Meaning and Origin of the Name
The Hebdomon (Greek: To Hebdomon, Latin: Septimum) was an important suburb of Constantinople. It was located along the famous Egnatian Road, one of the main Roman highways connecting the eastern and western parts of the empire. The Hebdomon stood at a distance of seven Roman miles from the center of the city, and it took its name from this fact A Fixed Assumption That Led to Error.
In Roman times, it was common for villages and settlements along major roads to be named after the distance marked by milestones. The Hebdomon was named after the seventh milestone (ad septimum lapidem), just as many other towns across the Roman world were. A modern example of this tradition can still be seen in Italy, where the town of Settimo near Turin preserves the memory of its ancient name, ad Septimum.
Historical Importance of the Hebdomon
The Hebdomon holds a special place in Byzantine history because of its strong military character and its close connection with the imperial court. It was not an ordinary suburb but a ceremonial and strategic area used by emperors and armies.
Several emperors assembled troops at the Hebdomon before major campaigns. It was also a site for military reviews, imperial receptions, and public ceremonies. Victorious emperors were often welcomed there before entering the city in triumph. Because of this role, the Hebdomon became closely associated with imperial power, authority, and military success.
The Question of the Site
The location of the Hebdomon has long been a subject of debate among historians and scholars of Byzantine topography. However, there is strong and convincing evidence that the Hebdomon corresponds to the modern village of Makriköy, which lies on the shore of the Sea of Marmara, about three miles west of the Golden Gate of Constantinople Daily Tours Sofia.
This identification fits well with ancient descriptions, distances recorded in historical texts, and the known course of the Egnatian Road. Makriköy lies exactly where one would expect to find a settlement located seven miles from the city center along this road.
A Serious Topographical Error
Despite this clear evidence, a mistaken opinion has long circulated among scholars. According to this view, the Hebdomon was located at the northern end of the Theodosian Walls, near the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus and the district of Blachernae. This theory has been supported by some well-known names in Byzantine studies, which has helped it gain wide acceptance.
However, this identification is entirely incorrect. It contradicts geographical facts, historical distances, and ancient sources. The area of Blachernae lies far to the north of the city and has no connection with the Egnatian Road or the seventh milestone.
The error is so obvious that it has drawn sharp criticism. The scholar Valesius, expressing strong frustration, famously remarked that even a blind man could see the truth in this matter. His comment underlines how clearly the evidence points away from Blachernae and toward the coast near Makriköy.
The Hebdomon was a key suburban center of Byzantine Constantinople, deeply connected with the military and ceremonial life of the empire. Its true location, near modern Makriköy on the Sea of Marmara, is supported by clear historical and geographical evidence. The long-standing confusion with the Blachernae district stands as a cautionary example of how even respected scholars can be misled when simple facts are overlooked.
