By 117 CE, the Roman Empire surrounded the entire Mediterranean Sea. This was a large area of land and very hard to protect and rule, especially the provinces located far from the capital of Rome. In 293 CE, Emperor Diocletian decided to build a second capital city in the East. This new capital was located on the Black Sea. It sat at the crossroads between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Asian continent. The new capital was named Constantinople in 324 CE, during the reign of Emperor Constantine. The city of Constantinople connected Asia and Europe. Trade was growing in this area. Merchants were taking advantage of the Roman roads that connected towns and provinces. Trade was increasing in the eastern part of the Roman Empire more than in the western part. Emperor Diocletian saw this growing wealth and took command of the new region.
