ConstantinopleSOCIAL STUDIES FOR 10° EBGTEACHER: MAURICIO TORRES

Map of ConstantinopleIt is located on the Bosporus, on the European side. To the north is the Golden Horn (a water inlet) and to the south, the Sea of Marmara.

Greek origins: Byzantium• Greek settled in the early

days of Greek colonial expansion, probably around 671–662 BC on the Bosporus.

• They named the city Byzantium.

• The site lay on the land route from Europe to Asia and the seaway from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, and had in the Golden Horn an excellent and spacious natural harbor.

Second Rome: Constantinople• The city was never known

as “the second Rome”, but its position as the capital of the Roman Empire since 330 AD, fits the description.

• With the fall of the Western Empire, Constantinople kept the tradition of the old empire going.• Therefore, the people we

know today as Byzantines, did not call themselves as such or even Greeks. They called themselves Romans.

Strategic Importance• Constantinople is located right between the Black Sea

and the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.

• As a result most trade between Asia, Europe and North Africa had to pass through the Byzantine Empire. Due to this strategic location, the Byzantine became a very wealthy empire for a time.

Architecture• The Byzantine Empire used Roman and

Greek architectural models and styles to create its own unique type of architecture.

Main Buildings

RELIGIOUS

• Hagia Sophia

• Church of the Holy Apostles

• Hagia Irene

CIVIL

• Column of Justinian

• Forum of Constantine

• Bucolean Palace

• Hippodrome

• Palace of Blachernae

Religious Importance• When Constantinople became

the empire’s capital, its bishop gained more importance.• The Bishop is known nowadays as

the Patriarch.

• This way it became a center of Christianity along Rome. But the cultural and theological differences between both, led to a split between both cities and the creation of two separate churches in Christianity (1054).

Nika Riots• It took place over the course of a week in Constantinople

in AD 532:• It started at the Hippodrome when the two rival factions (greens

and blues) joined together to protest against Justinian and many unpopular policies.

• They sieged the palace for some days.

• Justinian bribed the “blue” leaders and they abandoned the riot.

• As soon as this happened, royal troops entered the Hippodrome and killed all the green supporters that were still left inside.

• It was the most violent riot in the history of Constantinople, with nearly half the city being burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of people killed.• It remains today one of the world's deadliest ever riots!

Latin Massacre• It was a large-scale massacre of the Roman Catholic or

"Latin" inhabitants of Constantinople, by the Eastern Orthodox population in May 1182.• Roman Catholics of Constantinople at that time dominated the city's

maritime trade and financial sector.

• In 1182, the new emperor entered the city in a wave of popular support. The celebrations spilled over into violence towards the hated Latins, and after entering the city's Latin quarter a mob began attacking the inhabitants.• The massacre was indiscriminate: neither women nor children were

spared. Houses, churches, and charitable institutions were looted.

• Latin clergymen received special attention, and Cardinal John, the papal legate, was beheaded and his head was dragged through the streets at the tail of a dog.

Sieges of the City

Sieges of the City• Constantinople was famed for

its massive defenses.

• Although besieged on numerous occasions by various peoples, it was taken only by the army of the Fourth Crusade and by the Ottoman Turks.

• The city was built on seven hills as well as on the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, and presented an impregnable fortress.

• It also had double walls to protect it from invasions.

Year Invading Army/Nation Outcome

626 First siege: Avars, Slavs and Persians Failed

674 Arab Siege Failed

860, 907, 941

Rus Sieges Failed

1204 Fourth Crusade: catholic crusaders

The city was sacked

1453 Fall of Constantinople: Ottoman Turks

The city was captured

Summary: Name changes

• Founded by the Greeks in 600s BC.

Byzantium

• Named capital of the Roman Empire 330 AD.

Constantinople • Ottoman

Turks invade and take over the city. 1453 AD. Istanbul

Ask Yourself• Locate:• Verbally, give the location of Constantinople

• Explain:• What was the advantage of the Golden Horn?

• Why did Byzantines call themselves Romans?

• Describe:• What was the strategic importance of Constantinople?

• Describe the events during the Nika riots.

• Analyze:• What kind of differences led to split of the church?