Paul Silentiarius, in dark and poetic language,
describes the various stones and marbles that were employed in
the edifice of St. Sophia, (P. ii. p. 129, 133, etc., etc.:)
The Carystian - pale, with iron veins.
The Phrygian - of two sorts, both of a rosy hue; the one with
a white shade, the other purple, with silver flowers.
The Porphyry of Egypt - with small stars.
The green marble of Laconia.
The Carian - from Mount Iassis, with oblique veins, white and
red.
The Lydian - pale, with a red flower.
The African, or Mauritanian - of a gold or saffron hue.
The Celtic - black, with white veins.
The Bosphoric - white, with black edges.
Besides the Proconnesian which formed the pavement; the Thessalian, Molossian, etc., which are less distinctly painted.