Reservoir of Mocius – Construction

Construction

491

518

The attribution to Anastasius is found in the Patria of Constantinople, a 10th century (sometimes unreliable) survey of Constantinople. However, an in situ brickstamp appears to have been in a typical style of the 5th century (might also be old stock). The stamp carried an eight indiction, and may therefore date to 499/500 or 514/15, which supports the claim from the Patria (Crow et al., 2008, p. 132).

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According to the Patria, Anastasius built this cistern because there was a famine.

Its shape and structure differs from the other two reservoirs (Aspar, Aetius). This betrays a different date of construction. Instead of displaying an alternation of bands of brick with bands of mortared rubble that are faced with neatly-squared limestone blocks, the brick bonding courses are themselves faced with stone (longer, higher and deeper blocks) (Crow et al., 2008, p. 132).

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