50. There are three topographical points which indicate the
situation of the palace. 1. The staircase which connected it
with the Hippodrome or Atmeidan. 2. A small artificial port
on the Propontis, from whence there was an easy ascent, by a
flight of marble steps, to the gardens of the palace. 3. The
Augusteum was a spacious court, one side of which was
occupied by the front of the palace, and another by the
church of St. Sophia.