Why did Constantine I moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantine?

Answer 1

Constantine moved the capital of the eastern part of the Roman Empire from Nicomedia (in northwestern Turkey) to the nearby Byzantium, which he redeveloped, renamed Constantinople (city of Constantine) and inaugurated in 330. This new capital was given titles such as "The New, second Rome,' 'Eastern Rome,' 'Alma Roma,' and 'Roma Constantinopolitana.' Propaganda-wise the new capital symbolised the new dawn of the Roman Empire which Constantine rule would usher in.

Ancient historians did not actually clarify why Constantine the Great moved the capital of the eastern part of the Roman Empire from Nicomedia (in north-western Turkey) to the nearby Byzantium. One reason might have been that Nicomedia had been designated as the capital of the eastern part of the Roman Empire by the emperor Diocletian who had unleashed the Great Persecution of Christians.

A highly likely reason was Propaganda, which Constantine was very good at. He even invented a fictitious descent from the family of a previous emperor.to give legitimacy to his quest for power. A new capital named after himself would give him further prestige and act as a symbol of the new dawn for the empire his rule would usher in. Constantine redeveloped the Greek city of Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople (which means the city of Constantine) in 330. The city was also given titles such as "The New, second Rome,' 'Eastern Rome,' 'Alma Roma,' and 'Roma Constantinopolitana.' Byzantium has seven hills like Rome. This created a similarity with Rome and justified the titles mentioned above.

Originally Constantine considered Sirmium (in modern day Serbia) for his new capital. Then he opted for Byzantium. Other factors may have helped this choice. This city was on the route between Europe and Asia like Nicomedia, but it was in a better strategic position. The roads from south-Western Europe to Asia converged there. It was on the Bosporus, the strait between Europe and Asia, and between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Therefore, it also controlled the naval route between these two seas. It was also a city easy to defend. It was on a promontory into the Bosporus. Therefore, it had water on two sides. The Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosporus meant that there was water on the third side as well. The hilly terrain helped to defend the part of the city which was not on the seafront or by the Golden Horn.

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Answer 2

It is not quite clear why Constantine decided to move the capital of the eastern part of the Roman Empire from Nicomedia (in south-western Turkey). Initially he considered moving it to Sirmium, in present day Serbia. Then he decided to redevelop the nearby city of Byzantium, make it the capital and rename it Constantinople.

One reason might be that Nicomedia was associated with Diocletian, who had unleashed the Great Persecution of the Christians while Constantine supported the Christians. A very likely reason could be propaganda. Constantine was a master of propaganda. He even invented a line of descent from a previous emperor Constantinople meant the city of Constantine and was given honorary titles such Roma Constantiniana; The Eastern Rome; The New, Second Rome; and Alma Roma. The new capital symbolised a new dawn for the Roman Empire under Constantine's rule.

Answer 3

He moved the capital of Rome because Rome had divided its empire into 2 halves: the Western Empire and the Eastern Empire. He never really moved the Capital from Rome to Byzantium or later renamed Constantinople, later known as Istanbul, the present-day capital of Turkey. Rome remained capital of the western part, which faced decline and change. The eastern part flourished for many years.

The Roman empire was subdivided in a western and an eastern part by Diocletian, not Constantine I. Diocletian turned Milan into the imperial capital in the west and Nicomedia (in northwestern Turkey) into the imperial capital of the east. Rome became the nominal capital of the empire. Diocletian was in charge of the east and co-emperor Maximian was in charge of the west. Constantine I moved the capital of the east from Nocomedia to Constantinople.

Answer 4

When Constantine was senior emperor of the west he was based in Milan, which was the capital of the praetorian prefecture of Italia and Africa and the imperial seat of the western part of the empire. Therefore, Constantine did not move his capital. When he became sole emperor he chose to have his own capital to drive home the point that he was the only emperor and as a symbol of a new dawn his rule would bring. The ancient sources do not tell us why he chose Byzantium, which he redeveloped and renamed after himself - Constantinople means city of Constantine.

Answer 5

If you look at a map you can see that Byzantium was a great location for a strong city. It controlled both the land and sea routs and therefore collected revenues from the traders that used the city both from the east and the west. It also had military advantages by lad, sea and river.

Answer 6

because of it's unique geographical location on Europe and Asia

Answer 7

Constantine moved the capital from Rome in order to have a more centralized capital. Constantine rules Italy until 340 A.D.

Answer 8

C. He believed Western Roman power was on the decline, while East Roman power was on the rise. (APEX)