It is a cruel and poignant reminder of the tumultuous history of Istanbul that when foreigners use the name Constantinople, they attribute it to the city’s history as the former capital of the Byzantine Empire. At the point when Istanbul was named Constantinople in 330 ce by Emperor Constantine, the city’s name changed and it retained its classic appellation of Constantinople for more than a millennium until the Ottoman conquest in 1453. Nevertheless, although it is understandable that many may have fond admirers to the splendor of the ancient city, by calling Istanbul Constantinople the city’s entire and rich history is minimized and its present day inhabitants marginalized.
For starters, Istanbul has embraced a unique and rich history which extends beyond the Byzantine Empire and which should be respected. Istanbul is in its own right a major city with a history that far predates 330 ce. The city of Istanbul is a living relic of the five empires (the Roman, the Goths, the Latin, the Ottoman, and the Byzantine) that have controlled her since she was the ancient capital of Greek and Roman Empires.
Moreover, since Istanbul is a cosmopolitan city home to more than 15 million people, it is the city’s inhabitants who are directly affected by the consequences of calling it Constantinople and thus, they should be the ones deciding on its appellation. To imply that istanbul is only the remnant of the former Constantinople diminishes the demographic changes since the city was named and further marginalizes the city’s present inhabitants. Thus, when foreigners use the name Constantinople, Istanbul ceases to reflect its present inhabitants. In using the name Constantinople, one reverts to the historicist narrative of a “bygone era” instead of recognizing the current inhabitants, its ethnic and religious diversity, and its current politics.
Notably, Istanbul is a city of myriad of possibilities, each changing from day to day and hour to hour, with its rich history emanating from the mosaic of cultures and religions that have crisscrossed in her course. Therefore, its demographic changes should be embraced as a testimony to its past and present, recognizing its diversity, and not as something to be forgotten in a quick reference to the former Constantinople Empire.
Changes In Demography
In addition to having an immense historical and cultural significance, Istanbul is now a super-city and a major financial and commercial centre in Europe. The current population of the city has emerged over many centuries with more than 5 million people. It reflects a complex history of millions of immigrants from Asia Minor, Caucasus Mountains, Central Asia, the Balkans and other parts of Europe. Since the advent of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, this new cosmopolitan society has been steadily homogenizing as more and more immigrants from different parts of the country move to the city.
Today’s vibrant and dynamic Istanbul is a complex web of national, ethnic, and religious identities inextricably linked by the shared history of four empires. If it weren’t for its expansive history, Istanbul would have never emerged as the crossroads for Eastern and Western Europe, Asia and Africa. Such complexity in its history has enabled its robust and colorful multicultural society, where more than ninety percent of the residents are affiliated with the Sunni branch of Islam, while members of the Jewish and Christian community make up the rest of the population.
This religious, ethnic and cultural diversity has been the driving force behind Istanbul’s reputation as a truly remarkable international metropolis. It has also provided an opportunity for its current population to serve as a constant reminder of the span of history that the city has endured over time.
Effects Of Calling Istanbul ‘Constantinople’
By calling Istanbul Constantinople, foreign visitors are overlooking its legacy of diversity and celebrating the city’s past at the cost of marginalizing the present day inhabitants. This also perpetuates the popular notion of the city’s antiquity as a lost and forgotten relic of the former Byzantine Empire. It also implies that the city has yet to find new identity, while ignores the historical and societal changes that have occurred.
Moreover, using the name Istanbul gives foreigners an opportunity to appreciate the real and dominant culture and language of the city, which has been somewhat lost in the discourse of perpetual nostalgia of the former Constantinople. Using the name Istanbul emphasizes the significance of the city’s current cultural and political landscape whereas calling it Constantinople denies its present inhabitants the recognition the city deserves.
The city of Istanbul is far more than a mere relic of the past, and its present inhabitants should be respected, honored and acknowledged in at least the same measure as its Byzantine history. Upon visiting Istanbul, it is essential to remember this history without overlooking the vibrant diversity of the city, and the complexity of the identities and cultures that have created and sustained it.
Factors for Preservation of History
Considering the vastness of it’s history, the city of Istanbul is host to thousands of monuments, various markets, bazaars, holy places, museums, public spaces, historical layers, etc. All these things are contributing to the preservation of the intricate history of the city. Every traveler who visits Istanbul will find out that there are many aspects of the city which are tied directly to its long history. Despite its many names throughout time, the city of Istanbul is still known as the “Crossroads of Civilizations” today.
In addition, Istanbul is also home to many cultural monuments such as The Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, The Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, The Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, and many more. All of these monuments are evidence of the city’s long and complicated history. In addition, Istanbul also contains some of the world’s finest examples of Islamic architecture, including several large Sufi Zawiyas and tekyes which are destinations for millions of visitors.
Today, the preservation of Istanbul’s history is very important to the city’s residents. From students at the local schools to people in the local government, everyone has a responsibility to ensure that Istanbul’s history and culture remains intact. The transmission of knowledge and memories through generations of Istanbul’s people is a constant effort, one which will help the city maintain its identity and legacy.
Significance Of Modern Society
The modern society of Istanbul is even more heterogeneous than its previous generations, with immigrants from all over the world ranging from Europe to Africa and Asia, making the city an even more vibrant and unique expression of how different cultures can mix and interact with each other. This vibrant modern society is making Istanbul a crucial hub for commerce, trade, intellectual discourse, cuisine, and art, and have made the city a melting pot for different cultures.
Istanbul’s modern society is making a great contribution to the world not only in terms of its own local cultural richness, but also in terms of its potential to build bridges between the East and the West. The modern society is contributing to the city in terms of not only its cultural riches, but also in terms of its capacity to build connections between different nations, religions and languages.
Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on modern, technological and artistic innovation which has resulted in a number of modern centers of excellence, including education, healthcare, finance, information technology, and other fields. Istanbul is also a major contributor to the global economy and has become a hub of technological and business innovation as the city strives to distinguish itself in the international scene.
Conclusion
It is clear that Istanbul is much more than just a former capital of the Byzantine Empire. It is a city full of history, culture, modern society, and innovation. It is important to take into consideration the whole of Istanbul’s history when naming the city. We should respect and celebrate the city for its current culture and inhabitants as well as its past. By doing so, we help to ensure that Istanbul is accepted and appreciated for all of its beautiful qualities as a city and encourage others to learn and appreciate its intricate history.
