Nicomedia

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Editor: rasim terzi (Tue, Mar 11, 2025 4:57 PM)

The Forgotten Capital of the Roman Empire

Nicomedia

In the glorious history of the Roman Empire, there is a period often overlooked, yet of great strategic and political importance: the 46-year period when Nicomedia (modern İzmit) served as the capital. This period represents one of the turning points of the empire and emerges as a critical transitional phase in the process from Rome to Constantinople.

Historical Background

Looking at the chronology of the Roman Empire's capitals, we see three important periods: First Rome (753 BCE - 284 CE), then Nicomedia (284 CE - 330 CE), and finally Constantinople (330 CE - 1453 CE). In this chronology, the Nicomedia period represents a transitional process that is generally not covered in detail in history books.

Between 235-284 CE, the Roman Empire was going through a period of deep chaos. During this 49-year period, 22 different emperors ascended to the throne, with an average reign of only 2.5 years. Most of the emperors were killed by their own guards, and the commanders who replaced them shared a similar fate.

Diocletian's Reforms and the Rise of Nicomedia

The turning point came in 284 CE. With the death of Emperor Numerian near İzmit during his Persian campaign, Diocletian, the commander of cavalry units, was declared emperor in Nicomedia. As a leader who had witnessed the chaos the empire experienced, Diocletian implemented radical reforms.

Among Diocletian's first actions were:

Dispersing military commanders away from the center to different regions of the country
Separating military and civil authority
Reorganizing the financial system to strengthen the economy
And most importantly, moving the capital from Rome to Nicomedia

The Historical Embrace of Emperors

One of the most striking artifacts showing the historical importance of Nicomedia can be seen in the Kocaeli Archaeological Museum. This piece shows Two Emperors Embracing. In this scene, the meeting of Emperor Diocletian and Emperor Maximian during the city entrance ceremony (adventus) is depicted. Both emperors are portrayed in splendid attire reflecting the magnificence of the period: they wear arched, sleeved tunics adorned with gold bands, trousers, and tasseled imperial cloaks. The emperors' short-cut hair and beards serve as historical documents in terms of reflecting the typical features of the 3rd century soldier emperors.

Development of Nicomedia as the Capital

With Nicomedia becoming the capital, a comprehensive transformation began in the city. The imperial palace was renovated and expanded, city walls were repaired, and a hippodrome was built for public entertainment. The city's strategic location provided great advantages, especially in terms of maritime trade. Grain, fruit, and oil from Egypt and Libya; wines from Lesbos, Cyprus, Italy, and Gaul gathered at the port of Nicomedia.

Diocletian's views on Rome clearly reveal the motivation behind changing the capital. His words to Commander Constantine are quite striking: "Rome is truly adorned with magnificent works... But when you get into it, you will understand that it is a source of sedition and a nest of treachery."

City of Four Emperors

During the 46-year period when Nicomedia was the capital, four different emperors ruled the city: Galerius, Maximin Daia, Licinius, and Constantine. This process ended in 330 CE when Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople.

Diocletian himself took an unprecedented decision in history by resigning after 21 years of rule. His response to calls for his return constitutes one of the most interesting anecdotes in Roman Empire history: "I cannot waste the time I spend growing cabbage to rule the empire!"

Unfortunately, physical remains from this important period of Nicomedia that have survived to the present day are quite limited. Especially in the last 50 years, many historical artifacts have been lost in İzmit. However, there have been positive developments in the last decade, and important steps have been taken to preserve artifacts from the Roman period. The massive statue of Hercules and the statues representing the gods of seasons exhibited in the established Archaeology and Ethnography Museum are rare examples of the city's glorious past that have reached the present day.

The period when Nicomedia was the capital represents a critical stage in the transformation process of the Roman Empire. This process is a harbinger of the empire's shift to the east and the beginning of the Byzantine period. Today, this rich history lying beneath modern İzmit awaits being brought to light again through archaeological studies and conservation projects.

Tue, Mar 11, 2025 4:57 PM

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