Istanbul
Name
Istanbul
Variant Names
Costantinopoli
Province/County/State
Istanbul (province)
Nations
Turkey (nation)
Descriptive Note Text
The city was held by the Persian Empire in 512 BCE. Later was a Roman Republic free city. It was the seat of Constantine I's empire from 330, and the terminus of the ancient Silk Road trade route. Was declared a Christian city by Constantine. From the 6th-13th centuries, the city was attacked by Persians, Arabs, Bulgars and Russians, and eventually taken by the Fourth Crusade army in 1203. Later taken by Ottomans.