🏛️ Греческое и римское влияние на ранний Стамбул

Before the Ottoman minarets graced its skyline, and even before the grand churches of Byzantium defined its spiritual landscape, Istanbul was a city deeply rooted in Greek and Roman antiquity. While often overshadowed by its later imperial phases, the classical history of Byzantium and Constantinople laid the very foundations upon which these later empires built. Traces of this classical past, though sometimes subtle, are still visible in modern Istanbul, inviting visitors to step back in time.

Byzantium: The Greek Foundation

The city’s earliest significant settlement was Byzantium, founded by Greek colonists from Megara around 667 BCE. Like other Greek cities, it would have had temples dedicated to various deities, a agora (marketplace and public gathering space), and fortifications. While little remains of this truly ancient Greek city above ground, archaeological digs occasionally unearth pottery shards and structural remnants that hint at its original layout beneath the bustling streets of Eminönü and Fatih. The strategic importance recognized by the Greeks, controlling the narrow strait, was a legacy inherited by their successors.

Constantinople: The Roman Transformation

The true surge of classical influence came with the Roman Empire. When Emperor Constantine the Great refounded Byzantium as Nova Roma (soon to be known as Constantinople) in 330 CE, he envisioned a second Rome, complete with all the monumental trappings of the imperial capital. Roman engineers and architects transformed the city, bringing with them sophisticated infrastructure and grand public spaces.

• The Hippodrome of Constantinople (Sultanahmet Square): While only the outline and a few monumental obelisks remain, the Hippodrome was once the vibrant heart of Roman Constantinople. This massive arena, capable of holding tens of thousands, was the site of thrilling chariot races, imperial ceremonies, and public celebrations.
  • The Obelisk of Thutmose III (Egyptian Obelisk): Originally erected in the Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt, this ancient Egyptian obelisk was brought to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius I in the late 4th century CE. Its intricate hieroglyphs still tell tales of pharaonic glory.
  • The Serpent Column: A bronze column originally from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece, commemorating the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BCE. It was brought to Constantinople by Constantine the Great. Originally featuring three intertwined serpents topped by a golden bowl, only the base of the column with the intertwined bodies remains.
  • The Walled Obelisk: Also known as the Obelisk of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, this stone obelisk was built during the 10th century CE, likely replacing earlier Roman monumental structures.
• The Valens Aqueduct (Bozdoğan Kemeri): A remarkable feat of Roman engineering, constructed in the late 4th century CE by Emperor Valens. This massive aqueduct system spanned valleys and supplied water to the city for centuries. Sections of its imposing arches still stand proudly in the Fatih district, a testament to Roman ingenuity and durability.
• The Column of Constantine (Çemberlitaş Sütunu): This monumental porphyry column was erected by Constantine the Great in 330 CE to commemorate the dedication of the city as the new capital. While the statue of Constantine that once topped it is long gone, and the column itself has been damaged and restored over the centuries, it remains a powerful symbol of the city’s Roman origins.
• Forums: Like Rome, Constantinople had several imperial forums. While largely gone or buried beneath later constructions, their names and former grandeur echo through history:
  • Forum of Constantine: The first great forum, located near the Column of Constantine, it was adorned with statues brought from across the Roman world.
  • Forum of Theodosius (Beyazıt Square): Also known as the Forum Tauri, this forum was embellished by Emperor Theodosius I. Fragments of monumental arches and columns from this forum can still be seen near Istanbul University at Beyazıt Square, including impressive marble friezes.
• Underground Cisterns: To ensure a constant water supply, the Romans built vast underground cisterns beneath the city. The most famous is the Цистерна Базилика (Йеребатан Сарнычи), a stunning subterranean marvel supported by hundreds of ancient columns, many of which were recycled from earlier Roman or Greek structures, including the famous Medusa heads. Other smaller, lesser-known cisterns also exist, many still unexplored or used for various purposes today.
• Walls of Constantinople: While significantly reinforced and rebuilt by Byzantine emperors over centuries, the original layout and initial construction of the city walls began in the Roman period, first under Constantine and later expanded by Theodosius II. These formidable walls, segments of which are still standing and traversable, were built using Roman engineering principles and protected the city for over a thousand years.

These enduring structures and fragments serve as silent witnesses to Istanbul’s deep classical roots, reminding us that long before it became a bustling metropolis, it was a city built on Roman ambition and sustained by Greek strategic foresight.

Uncover Ancient Istanbul!

• Gain deeper insights into these remarkable finds at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, housing a vast collection of artifacts from the city’s classical past.
• Embark on our ancient history tours to explore the ruins and learn the stories behind Istanbul’s Greek and Roman foundations.