When Constantine first chose the old Greek city of Byzantium as the place for his new capital, he was aware of its advantages. The Roman Empire depended on trade, and the great centers of trade lay to the east. Byzantium was on the waterway between the Black and Aegean seas. Its harbor offered a safe haven for fishing boats, merchant ships, and warships. The city sat at the crossroads of the trading routes between Europe and Asia. Its location gave it control of the sea trade between Kievan Rus and the Mediterranean area. One of the most important east-west land routes passed through the city, too.
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Constantine I
C. 288 A. D.-337 A. D.
Roman Emperor
Born in what is now Serbia, Constantine grew up the son of a Roman army officer. In 305 A. D., he became the co-emperor of Rome, but he continued to fight alongside the troops. During one battle, he saw a vision that convinced him to become the first Roman Emperor to accept Christianity. In 324 A. D., he triumphed as sole ruler of Rome and ordered a new capital city built at Byzantium. His rule helped ensure the eastward spread of Christianity.
The location also favored the city's defense. The sea protected it on three sides, and a huge wall protected it on the fourth side. Later, a huge chain was even strung across the city's north harbor for greater protection. Invaders would not easily take the new capital, which was renamed Constantinople.
It took more than four years to build Constantinople. Constantine modeled it after Rome. The city stood on seven hills. Government buildings and palaces were designed in the Roman style. Streets were narrow and apartment houses crowded. Constantinople even had an oval arena like the Circus Maximus where races and other events were held.
The city's political and social life was patterned on that of Rome, too. The emperor operated under Roman laws and ruled with the help of highly trained officials, who took charge of building roads, bridges, wells, and caravan shelters. The army followed Roman military customs. The poor people of Constantinople received free bread and enjoyed circuses and chariot races put on by the government. The wealthy people lived in town or on large farming estates. In fact, Constantine convinced many of the wealthy Romans to move to Constantinople by offering to build them palaces.
CONSTANTINOPLE Constantinople's location made it an important center for trade. The wealth from this trade was used to make Constantinople an ornate and beautiful city. Citizens shown in this painting gather to watch a royal procession. Why was Constantinople called the "new Rome"?
The family was the center of social life for most Byzantines. The majority of them made their living through farming, herding, or working as laborers. There was, however, one important difference between Constantinople and Rome. From the beginning, Constantinople was a Christian city. It had been dedicated to God by Constantine, who viewed it as the center of a great Christian empire. Church leaders were consulted about all important events of everyday life and had great influence over the people. For a young man of Constantinople, a career in the church was considered a very high goal.
Constantinople had many Christian churches. Constantine saw to it that they were the most magnificent buildings in the city. Government and church leaders gathered relics (rel' iks), or valued holy objects from the past, from throughout the Christian world. These were placed in public monuments, palaces, and churches. The bodies of saints rested in beautiful shrines. Thousands of people came to these shrines to pray to God for cures for their ills.
The city's Christian values could be seen in the way needy people were treated. The Byzantines believed that each Christian was responsible for the well-being of other Christians. Wealthy Byzantines formed organizations to care for the poor, the aged, and the blind. Even members of the emperor's household took great pride in founding and supporting good causes.
About 600,000 people lived in Constantinople during Constantine's rule. There were Greeks, Turks, Italians, Slavs, Persians, Armenians, and Jews. They spoke Greek among themselves but used Latin, the official language, for government business. Most people became Christians, and all called themselves Romans. Byzantine nobles and rulers continued to boast of their ties to Rome for the next 1,100 years.
Byzantine Coins
Reading Check
What are relics,
And why did they attract thousands of people to Constantinople?
Student Web Activity
Visit the Human Heritage Web site at humanheritaae. alencoe. com
And click on Chapter 21— Student Web Activities to
Find out more about the city of Constantinople.
Graphic Organizer Activity
5. Draw this diagram, and use it to compare the cities of Rome and Constantinople.
1. Define: relics.
2. Why did Constantine choose Byzantium as the site for the empire's new capital?
3. How could the influence of Christianity be seen in the city?
4. Demonstrating Reasoned Judgment
In your opinion, what were some of the good things about living in Constantinople?
¦y Reading Check
What is theology?
Theodora Although Theodora was the daughter of a bear-keeper with a traveling circus, her strong will took her as far as the royal court. Justinian's court historian commented: "She never did anything at any time as the result of persuasion. . . .
She claimed the right to govern the whole Roman Empire.”
World History
