Magnaura

The Magnaura (Medieval Greek: Μαγναύρα, possibly from Latin Magna Aula, "Great Hall"[1]) was a large building in Constantinople, next to the Great Palace.[2] It is equated by scholars with the building that housed the Senate, and which was located east of the Augustaion, close to the Hagia Sophia and next to the Chalke gate. A large gate, described by Procopius, probably made out of marble led into a peristyle courtyard which led to the Magnaura.

The building, a basilica with three naves, was subsequently used as a throne room and a reception hall for foreign embassies. Emperors held large assemblies in this location, particularly at the atrium area on the western side.[3] For instance, the annual ceremony called the silention or the beginning of Lent, included the entire imperial household and bureaucracy arrayed along the great staircase of the Magnaura.[3] Scholars described it as a material projection of Byzantine imperial power over all subjects of the oikoumene.[4]

In ca. 855, the Caesar Bardas established in the palace a school (ekpaideutērion). However, this was not the University of Constantinople, but rather a Philosophical school, because the University of Constantinople was created during the time of Theodosius II in 425 AD.