Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
The city of Byzantium was built on the European side of the Strait of Bosporus in the 7th century BC.The Roman emperor changed it to Nova Nova (New Rome) hundreds of years later.Constantinople was renamed Istanbul in honor of its Roman founder in the 20th century.
Constantinople is located on the Bosporus River, which is the boundary between Asia and Europe.It was easy to get to other parts of the Roman Empire via the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Dnieper River.The Silk Road and Constantinople were both accessible via land routes.The city claims 7 hills, a rocky terrain that had limited earlier use of a site so important for sea trade.
The Emperor of the Roman Empire was named Diocletian.He split the empire into eastern and western parts, with a ruler for each part.Constantine rose to power in the west, while Diocletian ruled the east.Constantine became the sole emperor of Rome after defeating the eastern empire in the Battle of Milvian Bridge.
The city of Byzantium was chosen by Constantine.It was located near the center of the Empire and had a good harbor.It was easy to defend and reach.Constantine spent a lot of money to turn his capital into a great city.He added a complex water supply and storage system.
Constantinople became the first great Christian city during the reign of Justinian.After a number of political and military upheavals, it became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.
The city of Byzantium was enlarged by Constantine, the emperor who encouraged Christianity in the Roman Empire.The defensive wall was put up along the west side of the city.There were natural defenses on the other side of the city.In 330, Constantine inaugurated the city as his capital.