The capital of the Byzantine Empire was Constantinople. Founded by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in 330 AD, it was strategically located on the Bosporus Strait, allowing it to control trade routes between Europe and Asia. The city became a major center for culture, commerce, and Christianity, embodying the wealth and power of the Byzantine state. Renowned for its architectural achievements, such as the Hagia Sophia, it remained the empire's capital until its fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Constantinople's legacy continues to influence modern Istanbul, serving as a vital historical and cultural bridge between East and West.