Lemnos, Greece
2500 BCE
Rethymno, Greece
800-900 BC
Gjirokaster, Albania
300-200 BCE
Stari Grad, Croatia
4th century BCE
Buscemi, Italy
644 BCE
Lentini, Italy
5th century BC
Caltanissetta, Italy
2300 BCE
Alcamo, Italy
7th century BCE
Prizzi, Italy
7th century BCE
Sammichele di Bari, Italy
6th century BCE
Patras, Greece
1500 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.