Byzantium becomes the Roman capital

Posted in Anniversary, History, Legend on Saturday, 30 April 2011

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11 May marks the anniversary of the dedication in 330 AD of Byzantium as the capital of the Roman Empire.

picture, Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire

The city of Byzantium. Illustration by Roger Payne

The history of the city is shrouded in legend, supposedly founded by Byzas after consulting the Oracle of Delphi in 667 BC, who called his new city Byzantion. It was a prosperous trading city at the entrance of the Black Sea and was later conquered by the Romans, who rebuilt the city. Its location attracted the Emperor Constantine who, in 330, made the city the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, now known as the Byzantime Empire. The city was renamed Constantinople following Constantine’s death.

Many more pictures relating to the history of the Roman Empire can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

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