In the 4th century, under the rule of the Roman emperor Constantine, the city was reformed and named Constantinople.
Byzantium's location, between Asia and Europe, allowed it to have an intense commercial development.
Far Eastern products, such as silks, spices and ivory, were resold in Western Europe, along with local products (fabrics, jewelry, fine crafts). This great movement attracted traders of all nationalities to the city.
Constantinople became the "capital of the East", housing a huge population, although the Byzantine Empire had other large cities, such as Nicaea, Antioch, Salonica or Alexandria. Some of them were located in fertile regions and produced important agricultural items, such as wheat, or grapes for wine production.
The political organization had as its greatest expression the figure of the emperor, who, aided by countless officials, commanded the army and led the Church, which called itself orthodox. The emperor was, therefore, very powerful and considered a representative of God on earth.
