What was the capital of the Byzantine Empire?
Quick answer
The capital of the Byzantine Empire was Constantinople, today’s Istanbul, Turkey. Emperor Constantine the Great made it the new capital of the Roman Empire in AD 330, and it remained the Byzantine capital for more than 1,100 years, until it fell to the Ottoman Turks on May 29, 1453.
From Byzantium to Istanbul
| Name | When |
|---|---|
| Byzantium | A Greek colony founded around 660 BC |
| Constantinople (“City of Constantine”) | From AD 330 |
| Istanbul | Used for centuries under the Ottomans; made the official name in 1930 |
The word “Byzantine” was coined by later historians. The people of the empire called themselves Romans and their state the Roman Empire.
Why Constantinople was so important
- Location: It sits on the Bosphorus strait, controlling trade between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and between Europe and Asia.
- Defenses: The massive Theodosian Walls held off invaders for nearly a thousand years.
- Wealth and culture: It was one of the largest and richest cities in the world for much of the Middle Ages.
- Religion: It was the center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Famous landmarks
The Hagia Sophia, completed in AD 537 under Emperor Justinian I, was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years. It became a mosque after 1453, a museum in 1934, and a mosque again in 2020.
The fall of Constantinople
In 1453, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II besieged the city with a huge army and massive cannons. After about 53 days, the walls were breached on May 29. The last emperor, Constantine XI, died in the fighting. Many historians use the fall as one marker for the end of the Middle Ages.
Constantinople today
Istanbul is now Turkey’s largest city, with more than 15 million people, though Ankara is the capital of modern Turkey.
The Byzantine Empire grew out of Rome, whose language was Latin. For another ancient capital, see the first emperor of China.
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