ABSTRACT
Constantine’s poem, categorising monuments and works of art as it does, and evoking classicism, antiquarianism and imperial ceremony, fits well with traditions of writing in the reigns of both Leo VI and Constantine VII. Throughout the poem, Constantine dealt with topics and themes close to both emperors’ hearts. But is it not clear why he should have produced a poem about the monuments of Constantinople and a poem about the Holy Apostles, as well as one about Hagia Sophia. Constantine of Rhodes can be seen to use the monuments of the city of Constantinople to associate Constantine VII with his great imperial predecessors. The church of the Holy Apostles is itself Justinian’s: the description of the actual building of the church is framed in terms of the architect’s work, Anthemios or Isidore the Younger, the builders of Justinian’s Hagia Sophia.
