HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT
"Southeastern Turkey, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, was one one of the cradles of civilization.
The fertile plains of Anatolia nurtured Neolithic cultures nearly 10,000 years ago...the city now known as Istanbul was founded under the name Byzantium, in the 7th century B.C."
-National Geographic, Istanbul & Western Turkey
The fertile plains of Anatolia nurtured Neolithic cultures nearly 10,000 years ago...the city now known as Istanbul was founded under the name Byzantium, in the 7th century B.C."
-National Geographic, Istanbul & Western Turkey
The Roman Empire (330-395 CE)
In the 300s, Byzantium became a part of the Roman Empire and Constantine the Great set his goals to transform the whole city. In the year 330, Constantine changed the name of the city from Byzantium to Constantinople, and declared it the capital of the entire Roman Empire.
In the 300s, Byzantium became a part of the Roman Empire and Constantine the Great set his goals to transform the whole city. In the year 330, Constantine changed the name of the city from Byzantium to Constantinople, and declared it the capital of the entire Roman Empire.
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Map of the Roman Empire in 150 AD, with Constantinople as it's capital.
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The division of the Roman Empire into East and West Empires at the death of Theodosius in 395.
The Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453 CE)
Following the division of the Roman Empire in 395, Constantinople became the capital of the Byzantine Empire and became a center of culture, commerce, and diplomacy. Following the Nika Revolt of 532, Constantinople was destroyed and rebuilt with a passion to become the center for the Greek Orthodox Church and many fascinating monuments were built, including the Hagia Sophia.
The Latin Empire (1204-1261)
The prospering Constantinople became a target for many attacks, and in 1204 the Catholic Latin Empire took control of the city. After ruling for almost 60 years, Latins lost control and power was returned back to the Byzantine Empire in 1261. Around the same time, Ottoman Turks began to conquer many of the cities around Constantinople.
The Ottoman Empire (1453-1922)
Constantinople was officially conquered by the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Mehmet II, on May 29, 1453. Immediately after taking control, Constantine was renamed as Istanbul and declared as the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Sultan Mehmet rejuvenated the city by building architectural landmarks, bringing back fleeing Catholic and Greek Orthodox residents, attracting Muslim, Christian, and Jewish families in order to populate the city. Sultan Mehmet build the Grand Bazaar, which is still one of the largest covered marketplaces in the world.
Suleyman the Magnificent took control of Istanbul from 1520 until 1566 and continued to invest in the architecture and culture of the city. By the mid-1500s, Istanbul had a population of 1 million inhabitants. The Ottoman empire ruled the city of Istanbul until the Empire dissolved in 1922.
Constantinople was officially conquered by the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Mehmet II, on May 29, 1453. Immediately after taking control, Constantine was renamed as Istanbul and declared as the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Sultan Mehmet rejuvenated the city by building architectural landmarks, bringing back fleeing Catholic and Greek Orthodox residents, attracting Muslim, Christian, and Jewish families in order to populate the city. Sultan Mehmet build the Grand Bazaar, which is still one of the largest covered marketplaces in the world.
Suleyman the Magnificent took control of Istanbul from 1520 until 1566 and continued to invest in the architecture and culture of the city. By the mid-1500s, Istanbul had a population of 1 million inhabitants. The Ottoman empire ruled the city of Istanbul until the Empire dissolved in 1922.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/8/24287371/3081299.jpg?856)
The Republic of Turkey (1923-today)
Following the Turkish War of Independence, Istanbul became a part of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. The new republic moved the capital to a more centralized city (Ankara) but Istanbul continued to emerge as the largest city of Turkey. In 1985, many of Istanbul's historical areas were added to the UNECO World Heritage List, and in 2010 Istanbul has been designated as the European Capital of Culture by the European Union.
Following the Turkish War of Independence, Istanbul became a part of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. The new republic moved the capital to a more centralized city (Ankara) but Istanbul continued to emerge as the largest city of Turkey. In 1985, many of Istanbul's historical areas were added to the UNECO World Heritage List, and in 2010 Istanbul has been designated as the European Capital of Culture by the European Union.