The style known as Byzantine is a development of the early classic Greek mixed with Roman and Oriental influences. It developed in Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Empire. Rich furniture adorned the homes of the great. It is worth noting that the old custom of reclining at meals ceased and people sat on benches. Ivory entered largely in the decoration of furniture, and beautiful tapestries and cushions were plentiful. The most remarkable relic of the Byzantine period is the famous chair of St. Peter, which authorities agree is genuine. It is now preserved in St. Peter's Church in Rome, but is entirely covered with a bronze casing, made by Bernini in 1667 from bronze taken from the Pantheon. According to tradition this relic belonged to Senator Pudens, an early convert to Christianity, who gave to the Church his house in Rome over which now stands the Church of St. Puden-ziana. The chair was given by Pudens to St. Peter, and it became the throne of the See. It is square, with solid front and arms. The square front is thirty-nine inches wide and thirty inches high, and is embellished with eighteen groups taken from the Gospels, beautifully carved in ivory and inlaid with pure gold. The chair itself is made of wood, overlaid with carved ivory and gold, and bound together with iron.