The settlement history of Istanbul goes back to the Paleolithic Age. The first settlement of Istanbul began in the 7"' century B.C. when the Megarians fled from the Dorian occupation of Greece to come here and establish a town. The Megarians crossed the Marmara Sea and settled down in a town they founded called Chalcedon (modern-day Kadikoy in 680 B.C.). The commander of the Megarians, Byzas, who was from Thrace, led some of them to settle down on the opposite coast of Chalcedon around what is known today as Sarayburnu. This town, which was named 'Byzantium' was to expand rapidly through the next two centuries. The Chalcedonians were farming while the Byzantines deal with trade-Byzantium became an important city whose money was much in demand among the Greek colonies of the 5th century B.C. However. Byzantium's independence was brief. It was first
The Founder of Byzantium, Byzas
invaded by the Persians in 513 B.C. then it joined the Delian League in 476 B.C. The city was invaded once more, by the Spartans in the year 405 B.C. Byzantium was taken over in 318 B.C. by one of the commanders of Alexander the Great, Antigonus. In the meantime, the Kingdom of Bithynia was founded on land situated between the Bosphorus and Sakarya. Invaded by the Galatians in 280 B.C.. the city demanded protection from Rome.
Constantlne Lhe Great
Byzantium became a dependent of Rome after the Bithynian King Nicomedes VI bequeathed his country to that empire.
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CONSTANTINE THE GREAT
Roman Emperor Constantine I proclaimed his city the capital city in 330. The reasons which influenced Constantine I to select Byzantium as his capital were that it was strongly protected and was also developed from a commercial standpoint.
Constantine started to re-zone the city in 325 and laid the foundation for the walls in 323. The city was expanded and many public works were rebuilt, whereas the inaugural ceremonies were held on 11 May. 330. Although the name 'Nea Roma' meaning New Rome was first given to the city, it denizens always referred to it by the name of its founder, Constantinople. The name was the same in European languages as well with the Germans calling it 'Konstan-tinopel', the British and French calling it 'Constantinople' while the Italians called it 'Constantinopoli.' Though Constantine was an idol worshipper, he readily accepted Christianity, which was rapidly spreading through the world during that period as the official religion to be worshipped freely. Thus. Constantinople was not only the most important cultural and art center of Christianity but hold a leading position in commerce and politics as well throughout the Middle Ages.
Thracians were settled in the city from the beginning of 4"1 century and the population steadily increased to the point where it exceeded 100,000 by the 5"1 century. As a consequence Constantinople, which was comprised of 14 districts, became even more crowded than Rome.
Invaded by the Huns in the year 440, the city was to experience several civil wars, rebellions and political agitation for many years to come.
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 THE JUSTINIAN ERA
Justinian I (527-65) transformed Constantinople into a grand city during the 6lh century. Under Justinian, the greatest of all Byzantine emperors, the empire reached its greatest borders. Besides Syria, Palestine and Anatolia, Greece, Balkans, Italy and Egypt were all taken into the borders of the empire. The Byzantine Empire was never to reach the glory of Justinian Age again. Like all his predecessors, Justinian also accepted Christianity and defended the Orthodox Alliance against all protesting Christians. Thanks to him the foundations of the European Justice
System were laid down by bringing together Roman private and public legal regulations.
During the period of raclius who succeeded Justinian (610-717) the empire was plunged into chaos due to religious quarreling and bureaucracy with Rome. The most noteworthy event of this period was the victory won against Iranians.
During the period of Leo III, he found himself in a fight with the empire that went as far as eliminating religious symbols and breaking the statues and pictures of the saints.
During all this time, Constantinople encountered attacks by hordes of Slavs, Arabs, Bulgarians, Persians and Russians but was able to evade occupation thanks to a strong city defence secured by both the city walls and Byzantine fleet.
The Byzantine Empire returned to its glory days during the reign of the Macedonian Vasilius I who used brute force to take power. He transformed the government into a mighty institution and also added southern Italy within the borders of the empire.
Between 1000-1054, because of the schism between Greek and Latin churches, the political power of the Byzantines declined and the empire weakened under the impact of this internal dissention.
The Byzantine army was defeated by the Seljuks in 1071 at Malizkert and the Byzantines lost Anatolia after that major rout. Meanwhile, a new and even a bigger danger loomed ahead for the Byzantines. The final and most violent of the continual wars between the Byzantine Empire and the Crusaders occurred at that time. A new Crusader Army was established as per the request of Pope Innocent III. This time, the Fourth Crusade was not aimed at Jerusalem but rather the Byzantines with the last stop as Constantinople. The city which was invaded in 1204, destroyed, looted and reduced to ashes after a fire which lasted for two days and two nights. Then the city, which became the center of the Latin Empire. was kept under occupation until 1261.
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AND THE OTTOMAN ERA.. |
