The Imperial Nature Of Constantinople Essay

There are many different aspects to a civilization that constitute to the place’s overall function and nature. This notion is upheld especially when it comes to Constantinople. The imperial nature of Constantinople allowed it to not only function as an imperial capital, but as a trading emporium as well which in turn lead to other various functions. From the beginning, Constantinople was deemed the new imperial capital for the benefit of the empire. This notion was premeditated as emperor Constantine could see the potential within it especially in regards to maintaining dominance over surrounding powers. To illustrate, “relocation enabled him to maintain close watch over the Sasanid empire in Persia and the Germanic peoples who lived along the lower stretches of the Danube River” (337). Although this new capital may have initially been for military purposes it was evident it had the capability for something beyond that. It was going to become a trading centre as its location was ideal for it. The city had access to the Mediterranean Sea and Russia thus, leading to exposure to various trading partners. This is evident in Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past, “Constantinople served as the main clearinghouse for trade in the western part of Eurasia. The merchants of Constantinople maintained commercial links with manufactures and merchants in central Asia, Russia, Scandinavia, northern Europe, and the lands of the Black Sea and the

One of their many sources was from taxing the merchants that came to their city. To elaborate, “the tribune of the city alone amounts every day to twenty thousand florins…and from the duties paid by merchants who arrive by sea and by land” (source 1). Though they also produced many delicacies as well. The prosperous