Definition: Constantinople was the capital city of the Eastern Roman Empire. It is now known as Istanbul. Before it was named Constantinople in honor of its founder, it was called Nova Roma 'New Rome'. Before that, it was called Byzantium,
after Byzas, the leader of a 7th century B.C. Greek expedition from Megara.
Constantine enlarged the earlier city of Byzantium, in A.D. 328, and then inaugurated it as his capital in 330. Constantinople claims 7 hills like Rome. It is almost surrounded by water (Sea of Marmara [aka Propontis], the strait of Bosporus, and the Black Sea [aka Pontus Euxinus]) except on its side facing Europe where walls were built.
The 1911 Encyclopedia says the geographic coordinates of Constantinople are 41° 0' 16" N. and 28° 58' 14" E.
Also Known As: Byzantion, Byzantium, Istanbul, Nova Roma
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Before the Fall of Rome, the following forums were built in Constantinople: Constantine's (c. 328), Arcadius' (403), Theodosius' (423), Marcia's (450-52), and Leo's (471). See "The Last Roman Forum," by K.R. Dark and A.L. Harris. GRBS 48, 2008, pp. 57-69.
