The Urban Language of Early Constantinople: The Changing Roles of the Arts and Architecture in the Formation of the New Capital and the New Consciousness

This book chapter addresses the emergence and early development of the city of Constantinople, Europe's largest and wealthiest city in the Middle Ages. Based on an ancient plan, the city has undergone a substantive change during Constantine’s rule in the early fourth century. The introduction of the new kind of buildings and monuments in the capital of the now Christian Roman empire had a novel impact on the shared consciousness and collective memory of the city and its citizens.

The chapter focuses on the urban design of the city within which Constantine’s vision about religious tolerance came to life following the 313 AD Edict of Milan - legislation embracing Christianity and religious freedom. In this respect the planners of Constantinople struck the balance between the pagan and the Christian way of life in a careful disposition of buildings, monuments and public spaces.