jan 1, 196 - 196 C.E. Destruction and Rebuilding of Byzantium

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Herodian of Syria, or Herodian of Antioch, wrote in the History of the Empire from the Death of Marcus, a historical text detailing the Roman Empire's history from 180 to 238. Not much is known about him, other than that he was alive during most of these events. Attached is a cover of a modern translation of some of his works.

Herodian details how in 196 C.E., the city of Byzantium was besieged and destroyed by the Roman Legions under the command of Septimius Severus in his vie for control of the Roman Emperorship. The city was attacked as a consequence for opposing him in his civil war against Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinusand. The city was even stripped of its legal and political rights after its destruction. Even though it was destroyed and humiliated as punishment for supporting the losing side of the civil war the victorious and now Roman Emperor Septimius Severus rebuilt it soon after and named it "Augusta Antonina" in honor of his son.

This is a significant point in the history of the city of Byzantium that could have changed the entire course of the city. Even with whole parts of the city being destroyed and stripped of its political and legal the rights Severus understood just how important and strategic the placement of the city was. It was promptly rebuilt and quickly reached the level of influence and wealth it had before the city's destruction and even surpassed its former levels because of the fact it was rebuilt by command of an Emperor. If not for these rebuilding efforts the growth of the city would have certainly been stunted by the destruction, and it would have taken longer for the city to grow into the megalopolis it would eventually become.

Sources:

Primary:
Herodian, History of the Roman Empire 3.6.10; tr. E.C. Echols

Secondary:
“Roman Byzantium.” Livius, https://www.livius.org/articles/place/constantinople-istanbul/roman-byzantium/.

“The Reforms of Diocletian and Constantine.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/place/Byzantine-Empire/The-reforms-of-Diocletian-and-Constantine.

“Septimius Severus.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Septimius-Severus.

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