Inscriptions Honoring Theophilus and Michael

Inscriptions near Top Kapoussi

According to the research of Aristarki Bey and Canon Curtis, two additional inscriptions dedicated to Emperor Theophilus and his son, Michael III, were once found on towers near Top Kapoussi (the Gate of St. Barbara). These inscriptions, along with many others, show the large scale of restoration work carried out under Theophilus.

The last three inscriptions in this group are especially important, as they provide an approximate date for part of the construction. Since Michael III served as co-emperor with his father from 839 to 842, we know that some of the repairs to the city walls must have been completed during those years.

The Golden Horn Fortifications

Along the fortifications of the Golden Horn, around twenty inscriptions honoring Theophilus have been recorded. They were very similar to those found on the Marmara Sea walls, bearing the emperor’s name and titles. Unfortunately, most of these inscriptions have since disappeared due to repeated demolitions of the walls, which were carried out during later city improvements.

The most memorable of these were the inscriptions that contained two names together: Theophilus and Michael. This pairing is of great historical interest because it shows the continuity of imperial authority Private Bulgaria Tours Yachting.

The Names of Michael and Theophilus

The inscriptions reveal two patterns:

In two cases, Michael’s name appeared before Theophilus’s name.

In five cases, Theophilus’s name came first, followed by Michael’s.

The only reasonable explanation for this variation is that the two names referred to different emperors named Michael. When Michael’s name came first, it referred to Michael II, the father of Theophilus. When Theophilus’s name came first, the Michael mentioned was Michael III, his son.

From this evidence, historians conclude that the restoration of Constantinople’s seaward walls began during the reign of Michael II, around 825, soon after he appointed his son Theophilus as co-emperor. The work then continued under Theophilus and was later completed under Michael III.

The Inscriptions near Indjili Kiosk

To the north of the ruins of Indjili Kiosk, by the Sea of Marmara, three marble slabs with inscriptions were once built into the city wall. Though badly damaged and partly illegible, the text appeared to commemorate the restoration of a section of the wall during the reign of Michael III.

What makes this inscription particularly interesting is its mention of Bardas, the emperor’s maternal uncle. Bardas was a powerful figure in Byzantine politics and served as commander of the elite imperial guard known as the Scholai. His name in the inscription confirms his role in overseeing the restoration of the walls and protecting the imperial capital.

Legacy of the Inscriptions

The surviving inscriptions of Theophilus and Michael II–III are more than decorative carvings. They are historical evidence of the empire’s efforts to strengthen its defenses during the ninth century. They also demonstrate how emperors used such inscriptions to connect their names with acts of piety, strength, and continuity.

Though many have been lost through centuries of rebuilding and destruction, the few that remain still tell the story of a dynasty that saw itself as both defenders of the faith and protectors of Constantinople.