No 6D

Location: On the marble railing of the second sector of the so-called 'Lodge of the Empress'.

Material: Marble surface, 6th century.

Dimensions: Height 11.5 cm, width 6 cm.

Condition: The bottom part is half-erased, but the upper part is clearly distinguishable.

Technique: Incised.

Description: Contour drawing of a conical tent supported by a central pole. From the pole radiate multiple lines forming the outline of the tent’s canopy. At the top, a pointed finial is shown, surmounted by two small triangular flags projecting to the right.

Attribution: Military/ceremonial tent.

Publications: none.

Commentary: The combination of a conical form, central mast, and flying banners is typical of Western military encampments and command tents, as frequently illustrated in manuscripts of the 13th–14th centurycentury[1]. This type is associated with prestige and military command. The graffito may therefore reflect the presence of Crusaders or Western mercenaries in Constantinople during the Latin Empire (1204–1261) or during later periods of Byzantine–Western contact.

Date: 13th–14th century AD.

[1] Cod. Pal. germ. 848, Große Heidelberger Liederhandschrift (Codex Manesse), Zürich, ca. 1300 bis ca. 1340, fol. 231r. [viewed 22 October 2025]. Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Heidelberg. Available at: https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/touch/cpg848/#page/464; Bodleian Library MS. Bodl. 264, 1338–1344, fol. 83v. [viewed 22 October 2025]. Bodleian Library, Oxford. Available at: https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/ae9f6cca-ae5c-4149-8fe4-95e6eca1f73c/surfaces/325930a5-8772-4753-81e4-312b3d66d6f5/.