The Old Ones seemed to realise this falling off themselves; and in many cases anticipated the policy of Constantine the Great by transplanting especially fine blocks of ancient carving from their land city, just as the emperor, in a similar age of decline, stripped Greece and Asia of their finest art to give his new Byzantine capital greater splendours than its own people could create.
Konstantino Handiak askoz geroago egingo zuen bezala: antzeko gainbehera-garai batean, Grezia eta Asiari beren arterik bikainena kendu zien Bizantzio hiriburu berriari bere herriak eman ziezaiokeen baino distira handiagoa eskaintzeko.