Did you know that Istanbul was once the capital of the Roman Empire? Yes, the actual Roman Empire—legions, emperors, gladiators, the whole shebang! You’d be surprised how few visitors realize it.
Introduction
While people flock to Rome or Athens for their ancient ruins, they often arrive in Istanbul without knowing that, for 65 remarkable years (330-395 AD), this city was the capital of the entire Roman Empire. Not just an outpost, not just the “eastern capital”—for a time, this was the beating heart of Roman power, where emperors ruled and history was rewritten. Istanbul wasn’t just a footnote; it was a city that anchored an empire. Join us as we dive into this hidden legacy—the Roman heart of Istanbul—and uncover the marvels that await in the ancient streets of Constantinople.
Table of Contents
The Empire Business
When we think of Istanbul, we often think of the splendor of the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman legacy that followed. Yet, there is an even deeper layer to this city’s history—the Roman Empire’s indelible mark on what would become Constantinople. Long before Istanbul became the Ottoman capital, it was a prized Roman city—even before the rise of the Byzantine Empire—a jewel connecting East and West, and a vital hub of culture, commerce, and faith. For 65 years, from 330 to 395, Nova Roma — or New Rome, as Emperor Constantine the Great envisioned it — served as the capital of the entire Roman Empire. Join us as we dive into Constantinople’s fascinating Roman period and explore the legacy that laid the foundations for the Byzantine Empire.
Timeline and Control of Byzantion (660 BCE to 74 BCE)
- Greeks (Megara): Founded around 660 BCE and controlled for several centuries.
- Persians: Controlled the city starting from around 512 BCE until the Persian Empire’s decline.
- Athenians: Dominated Byzantion as part of the Delian League after the Persian defeat (478 BCE), though their influence declined after the Peloponnesian War.
- Spartans and Persians: Had influence during the 5th and early 4th centuries BCE.
- Macedonians (Alexander and Successors): Dominated in the 4th century BCE.
- Romans: Took full control in 74 BCE.
From Kingdom to Province: Nicomedes IV and the Roman Presence (74 BC)
Our journey begins in 74 BC, a pivotal moment that would eventually draw Byzantium into Rome’s sphere of influence.
Nicomedes IV, the last king of Bithynia, allied himself with Rome to secure his throne. On his death, he bequeathed his kingdom to the Roman Senate, making Bithynia a Roman province and placing Byzantium on the edge of the expanding Roman Republic.
However, this transfer of power was not without opposition. Many Bithynians were uneasy about Roman rule, and significant factions sided with Mithridates VI of Pontus. In a twist of ancient politics, Byzantium found itself in a delicate position, caught between a powerful Roman Republic and a formidable local force. Whether Byzantium sided with Pontus or tried to remain neutral, the outcome was the same: Rome was here to stay.
Battle of Chalcedon: The First Test (74 BC)
Only months after Bithynia’s bequeathal, the tension erupted into the Battle of Chalcedon—a naval confrontation just across from Byzantium. Here, the Pontian Navy delivered a rare defeat to Roman forces, briefly halting Rome’s expansion. For Byzantium, this battle highlighted the city’s vulnerability and its strategic value. As the Roman Republic recalibrated, the Pontians seized the opportunity to take control of key Hellespont cities.
Byzantium may have attempted neutrality, but as this battle shows, neutrality was not always an option in the ancient world. The city would soon find itself more firmly within the Roman orbit, though perhaps reluctantly.
196 AD: The Severan Demolition and Reconstruction
After nearly two centuries under Rome’s growing influence, Byzantium found itself drawn directly into the Roman Empire’s power struggles. In 196 AD, Emperor Septimius Severus targeted Byzantium during his civil war against Pescennius Niger, who had used the city as a stronghold. Furious over the city’s resistance, Severus besieged and captured Byzantium, ordering the demolition of its original city walls and leaving it vulnerable to future attacks.
However, recognizing Byzantium’s strategic significance, Severus later restored and even expanded the city. This reconstruction laid the groundwork for later enhancements, setting the stage for Constantine’s grand transformation of the city a century later. The Other Tour will guide you through the remnants of these fortifications, which became an essential foundation for the later, more extensive walls of Constantinople.
Gothic Invasion: The Destruction of Chalcedon
Despite Roman strength, the Empire faced ongoing threats from external forces. In the mid-3rd century, Gothic invaders stormed the region, devastating nearby cities. Chalcedon, the site of earlier Roman-Pontian conflicts, fell victim to these raids, underscoring Byzantium’s vulnerability to barbarian invasions. This destruction marked another chapter in the city’s early history, highlighting the constant pressure on Rome to maintain control over these strategic eastern territories.
These events remind us that Byzantium was not yet the fortified imperial capital it would become. Still, each trial emphasized the city’s value and would eventually motivate Rome to strengthen its defenses.
Constantine’s Vision: The Founding of Constantinople (324 AD)
Fast forward to the early 4th century. The Roman Empire was changing, and so was Byzantium. By 324 AD, Emperor Constantine the Great had won a series of civil wars, uniting the empire under his rule. Recognizing Byzantium’s strategic importance, Constantine chose it as the site of his new capital. He renamed it Constantinople and set about transforming the city into a metropolis worthy of the empire.
With ambitious building projects, Constantine gave the city a new identity. Walls were strengthened, new forums were built, and early Christian basilicas marked a shift from Rome’s pagan roots. For the first time, an eastern city rivaled Rome’s grandeur. Constantinople was more than a city; it was a symbol of a united Roman Empire.
Roman Sites You Can Visit:
- The Hippodrome: Begun under Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and expanded by Constantine, the Hippodrome became the social and sporting heart of the city. It remains an iconic site in Sultanahmet Square today.
With The Other Tour, you’ll trace the remnants of Constantine’s vision throughout Istanbul, from the original walls to the Hippodrome. Our guides will show you how Constantine’s legacy can still be seen today, even as Istanbul has evolved over centuries.
Constantinople as the Roman Capital (324–395 AD)
For nearly 70 years, Constantinople stood as the beating heart of the Roman Empire in the East. During this period, the city became a bustling center of trade, culture, and religion, embodying the power of Rome while developing a distinct Eastern identity. This was a time of monumental architecture, from ceremonial forums to grand public spaces, reflecting the empire’s ambitions.
Roman Sites You Can Visit:
- The Column of Constantine: Erected in 330 AD to mark Constantinople’s dedication as the Roman capital, this column still stands in Istanbul, a direct link to Constantine’s era and the Roman triumphs celebrated here.
- Basilica Cistern: Built in the 4th century to store water for the growing city, the Basilica Cistern is an engineering marvel from the Roman period. It’s one of the most atmospheric sites in Istanbul, with its vast arches and rows of columns.
Constantinople’s Roman legacy is preserved in many of its structures and city layout, which visitors can explore today.
The Fall of the Western Roman Empire and the Rise of Byzantium (395 AD and Beyond)
In 395 AD, the Roman Empire formally divided into eastern and western halves, with Constantinople becoming the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD left Constantinople as the world’s last beacon of Roman civilization. Here, Roman traditions and innovations blended with Eastern influences, giving rise to what we now call the Byzantine Empire.
This transition was not sudden but gradual, as Constantinople retained much of its Roman heritage even as it began to forge a unique Byzantine identity.
Explore Constantinople’s Roman Legacy with The Other Tour
Constantinople’s Roman era is more than a precursor to the Byzantine Empire; it’s a foundational chapter in Istanbul’s history. This period gave birth to the city’s enduring legacy as a crossroads of civilizations, a cultural melting pot, and a symbol of imperial power.
With The Other Tour, you’ll explore this ancient world through the eyes of expert guides who bring history to life. From the city’s Roman origins to its Byzantine transformation, our tours offer an unforgettable journey through Istanbul’s layered past.
Book a guided tour today to see Roman-era marvels like Theodosian Walls, the Hippodrome, the Column of Constantine, and the Basilica Cistern. Discover the Roman marvels, the remnants of imperial ambition, and the stories that shaped one of the world’s greatest cities. Join us as we bring the fascinating Roman legacy of Constantinople to life.
Wow, what an interesting post! I never thought of Istanbul as the capital of the actual Roman Empire!! Can’t wait to visit this Summer!!!