The Venetian Fleet of 1269
The Postern of St. Lazarus appears in historical records during a moment of great alarm in 1269, when a large Venetian fleet of seventy-five galleys suddenly appeared off the coast of Constantinople. At that time, relations between the maritime powers of the eastern Mediterranean were tense, and the arrival of such a fleet naturally caused fear among the inhabitants of the capital.
As soon as the ships were sighted, the authorities ordered that all the gates of the city be closed, a standard precaution in times of danger. Only one entrance remained open: the Postern of St. Lazarus. From this small gate, envoys were sent out by boat to meet the Venetian commanders and discover the purpose of their voyage The Church of the Theotokos Hodegetria.
The anxiety of the people was intense until the envoys returned with reassuring news. The Venetian galleys had not come to attack Constantinople, but rather to settle disputes with the Genoese at Galata, across the Golden Horn. Once this was known, the immediate fear for the safety of the capital passed, and the city returned to a state of cautious calm. This episode shows the strategic importance of even the smallest gates in the city’s defensive system.
The Gate of the Hodegetria and the Coup of 1355
A Night of Deception and Violence
Another small gate in the same area, the Gate of the Hodegetria, played a dramatic role in the political struggles of the fourteenth century. According to the historian Ducas, it was through this gate that John VI Palaiologos entered Constantinople in 1355, in order to overthrow John Cantacuzene.
The expedition began with a difficult and dangerous sea voyage from Tenedos, made under stormy conditions. The conspirators arrived before the walls of Constantinople on a dark and rainy night. Their force was small, consisting of only two galleys and about 2,000 men, many of whom were Italian mercenaries. Given their limited numbers, a direct assault on the city was impossible. Their only hope lay in deception Destinations Bulgaria.
The Stratagem at the Gate
Turning Compassion into Opportunity
As the galleys approached the Gate of the Hodegetria, the attackers put their plan into action. They hurled empty oil jars against the city walls, creating loud crashing sounds, and filled the night air with cries of distress. The noise and confusion convinced the sentinels that a shipwreck had occurred nearby.
Appealing to the guards’ sense of humanity, and promising them a share in the rich cargo of oil supposedly carried by the damaged ships, the conspirators persuaded the sentinels to open the gate. The guards rushed out to assist the imagined victims, unaware that they were walking into a deadly trap.
When the truth was discovered, it was already too late. The sentinels were quickly overpowered and killed, and the attackers seized control of the gate. They then climbed the nearby towers and raised loud cries in support of Palaiologos, signaling to their allies and spreading confusion within the city.
Political Consequences
The Fall of Cantacuzene
The capture of the Gate of the Hodegetria proved decisive. Once the conspirators had secured an entrance, resistance collapsed, and John Cantacuzene was forced to abandon power. This episode illustrates how internal division and clever strategy could be more dangerous to Constantinople than any foreign army.
The events connected with the Postern of St. Lazarus and the Gate of the Hodegetria demonstrate the vital role played by even minor entrances in the history of Constantinople. Whether used for diplomacy in moments of tension or exploited through deception in times of civil conflict, these small gates became the stage for actions that shaped the fate of the Byzantine Empire.
