Foundations

Accompanying the foundation of the Byzantium Empire (330 C.E.) was the creation of the Forum of Constantine. Located outside of the walls of the new empire, the forum was a monument to the great reign accomplished by Constantine. Constantine successfully defended the empire against foreign attacks and relocated the capital of the empire to a location fit as a cultural center bridging two worlds. The admiration society held for Emperor Constantine is reflected in the centerpiece of the forum. A 50-meter-tall column in the center of the forum crowned with a statue of Emperor Constantine adorned as Apollo was erected shortly after the opening of the forum. The centerpiece is also surrounded by eight small statues of various animals. The symbolism of the monument showed a strong statement of pride. Constantine is represented as the messenger to the gods, which can be seen as both a gracious remark and an attempt to justify the effort of conquest. Modern recreations of the column show Constantine in a pose holding a small globe, the Earth, in his right hand. At this point in history, Constantine had world dominating power, but, as the Column of Constantine closely mirrors, nothing can escape the test of time.