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Event details

installation	Bath of Leo VI (Oikonomeion?)
name	Bath of Leo VI – Restoration
event type	Restoration
start date	945
end date	959
date comments	Reign of Constantine VII Porphyrogenitos.
persons	Constantine VII - Restorer (913-959)
description	According to a poem by Leo Choirosphaktes, likely commissioned by the emperor himself, Constantine VII restored 'that great bad that had been contrived by his father Leo in the House of Marina' (Theophanes) after his predecessor Romanos I (r. 920-944) had neglected it.
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Literature connected to this Event

#	Code	Page	Excerpt
1	Magdalino 1988
2	Magdalino 1988	116-118	Appendix I: Text and Translation of Choirosphaktes' poem (Another anacreontic poem of the same Magistros Leo) on the bath built by the emperor Leo in the imperial palace The music of instruments resounds throughout the city. Why? Let him who has recognised say, and if he knows, let him speak. The emperor Leo in his works has surpassed the imagination of Daedalus. I shall strike the shrill lyre in a pounding dance rythm. Joyful citizens, come to the sight, behold these bath-houses, strike up the music of instruments. The edifice is aglow like the vualt of heaven. All around you will see gilded stones sprouting at the tips, with statues now too. He who has drawn glory by wit and wisdom now finishes off his heroic arduous toils. As you go towards the doors, a long entrance-hall will envelop you, from which charm shines forth, the worth of sculpture. There as you look you will behold the shapes of venerable old men, the raging fury and slaughter of wrath raising wars. ... As you see the gilded work of dome and conch in the delightful colonnaded corridors, you will have to screen the rays of your eyes to safeguard them. Streams of heat-radiating water pour forth, pure and rich. O city, be here with me. See especially the sight of the earth-ruler on the proconch wearing a rosy appearance. Words cannot describe the beauty. O sisterly one, who has painted you and set you up to be gazed at like a luxuriant shoot? After this scene, he has drawn the forms of rivers, with fiercely-turned faces, and inscibed metrical encomia. Write divine doctrines, O youths; rain precipitates from godlike mouths. You will see the catching of fish with rod, net, and weel; on every island you will behold a delightful spread. Another strange and delightful wonder is that the beauties of the flowing springs take on many forms in their appearance, and wear a girlish grace. The noise of the doors with artful contrivance sends out a musical song; the song says, "Glory of rulers, O Basileus, King". At the lord's feet, among green fronds, bathes a sweet warbling bird, murmuring lyrical songs. Reject all babble of false words; Leo has now gathered all rhetorical eloquence. The flow of countless waters sends forth the melody of instruments, imperceptibly, without any players, weaving the emperor's praise. The serpent creeps up in his wisdom, the lion roars loudly, the sapphire-coloured crane delights the ear with its cry. Then a tall young sapling bears a melodious crop, gracefully tinkling among golden leaves. Under the centre glitters a hot, hot swelling current of waters in an octaconch, no small cure for the sick. Let the revolving axis of heaven rejoice that Leo perceives the unalterable threads of the bearers of light. O friends, it is an awesome sight. A griffin's breath projects a blazing jet, terryfing the mortal nature of those present. The manifold beauty of the bath has the grace of healing; it takes away men's sickness and grants strenght. The vitality of the limbs, drawing from hot liquid drops, has found vigour returning, and is youthful for years to come. The guardian of rhetoric has excelled himself; begone, O forgers of artless words.
3	Theophanes	323	Constantine VII did not allow any of his father's buildings to fall down 'including that great bath that had been contrived by his father Leo in the House of Marina, spacious as it was and the wonder of our State, which formerly had been neglected to the point that through carelessness and indifference it had been reduced to an ugly and unadorned condition and exhibited nothing but foundations. Constantine, then taking pride and pleasure in his father's works as if they were his own, made it new and restored it, not only bringing it up to its former adornment, but indeed, making it even finder by beautifying it all round and affording to the bathers the delights they had enjoyed before. It causes as much admiration to strangers as it astonishes the natives.