Page 30 - A History of the World in 25 Cities
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Less than 100 years after the Constantinian Wall was built, a new double-wall, separated by ditches and moats, increased the size of the city and protected it from invasion.
Originally called Byzantium, the city was renamed Constantinople in 330 CE to
honour Emperor Constantine, who made the city the new capital of Eastern
Roman Empire. Constantinople
became one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the world,
shining with gold, bronze and polished marble.
5OO
The emperor’s second house.
Built on the orders of Emperor Constantine, the wall surrounded the city.
The ‘middle’ or main street of Constantinople. It was 25 metres wide and lined with colonnades (covered walkways) and shops.
This grand entrance to the city was covered in marble statues, bronzes and gold
decorations and was used only on special occasions.
The Theodosian Walls had towers for defence.
The centre of government.
This wide, circular meeting place housed the Column of Constantine, with the emperor’s statue at the top.
