Constantine moved the capital of the Empire?

Answer 1

He moved the capital to Byzantium, which was renamed Constantinople later.

Constantine renamed Byzantium Roma Nova, but the name did not catch on. People preferred to call it Constantinople This was the new capital of the east. The previous one was Nicodemia, in northwest Turkey, not far from Constantinople. Milan was the capital of the west and Rome continued to be the nominal capital of the empire.

Answer 2

First of all, Rome had ceased to be imperial capital under the previous emperor, Diocletian. He designated Nicomedia in (north-western Turkey) as the imperial capital of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, and Milan as the imperial capital of the western part of the empire. Constantine basically moved his capital from Nicomedia to the nearby Byzantium (69 miles further west), which he redeveloped and renamed Constantinople (City of Constantine).

The Roman tradition does not actually say why Constantine wanted to move his capital. A highly likely reason was Propaganda, which Constantine was very good at. He had even invented a fictitious descent from the family of a previous emperor to give legitimacy to his quest for power. A new capital named after himself would give him further prestige and act as a symbol of the new dawn for the empire his rule would usher in. Besides being named after Constantine, the city was also given titles such as "The New, Second Rome,' 'Eastern Rome,' 'Alma Roma,' and 'Roma Constantinopolitana.' Moreover, Byzantium had seven hills like Rome. This created a similarity with Rome which helped to justify the titles mentioned above.

Constantine had originally considered Sirmium (in modern day Serbia) for his new capital. Then he opted for Byzantium. Various factors may have favoured this choice, besides the seven hills. This city was on the route between Europe and Asia like Nicomedia, but it was in a better strategic position. The roads from south-eastern Europe to Asia converged there. It was on the Bosporus, the strait between Europe and Asia and between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Therefore, it controlled the naval route between these two seas as well as the Europe-Asia route. Equally importantly, it was also easy to defend. The city was on a promontory into the Bosporus. Therefore, it had water on three sides. The hilly terrain helped to defend the part of the city which was not on the seafront or along the Golden Horn. The Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosporus on the northern side of the promontory, provided a coast which went deeper inland, thus creating a very good harbour, which was also important.

Answer 3

Yes, he did. He moved the capitol to a city he rebuilt and named after himself, Constantinople.

Answer 4

Constantine made the Greek colony of Byzantium the new capital of the Roman Empire. He changed its name to Constantinople, which later, in turn, became Istanbul.

Answer 5

Constantine redeveloped Byzantium in Greece and renamed it Constantinople after himself (it means City of Constantine).

Answer 6

Constantine moved the capital to Byzantium, which subsequently was renamed Constantinople.

Answer 7

Byzantium, renamed Constantinople, today Istanbul.

Answer 8

byzantium (constantinople)

Answer 9

east part of roman empire; now turkey