Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Oh Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks

These lyrics from the song “Istanbul-Not Constantinople” were first aired in 1953 to mark the 500^th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire. The name of the city remained the same until 1923 when it was changed to Istanbul.

The origin of the name Constantinople is traceable to exactly May 11^th 330AD after the Emperor Constantine chose an eastern base for the Roman Empire. Work on the city had started 6 years earlier in 324 to create a worthy imperial residence. This was probably the start of the end for an empire that already suffered from divisions and infighting. Sure enough, just over a century later, invaders had overrun the city of Rome.

Constantine, as we know, gained power in Rome in 312AD after the decisive Battle of the Milvian Bridge against his rival Maxentius. That area of Rome is now more famous for its thriving nightlife and a gathering point for football supporters before a game at the nearby Olympic Stadium.

Prior to Constantine, Byzantium had been a Greek colony since the mid-7^th century BC and remained primarily a Greek speaking area until the arrival of the Ottoman Turks in 1453. It is quite interesting that the modern name for the city, Istanbul, comes from a mixture of Greek “Eis-tin-polin” (“To the city”), and “Islambol” in Turkish (“city of Islam”). Constantinople was often referred to as “The City” because of its size and importance.

It is also interesting that the recognition of Istanbul as the official name of the city was only in 1930; exactly 1600 years after Byzantium had become Constantinople. The modern city is now one of the largest in Europe and remains a centre point for trade and a constant mixture of religion, customs and traditions. The name has changed over the changed but Istanbul still maintains its popular status.

Written by: Robert Coghlan

Photos by: Robert Coghlan