Constantinople

The Founding and Legacy of Constantinople

• Social mobility and acceptance of all races in the Byzantine Empire were achievable through Greek name translations, but later, racial and class distinctions caused friction.
• Constantinople was established by Emperor Constantine the Great, who relocated his seat of power there in 324 C.E.
• Emperor Constantine built robust defenses for the city, including a harbor chain and a protective wall, and brought in more citizens by providing water and food.
• Initially named Nova Roma or New Rome, Constantinople was founded to associate Constantine with the power of the unified Roman Empire.
• The Byzantine Empire started with Constantine's move to New Rome, which was attractive due to reduced corruption, proximity to Persians, and the ability to accommodate a large population.
• Constantinople became the center of the Christian religion and the head of the Catholic Church under Emperor Constantine's authorization.
• The Byzantine Empire eventually lost control of its Western territories, but Constantinople thrived as the center of the Eastern territories until its destruction by the Ottoman Turks in 1453.
• Constantinople's central location in the Byzantine Empire allowed the emperor to lead the Eastern territories and was the site of great architectural and cultural works.
• Constantinople's strategic location on the Silk Road made it a hub for commerce between Europe and Asia, accumulating vast wealth for the city and the empire.
• Despite the prosperity from trade, traders were not highly regarded in the Byzantine Empire's hierarchy.
• The Hagia Sophia, commissioned by Justinian, was a monumental basilica with revolutionary architectural techniques and impressive artwork, later converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Turks.
• The Hippodrome of Constantinople, built for chariot racing by Septimus Severus, expanded to host various public events, reflecting the city's cultural significance.