Byzas of Megara
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Byzas of Megara
BYZAS OF MEGARA the founder of Byzantium (later Constantinople, later still Istanbul) Date: flourished 657 BC
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Media ID 14274299
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Byzantium Constantinople Flourished Founder Istanbul Megara
EDITORS COMMENTS
Byzas of Megara: The Founder of Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul (Flourished 657 BC) Byzas of Megara, a legendary Greek colonist, is a pivotal figure in the rich history of the European and Mediterranean world. Born in Megara, a city located in the eastern part of the Greek Peloponnese, Byzas is best known for his role as the founder of Byzantium, a city that would later become Constantinople and, in modern times, Istanbul. The exact date of Byzas' birth is not known, but it is believed to have been around 657 BC. According to ancient Greek mythology and historical records, Byzas led a group of colonists from Megara to establish a new settlement on the European side of the Bosphorus Strait, at the northernmost point of the Sea of Marmara. The location was strategically important due to its position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, making it a valuable trading hub. Byzas named the new city Byzantium, after his hometown, Megara. The city flourished under Byzas' leadership, and it quickly became a prosperous center of commerce and culture. Byzas is also credited with introducing the Chalcidian alphabet to the region, which would later become the basis for the Greek alphabet used in the Byzantine Empire. Byzas' legacy extended far beyond the founding of Byzantium. The city would later be renamed Constantinople in 330 AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, who made it the new capital of the Roman Empire. In the late 15th century, the city was renamed Istanbul by the Ottoman Turks, who conquered the city and made it their imperial capital. Despite the many name changes and political shifts over the centuries, Byzas' influence on the city and its history remained a constant. His vision of establishing a thriving settlement at the crossroads of Europe and Asia laid the foundation for one of the world's most iconic and enduring cities. Today, Istanbul stands as a testament to Byzas' foresight and the rich cultural heritage of the ancient world.
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