Is Istanbul the city that used to be called Constantinople?

Question

Istanbul is in the country of Turkey. I want to be sure if it used to be called Constantinople in the midevil times.

Answer 1

The place in question began its life as a town called Byzantium, founded by the Greeks around 600 BC. Because of its strategic location, the city was continually being besieged and captured during its tumultuous history. Over the years, the city passed through the hands of the Persian Empire and Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Roman Empire in 73 AD. In 330 AD, Roman emperor Constantine the Great made Byzantium the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The name of the city was later changed to Constantinople, to honor the emperor.

In 1453, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II conquered the city and made it the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Now under new rule, the metropolis was dubbed "Istanbul" from the Greek phrase "eis ten polin," which meant "in the city." The name of the city wasn't officially changed until 1930, and Westerners continued to refer to it as Constantinople on maps and in speech into the '60s. But they finally changed the name to Istanbul and caught up with the times.

Answer 2

First of all, you should know that the name Constantinople was still in use long time after the city was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453. If you look at postal cards from Istanbul or books (even published in Turkey) until the late 1920s, you will still find that name. However, after 1453 the official name of the city became Istanbul and until 1930 the name Constantinople was used only by Western countries and the Christian population. After that, the name Istanbul became official as part of Atatürk's reforms. I'm sure that this was made to underline that Istanbul is part of the Turkish Republic. For me personally, the name Constantinople is nothing more than part of Istanbul's history. I don't have any problems if somebody uses that name in that historical context. The Western World refers to Istanbul as Istanbul and not as Constantinople. I have never seen a newspaper or news program on TV referring to their journalist in "Constantinople". Some people still use the name Constantinople for "political" reasons. It's a kind of not accepting the facts. I don't have any problems with that because this "political" reason is nothing more than ridiculous. If these people want to dream about the "Resurrection of the Byzantine Empire", they can continue to do so. As said, this is nothing more than funny. If the Greeks (or others) want to use the name in a religious sense, like the "Patriarch of Constantinople", I can understand that. This religious title can't change after the take-over by the Turks. This doesn't change that the name of the city will remain Istanbul.

Answer 3

The place in question began its life as a town called Byzantium, founded by the Greeks around 600 BC. Because of its strategic location, the city was continually being besieged and captured during its tumultuous history. Over the years, the city passed through the hands of the Persian Empire and Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Roman Empire in 73 AD. In 330 AD, Roman emperor Constantine the Great made Byzantium the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The name of the city was later changed to Constantinople, to honor the emperor.

In 1453, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II conquered the city and made it the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Now under new rule, the metropolis was dubbed "Istanbul" from the Greek phrase "eis ten polin," which meant "in the city." The name of the city wasn't officially changed until 1930, and Westerners continued to refer to it as Constantinople on maps and in speech into the '60s.

Answer 4

It was first a Greek colony called Byzantion, then it became the capital of the eastern Roman Empire (named after Constantine the Great~Constantinople), and after the Ottoman Turks under Mehmed II sacked it (1453) they changed the name to Istanbul.

Answer 5

I love that song... lol!

Istanbul
Istanbul was constantinople
Now it's istanbul, not constantinople
Been a long time gone, constantinople
Now it's turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in constantinople
Lives in istanbul, not constantinople
So if you've a date in constantinople
She'll be waiting in istanbul

Even old new york was once new amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

So take me back to constantinople
No, you can't go back to constantinople
Been a long time gone, constantinople
Why did constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the turks

Istanbul (istanbul)
Istanbul (istanbul)

Even old new york was once new amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

Istanbul was constantinople
Now it's istanbul, not constantinople
Been a long time gone, constantinople
Why did constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the turks

So take me back to constantinople
No, you can't go back to constantinople
Been a long time gone, constantinople
Why did constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the turks

Istanbul.


(And yes... it is true to history!) Cool huh?

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

Istanbul since 1453 :)

Answer 8

Yes, the Roman Emperor Constantine change the name. It was also known as Byzantine

Answer 9

Sure is and it's also the topic of a funny They Might be Giants song.

Answer 10

Yes it is. I wish it was still called Constantinople, sounds more exotic and mysterious.