Other Names for Constantinople (Historical Names)

Constantinople, an ancient city with a rich history, has evolved over the centuries, with its names reflecting the different empires and cultures that once ruled.

It was founded as Byzantium, an ancient Greek city, before being renamed Constantinople in honor of Constantine the Great.

Today, we know this bustling metropolis as Istanbul.

Over time, this city has been called by several other names, each reflecting a particular aspect of its history or significance.

For instance, “Queen of Cities” was a popular title given to the city by the Byzantines, emphasizing its majesty and prominence in their empire.

Additionally, “Istinpolin” and “The City” were other alternatives commonly used in everyday speech, further showcasing the diversity and importance of Constantinople to its inhabitants and the world.

Origins of Constantinople Name

The city of Constantinople, once a powerful center of the ancient world, has a rich history dating back to its founding by the ancient Greeks.

In 657 BC, a group of colonists led by Byzas of Megara established the city and named it Byzantium, after their leader.

Situated between the Balkans and Anatolia, the city benefited from its strategic location, controlling the Bosporus Strait, a crucial trade route between Europe and Asia.

In AD 330, Constantine I transformed Byzantium into the new capital of the Roman Empire and renamed it Constantinople, meaning “the city of Constantine.”

With this move, the city became the bastion of Christianity and center of the Christian world, as Constantine had made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Constantinople quickly began to eclipse other major cities, thanks to its impressive fortifications and strategic position on vital trade routes.

Throughout its history, the city has been known by multiple names, such as Byzantium and Constantinople, as well as “The City” in Greek (εις την Πόλιν or στην Πόλη).

Early Roman Influence on Name

During the time of Septimius Severus, Byzantium, the ancient city that later became Constantinople, was reconstructed following the model of Rome itself.

Built on and around seven hills, this city attracted both Greeks and Romans due to its strategic location on the European side of the Strait of Bosporus.

As the Roman Empire grew, so did the population of Byzantium. Under Constantine I, the city’s significance further increased.

Constantine, also known as Constantine the Great, understood the strategic importance of Byzantium and decided to make it his new capital after reuniting the Roman Empire in 324 CE.

From then on, the city was renamed Constantinople.

Name Evolution

The history of Constantinople, now known as Istanbul, has been marked by a number of name changes that reflect different periods and influences.

Initially called Byzantium, it was later renamed by Emperor Constantine as Nova Roma, symbolizing a “new Rome” in the Eastern Roman Empire.

However, it eventually became known as Constantinopolis or Constantinople after its founder.

During the centuries of Byzantine rule, Constantinople retained this name, but other languages referred to it differently, such as Kostantiniyye in Arabic.

This demonstrates the city’s importance as a thriving hub of trade, politics, and culture throughout the medieval period.

When the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, the city underwent another transformation, with its inhabitants commonly calling it Stamboul.

This name is derived from the Greek phrase “eis tin polin,” meaning “to the city” – indicating the centrality of Constantinople in people’s lives.

Finally, in the 1920s, the Republic of Turkey was established, and the city’s name was officially changed to İstanbul.

This new name already had long-standing usage, particularly among local residents, and it was a reflection of the modernization and reform movement taking place at that time.

Throughout its history, the city’s various names each represent distinct aspects of its identity and the people who have called it home.

As a crossroads between Europe and Asia, Constantinople – or Byzantium, Kostantiniyye, Stamboul, and now İstanbul – has been deeply ingrained in the complex historical and cultural tapestry of the region.