The statues on show in the late Roman and Byzantine city of Constantinople

ANTIQUE STATUARY AND THE BYZANTINE BEHOLDER The deliberate assembling of ancient statues in Constantinople constitutes something of a paradox. We must not forget that paganism was very much of a live issue, not only in the fourth century, but until about the year 600. Statues of pagan divinities were, of course, an essential part in the celebration of pagan rites. The lives of the saints are full of reference to the destruction of pagan statues...