According to historical accounts, the name of emperor Anastasius (r. 491-518) was connected to the cistern in the Sphendone (southern elevated part) of the Hippodrome.
The Patria (10th century) claims the cistern was built into the Sphendone "because the place was craggy".
Cedrenus (11th century) explains the building project as an attempt of emperor Anastasius to prove a prophecy false that he would die"through fire". Even though the source labels the cistern as "called Cold", Crow et al. are cautious to confirm that this is the Cold Cistern at Sphendone.