Athens, Greece
447 BC
Athens, Greece
c. 495-429 BC
Athens, Greece
421-406 BCE
Athens, Greece
100-0 BCE
Athens, Greece
437 BC
Athens, Greece
420 BCE
Athens, Greece
420 BCE
Athens, Greece
161 AD
Athens, Greece
6th century BC
Athens, Greece
159 BCE (1952-1956)
Aswan, Egypt
4th century BCE
Taormina, Italy
3rd century BCE
Athens, Greece
5th century BCE
Edfu, Egypt
237-57 BCE
Heraklion, Greece
2000 BC
Athens, Greece
6th century BC
Athens, Greece
520 BC
Athens, Greece
450 BCE
Kom Ombo, Egypt
180-47 BC
Athens, Greece
490-480 BCE
The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.