Istanbul, one of the most beautiful and significant cities in the world, holds a profound historical legacy as the former capital of three empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Recent excavations in Yenikapı unveiled ancient relics, revealing a history dating back to 8500 B.C. In 667 B.C., the Dorians from Greece settled here, initially naming the city Byzantion in honor of their king, Byzas.
The importance and historical identity of Istanbul began with the arrival of Roman Emperor Constantine, who declared it the capital of the Roman Empire in 330 A.D. Constantine, recognized as the first Roman emperor to embrace Christianity and a key figure in its global dissemination, is now revered as the 13th Apostle in the Christian world. Following his death in 337 A.D., the citizens of this ancient city, once a fishing harbor, named it Constantinopolis (City of Constantine) in his honor.
Although initially named Nova Roma (New Rome) in 330 A.D., this name did not resonate with the populace, and from 337 A.D. onwards, the city came to be known as Constantinopolis. Istanbul retained this name for 1006 years as Byzantion and for 1116 years as Constantinopolis until its conquest by Ottoman Emperor Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453.
After the Ottoman conquest, Istanbul was declared the capital and retained that status until the proclamation of the Republic. During the Ottoman Empire, the name Istanbul faced little debate. It was referred to as "Konstantiniyye" in Muslim sources and Arabic. The Seljuks also used this name, and later during the Ottoman Empire, "Konstantiniyye" remained prevalent, with the exception of Sultan III. Mustafa, who used "Islambol" in his decrees, signifying the capital of the Caliphate. Among the people, alternative names like "Dersaadet" (City of Happiness) and "Asitane" (Great Abode) were used.
The name "Istanbul" is a Turkish adaptation of the Greek phrase "is-tin-polis," meaning "to the city." It emerged as people in the region asked for directions to the city, leading to the term "Stanpolis" (the city) being used, which eventually evolved into Istanbul with the prefix "I" and "I" added. The name Istanbul with various pronunciations like Istinbolin, Sitanbul, Istinpol (Istinpolis), or Estambol started to appear in Arabic and Turkish sources in the 10th and 11th centuries.
In Western societies, the city was referred to as Konstantinopolis, and it was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, who officially abolished this name. On March 28, 1930, Atatürk enacted the Turkish Postal Service Law, mandating that all international correspondence should use the name Istanbul, not Konstantinopolis.
The conquest of Istanbul remains a poignant memory in the Western world. When the Allied forces arrived in Istanbul in 1919, British Commander Allenby entered the city on a white horse, a deliberate reversal of Fatih Sultan Mehmet's entry into Constantinople. Despite their efforts, they could not achieve their goals due to the strength and bravery of the Turkish people.
Contrary to popular belief, the name Konstantinopolis is not of Greek or Roman origin, as Emperor Constantine, who gave the city its name and declared it the capital of the Roman Empire, was not Greek. He was born in Naissos (Nis), a Roman territory in present-day Serbia, and had Italian roots.
In summary, Istanbul has been known by various names throughout history, each reflecting the cultural and historical context of the civilizations that inhabited it. The Ottoman Empire's acceptance of this diversity speaks volumes about their confidence and tolerance as a state.
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