Byzantine cities:

Map showing many of the cities of the Byzantine world

You may either go to to the dropdown arrow on the menu and see the list, or you can click on links to the cities here to see my articles:

Nicaea – Nicaea was among the better cities of the Byzantine world, and from 1204-1261 it was the capital of the Roman Empire, the only city besides Constantinople to have the honor. It also had a long and important history – the Council of Nicaea and the Nicene creed come to mind. It also was the subject of an important battle of the First Crusade.

Thessaloniki – Thessaloniki was probably the second most important city of the medieval Roman Empire for most of its existence. It was a major bulwark in the Balkans against Bulgarian, Slavic, and Avar expansion. It was sacked in 904 by the Arabs and in 1185 by the Normans. The city was given to Venice in 1423 while it was under siege by the Ottomans, and finally fell to the Turks in 1430.

Adrianople – Arguably the most important city in the Roman Balkans after Constantinople and Thessaloniki. It was a strategic city well situated to protect Thrace and Constantinople, which was extremely important in maintaining the balance of power. At times Thessaloniki and Adrianople were the only strongpoints outside Constantinople in Europe. It was also the site of the famous Battle of Adrianople in 378, when the Goths defeated the Roman army and killed the Emperor Valens.

Attaleia(Antalya today) – Once of one of the most important Byzantine cities, and crucial in the imperial strategic planning during the Arab-Byzantine wars. Attaleia was the first line of naval defense against the Arabs, and a stronghold which never fell to the Caliphate and was never sacked by the Arabs due to its great fortifications.

Trebizond (modern Trabzon) – Trebizond was an ancient city in Pontus and was most noteworthy in Byzantine history as the capital of the independent Empire of Trebizond from 1204-1461, which was ruled by the Komnenos family. It was an important trade city on the Black Sea as well.

Prousa (Bursa) – An important city in the last period of Byzantine rule in Anatolia and as well as being important in the rise of the Ottoman Empire, serving as their capital city. It fell to the Turks in 1326.

Priene – An ancient city which declined in late antiquity but had an interesting little revival in the 11th-13th centuries.

Amorion(Amorium) – An important city in the defense of Anatolia, and a thematic headquarters for the Anatolikon. The city is an interesting archaeological site (which I discuss in the article). It was heavily fortified, but nonetheless was viciously destroyed by the Arabs in the 9th century. There are still skeletons from the destruction which have been excavated.

Byzantine Athens – Athens is famous for its ancient past, but its medieval history is interesting and worth learning about as well. It was not hugely important in Byzantine times, but life went on. The Parthenon for example was a Church during this time.

Sinope – The city of Sinope in Anatolia was a major port and a key part of the Black Sea trade network, it had strong trade relations with the Crimea.

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