Constantinople

Constantinople, also known as Istanbul, is a highly important city located on the Bosphorus Strait. As of now, the city is split between the Hellenistic League on the eastern half of the strait, and the Babylonian Empire to the west. The city has a highly important history, stretching from it's founding by the Greeks under the name "Byzantion", all the way to modern day where the city holds a powerful Turko-Greek heritage. 
== History of Constantinople ==
=== Pre-Byzantine Era ===
The exact founding date of Constantinople is unknown. Evidence suggests it may have been founded several decades prior to 1AD, but the exact date is not clear. It was known as Byzantion by the Greeks who founded it. It was a small town at the Bosporus Strait, which had grown into a decently sized city by the time of its conquest by the Bosnians.
=== The First Byzantine Era ===
The city of Constantinople was headed as the capital of the First Byzantine Empire for more than 2 centuries, starting after the Bosnian Kingdom conquered Byzantion and renamed it to Constantinople, and ending during the Solar Flare. The Bosnian Kingdom's transition into the Byzantine Empire (also known as Byzantium by many) marks the true beginning of this era, as Constantinople was decided to be the seat of the new Byzantine Empire. The two centuries of Byzantine control led to the city rapidly growing from a rather small population to over a million by the end of the first century. The expansion of the city eventually led to it spreading across the Bosphorus, and growing further.
During the beginning of the second century, Emperor Julian constructed the Hagia Sophia, which would become an icon of the city. Further growth occurred following the First Worlda War, leading to a total population size of around 3 million. One of the only threats to the city during this era occurred during the Second Worlda War, where both Bharat and Libya attempted to take the city. Notably, the Libyans almost reached Aegean Sea via Macedonia before being repelled. Following this, no real threats to the city would occur. During Alexander III's reign, the city was connected to many of the other important cities of the empire via the Eurasian Line. The population of the city reached ~5 million inhabitants near the end of the era. This era also had a dramatic impact upon the city's architecture. 
=== The Ottoman Era ===
After the Solar Flare, a Turkic tribe originating from Anatolia; known as the Ottomans; settled on the Bosphorus Strait. They situated themselves in Constantinople, changing the demographics to what they are more modernly are, Turko-Greek. The city was officially known as Konstantinyye under the Ottomans, but held the name Istanbul by many of the local Turks. Konstantinyye saw the rise of the Ottomans during the 230's and 240's, all the way up until the fall of the Mesopotamian Federation by the Second Empire of Bharat. The Ottomans left a equally large legacy as the Byzantines, with a plethora of Mosques, Monuments, and even the tomb of two of the greatest Sultans in Ottoman history. Notably, the population reached ~5.9m under the Ottomans.
Category:Capitals
Category:Cities