There is very little room for disagreement about the point from which the seven miles of the Hebdomon were measured. The historical evidence allows only a small number of possibilities, and most of them can be dismissed without difficulty.
The seven miles cannot have been measured from the Theodosian Walls, because the Hebdomon is mentioned in historical sources before those walls were built. Since the suburb already existed, it is impossible that its distance was calculated from fortifications that did not yet exist The Visit of Pope Constantine in 708.
For the same reason, the measurement cannot have started from the Wall of Constantine. Long before Constantinople was founded, the Egnatian Road, which connected Byzantium with Rome and the western provinces of the Empire, already existed. This road was marked with milestones under Roman rule, and the seventh milestone was in place before Constantine refounded the city.
The Roman Point of Measurement
We are therefore led to the conclusion that the seven miles were measured from the original centre of Byzantium, as it existed under Roman domination. This was the point from which distances were traditionally calculated, and it would have remained so until a compelling reason arose to change it.
Two possible locations meet this requirement:
The Milion, situated near the Church of St. Sophia
The main gate of ancient Byzantium, near the Column of Constantine
Both places were central and symbolically important. In favour of the Milion is the strong probability that later practice followed earlier custom. After the foundation of Constantinople, distances were certainly measured from the Milion, and it is highly likely that this usage simply continued an older tradition. Changing the point of measurement would have caused confusion and served no practical purpose Guided Tour Sofia.
However, even if one prefers the gate of Byzantium near the Column of Constantine, the result is almost exactly the same. The Milion and the gate stood very close to one another, so the difference in distance would be minimal and would not affect the final conclusion.
The Distance Leads to Makrikeui
When seven Roman miles are measured westward from either of these points to the shore of the Sea of Marmora, the result leads directly to the modern suburb of Makrikeui. This location fits the distance precisely and agrees fully with the ancient descriptions of the Hebdomon.
Natural Features of the Site
The physical features of Makrikeui provide further confirmation. Between the promontory of Makrikeui and the promontory of Zeitin Bournou to the east lies a natural bay, well suited to serve as a harbour. Ancient sources tell us that the Hebdomon had a harbour, and this bay matches that requirement perfectly.
To the north and north-east of Makrikeui stretches a wide and open plain. This plain corresponds exactly to the Campus of the Hebdomon, which played an important role in imperial ceremonies, military assemblies, and public events.
All the evidence points in one direction. The seven miles were measured from the ancient centre of Byzantium, most probably from the Milion. When this distance is applied, the location reached is Makrikeui. Its coastal position, its harbour, and its extensive plain fulfill every condition described in the historical sources.
