Historical Names of Istanbul: From Byzantium to Constantinople to Islambol

Istanbul's names read like a history of civilization. Straddling Europe and Asia, each name marks an empire's rise.

Major Historical Names

1. Byzantion / Byzantium (c. 657 BC): Founded by Greek colonists from Megara. Named after legendary leader **Byzas**.
2. Augusta Antonina (early 3rd c. AD): Briefly renamed by Emperor Septimius Severus for his son Antoninus (Caracalla).
3. Constantinople / Konstantinoupolis (330 AD): **Constantine the Great** refounded it as **Nova Roma** (New Rome), but "Constantine's City" stuck. Capital of Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire for 1,100+ years.
4. New Rome / Nova Roma: Official ceremonial name; reflected imperial ambition.
5. City of the Seven Hills: Deliberate parallel to Rome—built on seven hills.
6. Queen of Cities (Vasileuousa Polis): Medieval epithet for its wealth, culture, strategic primacy.
7. Kostantiniyye / Konstantiniyye: Ottoman Turkish adaptation of Constantinople (used officially for centuries).
8. Islambol (إسلام بول): "City of Islam" or "Full of Islam"—Ottoman popular name post-1453 conquest.
9. Dersaadet (Der-i Saadet): "Gate of Felicity"—Ottoman official title.
10. Asitane (آستانه): "The Threshold" (of the Sultan/Caliphate)—Ottoman diplomatic usage.
11. Darülhilafe: "Abode of the Caliphate"—after Ottomans claimed caliphate (1517).
12. Stamboul / Estanbul: Colloquial Turkish for "The City" (from *eis tēn Polin* — "to the City").
13. Istanbul (İstanbul): Official Turkish Republic name (1930), derived from *Stamboul*. Internationally adopted post-1920s.

Western Usage

"Constantinople" persisted in Western languages until **1930** when Turkey formally requested the switch. The US Board on Geographic Names adopted "Istanbul" in 1930.