Istanbul, formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, has a rich and diverse history that spans over two and a half millennia. Here is a brief overview of the history of [istanbul guide free](https://www.freeistanbulguide.com/ "istanbul guide free"):

Byzantine Empire:In 330 CE, the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great chose Byzantium as the new capital of the Roman Empire and renamed it Constantinople. It became the capital of the Byzantine Empire, which lasted for over a thousand years.