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  >  Discover Istanbul   >  Before Byzantium

Istanbul is a city with a very old history. Istanbul has been under the sovereignty of many different nations for centuries. So much so that some of these states are magnificent states such as Rome, Byzantium, and Ottoman Empires. This historical adventure stretching back 30 years before Rome was divided into two reveals the importance of Istanbul. In other words, we can say that the Byzantine Empire was born from the division of the Roman Empire into two parts. Also, the city, which is a critical place due to its geographical location and political importance, played a vital role in the Roman period and became the capital of the Western Roman empire.

For this reason, the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empires gave the necessary value to Istanbul. Developed and grown by the Roman emperor Constantine, Istanbul was known as Constantinople. After the collapse of Western Rome, it began to host the Eastern Roman, that is, Byzantium. In the research about Istanbul, we see those empires such as the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire cherished Istanbul and evaluated it as the capital. However, in today’s Turkey, Istanbul is not a capital city but a metropolis.

First Civilizations in Istanbul

If we are talking about the history of Istanbul, we must speak of the Roman and Byzantine empires. Still, according to the research, it has been proven that there has been life in Istanbul since the polished stone age, but it is accepted that the Megarians carried out the known provincial settlement. According to the first recorded information in the post-historical period, the ancient Greek city-state was one of the first owners of Istanbul.

Istanbul, which later came under the rule of the Roman Empire, is the apple of the eye of the Republic of Turkey today, after the domination of the Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman empires, respectively. For this reason, Istanbul is a world city that attracts attention with its beauty and geographical location. What can be deduced from this is that Istanbul is an important city, both politically and socially, regardless of who is under its rule.

Places to Witness the History of Istanbul

Undoubtedly,...

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