Gate of the Chain.” Unfortunately, Gyllius does not clearly describe its exact position. Even so, his statement supports the idea that the chain system was well known and that its presence influenced the naming of gates on both sides of the Golden Horn.
Together, these details highlight the Gate of Eugenius as a place of ceremony, defense, and strategic importance in Byzantine Constantinople.