There can be no serious doubt that the Hebdomon was situated on the shore of the Sea of Marmora. Several independent historical accounts clearly show that ships approaching Constantinople from the south encountered the Hebdomon before they reached the city itself. This order of arrival is important, because it proves that the suburb lay directly on the sea route leading to the capital.
These accounts are not isolated or vague. They come from different centuries and describe very different events, yet all agree on the same geographical fact Where Were the Seven Miles Measured From?.
The Arrival of Epiphanius in 402
One of the clearest examples comes from the journey of Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis in Cyprus. In the year 402, he sailed to Constantinople to take part in a synod that had been convened to condemn the teachings of Origen. According to the historical record, Epiphanius landed first at the Hebdomon.
After disembarking, he celebrated divine service in the Church of St. John the Baptist, which stood in that suburb. Only after this religious observance did he proceed into the city itself. This sequence of events is significant. A traveller arriving by ship would naturally land at a coastal location. The fact that Epiphanius could land at the Hebdomon and hold a service there before entering Constantinople shows clearly that the Hebdomon lay on the seashore.
Phocas and the Fleet of Heraclius
Another strong piece of evidence comes from events in 610, during the struggle between Emperor Phocas and Heraclius. When Heraclius sailed from Carthage with a fleet to overthrow the emperor, Phocas went out to the Hebdomon to observe the approaching ships.
He remained there while the hostile fleet lay offshore, watching their movements. Only when the ships advanced closer to the city did Phocas mount his horse and rush back to Constantinople to prepare for battle. Such behavior would have been impossible unless the Hebdomon stood beside the Sea of Marmora, with a clear view of approaching vessels Guided Tours Sofia.
Saracen Fleets and the Harbour of the Hebdomon
Further proof is provided by the Saracen attacks on Constantinople in 673 and 717. On both occasions, the enemy fleets made use of the harbour of the Hebdomon as they approached the city.
The chronicler Theophanes records that during the first attack, the Saracen ships anchored “off Thrace, from the promontory of the Hebdomon, also called Magnaura, to the promontory of the Cyclobion.” During the second expedition, the fleet again anchored “between the Magnaura and the Cyclobion,” where it remained for two days.
When a favorable south wind arose, the ships sailed along the coast toward Constantinople. Some entered the harbours of Anthemius and Eutropius near modern Kadıköy, while others reached the Bosporus and anchored between Galata and Klidion (modern Ortaköy).
Final Conclusion on the Location
These repeated and consistent accounts leave no room for doubt. The Hebdomon lay west of Constantinople, directly on the Sea of Marmora, and was encountered by ships before they reached the city. The evidence from religious journeys, imperial actions, and naval campaigns all point to the same conclusion. The Hebdomon was not an inland suburb, but a coastal one, firmly connected to the sea.
