1. Antecedent: Byzantine City

2. The Byzantine Empire The partition of the Roman Empire. Main characteristics of the eastern part. Christianity as State religion. The reign of Justinian I. X-XI centuries: Empire’s renaissance. The decline of the Empire.

3. Cities during Justinian period Renovatio imperii: a strong building activity. Tradition and innovation. The governance of the old cities and the foundation of new cities. Military needs and security issues. The decline of the urban life. Christianization of the cities. A new idea of the city.

4. From polis to kastron The contraction of the city: decline of the public spaces, ruralization and militarization. The centrality of the fortress and the transformation of the public buildings. Imperial and episcopal complexes. Building with wasted materials. The end of the monumental city.

5. An urban reinaissance Territorial reconquest and strenghtening of the urban network. Image and characteristics of a «strong» city. Towers and walls. Urban structures: demographic density, irregularity of the grid road system. The role of the monastries.

6. Constantinople: the origins The importance of a strategic site. Greek-Roman colony. Constantine and the planning of a new imperial city. The representation of the imperial power. Religious cults. Wealthy elites and leisure activities.

7. Constantinople: a megacity Theodosius II and the expansion of the city. Infrastructure and building regulation. Churches and monastries: the impact of the Christianity. The urban development during the reign of Justinian I. A new Rome.

8. Costantinople in the Byzantine period

10. Constantinople's monumental center