Constantinople the Capital of the Roman Empire (330 CE)

Emperor Constantine declared Constantinople, a new city he built on the Bosporus which he called the 'New Rome, the capital of his empire.  He had chosen the remains of the ancient city of Byzantium to be the nucleus of the new city and he was determined to build it along a grand and luxurious scale and similar to the 'Old Rome'.  The new city by 330 CE ushered in the Age of Byzantium, a mélange of Greek, Egyptian and Roman heritage in arts, crafts, culture and sciences.  Constantine adorned the city with Egyptian monuments, such as the obelisk, and brought from Alexandria fifty copies of the Bible written on vellum for use in the city's churches.

Death of Emperor Constantine

Emperor Constantine died in 337 CE after having reigned for thirty years.  The Eastern Orthodox Church considers him to be one of the best emperors, even a saint.

Constantine had three sons: Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans.  The three bore the rank Augustus for being emperors.  The first ruled Britain, Spain and Gaul, while the second ruled the east.  Constans ruled  Italy, Pannonia and parts of Africa.