Since the city was on a peninsula, that made it easier to defend. Only one direction had to be protected by land.
they got horny
A lot
Once trade had opened up in the 1500's, both Europe as well as Asia benefited from expanded trade. As a result of the link, the Europeans first instituted the mercantilist system.
Its limited agricultural land and burgeoning population meant that it had to expand - by conquest or trade. They chose trade.
The location was ideal for trade from both sea and inland sources.
Monks and nuns spread Byzantine influence through their missionary work.
Some consquences was that the mountains could get mudslides, volcanes. The lakes could block trade...
Where to trade to in the world.
land
the cultrure influence by giving to most uplifing thing
Romans, Greeks, and Christians.
Byzantine