Malalas’ Antioch

65

church of the archangel Michael, which had been built by emperor Zeno” (XVII 16,
P- 347,L 32-33)·
These common characteristics show that despite the contrasts existing between
the three parts which we distinguished, the Chronography is not the result of a hasty
compilation of heterogeneous material, and that there really is a true author behind
the text. Moreover, it shows that there must be a coherence between the various men-
tions of Antiochean urban space, which doesn’t exclude strong differences between
the third part and the other two parts. The best way to understand the function and
the value of the references to Antiochean urban space in parts I—II seems to take into
consideration first and foremost the image of Antioch between 474 and ca 530, as it
emerges from the Books XV-XVIII.
IL From Zeno to Justinian: Books XV-XVIII
In Books XV-XVIII, the focused references to Antiochean urban space are rare and
brief: the “numerous buildings” of Illus (XV 13, ed. Thurn, p. 313,1. 48), the building
activity of Anastasius (XVI 8), and the gifts of Justinian and Theodora to Antioch
after the earthquake of 526 (XVII 19). The majority of the references to Antiochean
urban space are incidental references, they occur in the narrative of various historical
events. In these books indeed Malalas describes several riots: during Zeno’s reign,
the murder of the bishop Stephanos (XV 6, ed. Thurn, p. 304,11. 78-82); two riots,
directed against the count of Orient and against Jews, and a real pogrom (XV 15);29
during Anastasius’reign, a riot against the count of Orient (XVI 2), a pogrom and the
subsequent repression (XVI 6); and during Justin’s reign, a riot in the theatre (XVIII
41), and a riot against the bishop (XVIII 64). He gives also an account of several urban
fires and earthquakes (XVII14; XVII16; XVII 27; XVIII 62). He mentions also some
picturesque events or persons (XVI 5; XVII 7), or events related to the history of the
episcopate (XV 6; XVI 11; XVI 7) or the cult of the saints (XVIII 49), or to the rela-
tionship between the city and imperial power (XVIII 45; XVIII 48; XVIII 67).
However, the incidental references contained in these narratives furnish details
concerning the urban space of Antioch in Late Antiquity.
The city is surrounded by a wall (XV 15, ed. Thurn, p. 317,1. *78= El \Excerpta de
Insidiis\ Malalas 35, ed. de Boor, p. 167,1. 11) interrupted by urban gates, such as the
“Draoudai” Gate (XVII 16, ed. Thurn, p. 345, 1. 15, according to a Slavonic version)
or Saint Julian’s Gate (XVII 16, ed. Thurn, p. 348,1. 69). The mountain rising behind
Antioch is also mentioned (XVII 16), as well as the Orontes and a bridge crossing it
(XV 6; XVI 6).
29 The text of the manuscript O is greatly abbreviated, it is necessary to use the version of the Excerpta de
insidiis (ed. C. de Boor, Berlin, 1905, hereafter ΕΓ), printed in Thurns edition under the main text. Re-
garding the relationships between the two texts, see lastly Flusin, “Les Excerpta constantiniens et la
Chronographie de Malalas”, p. 131.