330 THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

heavy taxation and of the two fires. A trivial incident, men- tioned by IS^icetas, shows how great was the irritation. The mob broke np one of the finest statues in the city — a repre- sentation of Minerva in bronze, which stood in the great square of Constantine. The statue faced to the west, and in the im- agination of the people appeared to be beckoning the natives of the West towards Xew Eome. The Crusaders were still encamped in Galata, and after the crusadersand Aig^^t of the forcigu residents do not appear to have pSsSpay- entered the city. They were becoming impatient °^^"'- to be paid. Alexis let them have what he could. But the money only came in driblets, "pauvre petits paye- ments," as Yillehardouin calls them. Alexis was doing his best to satisfy his former friends. Their protection had be- come as dangerous as their enmity, and Alexis would proba- bly now have been glad to get rid of them. The two emper- ors endeavored again to levy a tax upon the city, but the peo- ple rose against it. They therefore did their best to raise the sum necessary from the wealthy class of the population, and by melting down the gold and silver vessels, chandeliers, and other valuable metallic furniture of the churches. Meantime the Crusaders were helping themselves. They were natural- ly, says Nicetas, the enemies of every kind of beauty. They went about in bands, and plundered the beautiful villas of the wealthy nobles and the rich churches w^hich were on the neighboring shores of the Marmora. It pleased them even to burn and destroy many of the villas. The inhabitants re- sisted, and sent to the city for soldiers to defend their homes. Xo help was, however, there to be obtained. The monk-rid- den and imbecile old emperor was powerless. The worthless and inexperienced youth was unable or unwilling to assist them. Eeproaches were addressed almost daily by the Cru- saders to the emperors, but without effect, except to bring in new " pauvre petits payements." * Indeed, during ^November ^ Villchardouin, xlv. Yillehardouin says Alexis commenced to pay immediately after the coronation (1st August, 1203). The payments to the army enabled those who had not paid to repay what had been i:)aid. for them at Venice (xL).