legendary city changed a lot of names, nations and empires ... The eternal rival of Rome, the cradle of Orthodox Christianity and the capital of the empire, which existed a century ... In modern maps this city you will not find, however, he is alive and growing.The place where the Constantinople, located not too far from us.On the history of this city and its glorious legends discuss in this article.
Occurrence
develop land located between two seas - the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, people began in the VII century BCAs they say Greek texts, on the north shore of the Bosporus settled a colony of Miletus.Asian Coast Strait obzhili Megara.The two cities stood opposite each other - in the European part of Miletus was Byzantium, on the south shore - Megara Kalhedon.This situation allowed the village to control the Bosphorus.The lively trade between the countries of the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea, the regular flow of goods, trade and military ships of the expedition provided the customs duties both of these cities, which will soon become one.
So, the narrowest place of the Bosphorus, later called the Golden Horn, and was one point where the city of Constantinople.
attempt to capture Byzantium
rich and powerful Byzantium attracted the attention of many generals and conquerors.About 30 years old at the time of the conquests of Darius, Byzantium was under the dominion of the empire of the Persians.Golf relatively quiet life for hundreds of years to his troops reached the gates of the king of Macedonia - Philip.Several months of siege ended in vain.Enterprising and wealthy citizens preferred to pay tribute to the many invaders, rather than engage in bloody battles and numerous.Byzantium managed to subdue another king of Macedonia - Alexander the Great.
After Alexander the Great's empire was split, the city came under the influence of Rome.
Christianity in Byzantium
Roman and Greek historical and cultural traditions were not the only sources of culture of the future of Constantinople.Originating in the eastern territories of the Roman Empire, a new religion, as the fire spread to all provinces of ancient Rome.Christian communities took into its ranks people of different faith, with different levels of education and income.But already in apostolic times, in the second century AD, there were numerous Christian schools and the first monuments of Christian literature.Multi Christianity is gradually emerging of the catacombs and louder declares itself the world.
Emperors Christians
After separation of the huge public education eastern part of the Roman Empire began to position themselves as a Christian state.Emperor Constantine took power in the ancient city, calling it Constantinople in his honor.Were discontinued persecution of Christians, churches and places of worship of Christ began to be revered equally with the pagan shrines.Constantine himself was baptized on his deathbed in 337.Subsequent emperors consistently promote and defend the Christian faith.And Justinian in the VI.BCChristianity has left only the state religion by banning the ancient rites in the territory of the Byzantine Empire.
Churches Constantinople
State support for the new faith had a positive impact on the life and political structure of the ancient city.Earth, where Constantinople was, full of numerous temples and symbols of the Christian faith.In the cities of the empire arose temples of worship were held, attracting into its ranks more and more adepts.One of the first famous cathedrals that have arisen at the time, became a temple of Sophia in Constantinople.
Temple St. Sophia
its founder was Constantine the Great.This name was widespread in Eastern Europe.Sophia called a Christian saint, who lived in the II century ADSometimes referred to Jesus Christ for wisdom and scholarship.Following the example of Constantinople, the first Christian churches with the same name spread across the eastern lands of the empire.Constantine's son and heir to the throne of the Byzantine emperor Constantius rebuilt the temple, making it even more beautiful and spacious.One hundred years later, during the unjust persecution of the first Christian theologian and philosopher John, churches of Constantinople were destroyed by the rebels, and the Cathedral of St.. Sofia burned to the ground.
Revival temple became possible only during the reign of Emperor Justinian.
New Christian ruler desired to rebuild the cathedral.According to him, the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople should be honored, and dedicated to her temple shall surpass its beauty and grandeur any other facility of this kind in the world.For the construction of this masterpiece of the emperor invited renowned architects and builders of the time - Amphimachus from Thrall and Isidore of Miletus.In submission of architects worked one hundred assistants, and direct the construction were employed 10 thousand. Man.It Isidore and Amphimachus were the most advanced construction materials - granite, marble, and precious metals.Construction lasted five years, and the result exceeded all expectations.
According to the accounts of contemporaries, gather in a place where the Constantinople temple reigned over the ancient city, like a ship on the waves.In an amazing miracle gathered to see Christians from all over the empire.
weakening of Constantinople in the VII century in the Arabian Peninsula, a new aggressive Islamic state - Arab Caliphate.Under his pressure Byzantium lost its eastern provinces, and the euro area is gaining Phrygians, Slavs, Bulgarians.The area where the Constantinople repeatedly attacked and surrounded by a tribute.The Byzantine Empire was losing its position in Eastern Europe and gradually fell into decay.
in 1204 the troops of the crusaders in the Venetian part of the fleet and the French infantry took Constantinople in the months-long siege.After a long resistance the city fell and was sacked by the invaders.Fires have destroyed many works of art and monuments.In the place where there was a populous and rich Constantinople is the capital of the impoverished and plundered Romeyskoy empire.In 1261 the Byzantines were able to recapture Constantinople from the Latins, but to return the former grandeur of the city have failed.
Ottoman Empire
By XV century the Ottoman Empire actively expanded its borders to the European territories, spreading Islam by the sword and bribery attached to his possessions more and more land.In 1402, the Turkish sultan Bayezid already tried to take Constantinople, but was defeated by Amir Timur.The defeat weakened the strength of the anchor in the Empire and the extended period of quiet for another half-century Constantinople.
In 1452, Sultan Mehmed 2 after careful preparation proceeded to capture the capital of the Byzantine Empire.Previously, he has taken care of the capture of the smaller towns, surrounded Constantinople and its allies began the siege.On the night of May 28, 1453 the city was taken.Many Christian churches were turned into mosques, images of saints and symbols of Christianity disappeared from the walls of the cathedral and of the Holy. Sofia flew the crescent.
Byzantine Empire ceased to exist, and Constantinople became part of the Ottoman Empire.
Board of Suleiman the Magnificent gave Constantinople a new "Golden Age".When it is built the Suleymaniye Mosque, which becomes a symbol for Muslims, the same as it remained St. Sofia for every Christian.After the death of Suleiman the Ottoman Empire throughout its existence continued decorating the ancient city of masterpieces of architecture and architecture.
Metamorphoses after the city
After the capture of the city of the Turks did not officially rename it.For the Greeks, it has retained its name.On the contrary, from the mouth of the Turkish and Arab residents increasingly began to sound "Istanbul", "Stanbul", "Istanbul" - that increasingly became known as Constantinople.Now it called the two versions of the origin of these names.The first hypothesis says that the name - bad tracing Greek phrase means "go to the city, go to the city."Another theory is based on the name Islambouli, which means "city of Islam."Both versions have a right to exist.Whatever it was, the name of Constantinople is still used, but in everyday life comes in and firmly established, and the name of Istanbul.In this form of the city and came to the maps of many countries, including Russia, but for the Greeks it still was named in honor of the Emperor Constantine.
Contemporary Istanbul
area where Constantinople, now owned by Turkey.However, the title of the capital city has already lost: by the decision of the Turkish authorities in 1923, the capital was transferred to Ankara.Although Constantinople, now called Istanbul, for many tourists and visitors to the ancient Byzantium is still a great city with many monuments of architecture and art, rich in southern friendly and always memorable.
