Dig Into History

5

Underlying tensions between the two led to the Battle
of Chrysopolis in 324C.E. Licinius surrendered and
was later executed, leaving Constantine the sole ruler
of a re-united empire. Seeking to strengthen his rule
and the imperial structure, he undertook to give the
empire a new capital and center of gravity. He chose
the site of Byzantium on the Bosporus.
The site was well chosen. Close to the geographic
center of the empire, it had an excellent harbor and
was almost entirely surrounded by water. As a result,

the city was ideally situated to become an

administrative, commercial, and military hub. A

massive rebuilding and expansion project began.

The city was expanded to four times what the size of

Byzantium had been. In addition, it was walled,

gated, and ornamented to befit its new dignity. In

330 C.E., the city was consecrated as Nova Roma,

“New Rome,” and came to be called Constantinople,

bearing the name of the man who gave it new life.

Standing Tall

The strength and magnificence of Constantinople

finds ample testimony in its subsequent history.

While numerous enemies attacked it, many centuries

would pass before any would cross its threshold in

arms. A city of culture and beauty, it supported art,

literature, and learning. The Western Empire would

pass away, and still it would remain, floating upon

waves of turmoil and war like an ark of civilization.

Thus, Constantinople preserved the glories of the

ancient world for later generations.

What’s in a Name?

Byzantium was said to have been founded in the

seventh centuryƊƋƍ by a man named Byzas, the

leader of colonists from Megara and other Greek

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Megarans to build a city “opposite the land of the

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Chalcedon to the east of the Bosporus and the fact

that they, when searching for a new site to form a

colony, had failed to see the advantages of land on

the western shore — that is, the land Byzas chose as

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by Justin D. Lyons

This dramatic

scene, painted

between 1500

and 1524, vividly

captures

Constantine's

victory at the

Milvian Bridge.