TheForum of Constantine (Greek:Φόρος Κωνσταντίνου,romanized: Fóros Konstantínou;Latin:Forum Constantini) was built at the foundation ofConstantinople immediately outside theold city walls ofByzantium. It marked the centre of the new city, and was a central point along theMese, the main ceremonial road through the city.[1] It was circular and had two monumental gates to the east and west. TheColumn of Constantine, which still stands upright and is known today in Turkish asÇemberlitaş, was erected in the centre of the square.
The column was originally crowned with a statue ofConstantine I (3. 306-337) asApollo,[2] but a strong gale in 1150 caused the statue and three of the column's upper drums to fall, and a cross was added in its place by theByzantine emperorManuel I Komnenos (r. 1143-1180). Otherwise the forum remained nearly intact until theFourth Crusade in 1203–1204. The city's first Senate House lay on the north side of it. It is known from the sources that the square was decorated with a number of antique statues, but it is impossible to determine their exact appearance and location.
The Forum suffered major damage in a fire started by soldiers of the Fourth Crusade in 1203. After theSack of 1204, the antique statues decorating the Forum were melted down by the Crusaders.
41°00′32″N28°58′16″E / 41.009°N 28.971°E /41.009; 28.971
 | ThisByzantine Empire–related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |