The original community, called Byzantium, was settled by Greek colonists about 660 B.C. In 330 A.D. Roman emperor Constantine (I) the Great built a new capital, named New Rome but soon known as Constantinople, at Byzantium. As capital of the Eastern Roman, or Byzantine, Empire, Constantinople became the world's richest city, with a population of some 600,000 at the time of Justinian the Great, 527–65. It was a center of trade and culture. Justinian rebuilt much of the city; among his splendid new structures was Hagia Sophia. Constantinople was well fortified. Its inhabitants repulsed attacks by Avars and Arabs in the 7th century, Arabs again in the 8th, Bulgars in the 9th, Russians in the 10th, and Turks in the 11th. New conflict developed when the Crusaders began coming from Europe to free the Holy Land from the Muslims. The Roman Catholic Crusaders regarded the Eastern Orthodox Byzantines as heretics. In 1204 the Fourth Crusade was suddenly turned against Constantinople, and the city fell to the Crusaders. Its buildings were looted and destroyed, its libraries burned, and its golden art objects melted down. The bronze horses from the Hippodrome were carried off to Venice to adorn St. Mark's. Constantinople served as capital of the Latin Empire (the Crusader realm) until 1261, when the Byzantines regained control. Although the city resumed its brilliant cultural and social life, it never recovered from the devastation of the Fourth Crusade. Many of the great buildings stood in ruins, the money for repairs increasingly scarce as the empire shrank before the advance of the Ottoman Turks. In 1347 the Black Death wiped out about a third of the population. A fire destroyed much of the city in 1434, and an earthquake damaged it further in 1440. Still, Constantinople withstood periodic attacks from the Ottomans. At last in 1453 the Turks had taken all the empire but the capital itself. They needed to gain control of the Golden Horn (the harbor) in order to attack by sea as well as by land, but found the Bosporus entrance to it impregnable. So they built a road from the Bosporus to the harbor, lifted their warships onto wheeled cradles, and hauled them overland. Five weeks later the city fell. As capital of the Ottoman Empire, Constantinople flourished again. It was lavishly rebuilt and restored to its prime position in world commerce. The Turks often called it Istanbul, or Stamboul. When the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923, Ankara was made the capital, and in 1930 Constantinople was given its present name. (source: http://geography.howstuffworks.com/middle-east/geography-of-istanbul.htm/printable)
Constantinople was a major center of culture, learning, and, most of all, trade.
Because of its capital Constantinople had a cultural diffusion. This capital Constantinople was a center of trade. and was located in the crossroads of Europe and Asia
Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.
Constantinople.
Constantinople, was the political capital of the Byzantine Empire. It was also the religious center being the see of the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople.
Constantine established Constantinople in the year 330 AD. He chose the site of the ancient city of Byzantium and transformed it into a new capital for the Roman Empire, renaming it Constantinople. The city became a significant center for trade, culture, and politics, and later served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
Constantinople was a major center of culture, learning, and, most of all, trade.
Because of its capital Constantinople had a cultural diffusion. This capital Constantinople was a center of trade. and was located in the crossroads of Europe and Asia
Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, which arose from the eastern part of the Roman Empire after its division. Founded by Emperor Constantine the Great in 330 AD, the city became a major cultural and economic center, reflecting the empire’s blend of Roman and Greek influences. The Byzantine Empire, known for its Christian orientation, governance, and art, thrived in Constantinople until its fall in 1453. Thus, Constantinople served as the heart of Byzantine power and culture.
Rome and Constantinople became centers of Christianity. Rome became the center of Western Catholic Christianity and Constantinople became the center of Eastern, Orthodox Christianity
The center of Aztec culture was in the city of Tenochtitlan, located on an island in Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec Empire and served as the political, economic, and religious center of the civilization.
Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.Constantine moved the capitol which was the center of power to Constantinople, the city he named after himself.
Constantinople.
Constantinople
It was and is in Constantinople (Istanbul).
Constantinople, was the political capital of the Byzantine Empire. It was also the religious center being the see of the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople.
Constantinople has always been prized due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, making it a vital hub for trade and military movements. Its natural harbor and defensible walls contributed to its significance as a center of commerce and culture. Additionally, as the capital of the Byzantine Empire and later the Ottoman Empire, it served as a focal point for political power and religious authority, attracting diverse populations and influencing the surrounding regions.