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The Porta Aurea was the State Entrance into the capital,^[224] and was remarkable both for its architectural splendour and its military strength. It was built of large squared blocks of polished marble, fitted together without cement, and was flanked by two great towers constructed of the same material. Like the Triumphal Arch of Severus and that of Constantine at Rome, it had three archways, the central one being wider and loftier than those on either side.

The gates glittered with gold,^[225] and numerous statues and other sculptured ornaments were placed at suitable points.^[226]

The Golden Gate (Inner).

Of these embellishments the following are mentioned: a cross, which was blown down by a hurricane in the reign of Justinian;^[227] a Victory, which fell in an earthquake in the reign of Michael III.;^[228] a crowned female figure, representing the Fortune of the city;^[229] a statue of Theodosius the Great, overthrown by the earthquake at the close of the reign of Leo the Isaurian;^[230] a bronze group of four elephants;^[231] the gates of Mompseuesta, gilded and placed here by Nicephorus Phocas, as a trophy of his campaign in Cilicia.^[232] At the south-western angle of the northern tower the Roman eagle still spreads its wings; the laureated monogram “ΧΡ” appears above the central archway on the city side of the gateway; and several crosses are scattered over the building.