Symposium
November 7 - 8, 2024
On 8 November 324, Constantine the Great promoted his son Constantius II to the dignity of caesar and bestowed the rank of augusta on his mother, Helena, and his wife Fausta. Having proclaimed his dynastic intentions, he also upgraded the ancient city of Byzantion to the status of an imperial capital bearing his name.
To commemorate the 1700th anniversary of this pivotal event in world history, Istanbul Research Institute and Pera Museum host the international symposium 324: Constantine’s Choice and the Origins of New Rome. Organized by Brigitte Pitarakis and Paul Magdalino, this innovative symposium examines the foundation of Constantinople from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives.
Why did Constantine choose the modest city of Byzantion for his bold urban project, and what did his plan involve? The symposium takes a fresh look at the textual and material evidence, including new archaeological data, to survey the layout of the new imperial capital and the ideology behind it. It also explores such related topics as the establishment of new cities under the Tetrarchy, the aesthetics of Roman cities, the ideological and cultural influence of Alexandria, Constantine’s relationship to Thessalonike, Nikomedeia, and Troy, including the latter’s role in the foundation legends connected to Constantine.
Recent advances in interdisciplinary research also allow for examination of New Rome’s development in light of fourth-century trade in the Eastern Mediterranean and the influx of wealth into Constantinople. Related topics include the provision of grain to the capital, the coin issues of Constantine and his sons, the production of imperial mints in the Marmara region, and the revelations of recovered amphorae and their contents. In addition, new horizons of examination have been opened by the inscriptions, coins, and other finds from the recent and earlier excavations in Istanbul and its environs, Küçükçekmece, İzmit (Nikomedeia), and İznik (Nikaea).
Constantine’s lifetime (ca. 272–337) defines the symposium’s time frame, but written and material evidence from earlier and later periods that contribute to contextualizing the primary focus is given appropriate weight, for example, his sons’ contributions to fulfilling of his bold program. The foundation of Constantinople will also be considered in relation to the dichotomy between his privileged relationship with Apollo and his adoption of Christianity, the other momentous development for which Constantine is famous.
Click for the symposium program.
Click for the symposium booklet.
The symposium, which will take place at Pera Museum Auditorium, is free of charge. No reservations are required.
Simultaneous English-Turkish translation will be provided.
A closer look at the life and works of the artist Barbara Kruger, who is represented with two striking works in the exhibition And Now The Good News, a selection of works from the Nobel Collection.
It is understood from Evliya Çelebi’s well-known Book of Travels that the history of sea baths goes as far back as the 17th century; their acceptance and popularization take place in mid-19th century as a result of Westernization, among other things.
The Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo was founded in 1972 as the first Academy of Fine Arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and became one of the forerunners in Bosnian contemporary art. Academy continued its operation throughout the war years (1992-1995) in besieged Sarajevo and participated in important international art projects.
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 19:00
Friday 10:00 - 22:00
Sunday 12:00 - 18:00
The museum is closed on Mondays.
On Wednesdays, the students can
visit the museum free of admission.
Full ticket: 300 TL
Discounted: 150 TL
Groups: 200 TL (minimum 10 people)
