In 324 when Constantine defeated Licinius he decided to found a new capital for the emperor. This was a common task since many emperors had founded or re-founded cities during the third and fourth century's. He did not want to move the capital from Rome to Constantinople, he wanted Constantinople to become the new capital of the Byzantine civilization. It soon outstripped every other city in beauty and prosperity and by the fifth century its fortune had become identified with that of the empire as a whole.
City Foundation
The decision to found the city was made after Constantine fought Licinius in the area. Where he saw the strategic advantage of Byzantium.This was not his only choice, he also considered Sirmium and Troy.
He choose Constantinople for three main reasons:
1. It was ideally situated between the eastern and northern military frontiers.
2. It was to become an important center of trade, located as it was on major north-south and east-west trade routes.
3.Constantine wanted to honor his military victory in a typically imperial fashion, and felt the beauty of the city did just that.
I like the reasons you gave for why he chose Constantinople as the center of Byzantium. The website was very detailed. I think it is interesting that he also considered Troy and Sirmium; I did not know that.
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