Bosphorus/Bosporus (Boghaz-Ici) from Byzantine to Latin and Ottoman Times (4th-l5th Centuries): Constantinople Viewed from the Northeast Water Currents.

• Author: Leiser, Gary

Bosphorus/Bosporus (Boghaz-Ici) from Byzantine to Latin and Ottoman Times (4th-l5th Centuries): Constantinople Viewed from the Northeast Water Currents. By ALEXIOS G. C. SAVVIDES. Athens: HEROTODOS, 2020. Pp. 238. [euro]30.

Alexios G. C. Savvides, known for his many works on Byzantine and Byzantine-Seljuk history, which are characterized by his scrupulous and comprehensive research, as exemplified by his thorough bibliographic coverage, has reached a significant milestone with Bosphorus/Bosporus (Boghaz-Ici) from Byzantine to Latin and Ottoman Times (4th-15th Centuries). From the nucleus of his revision and expanded version of V. J. Perry's article "Boghaz-ici" in EI2, which he prepared for EI3, he "sets out to survey the historical fortunes of this unique spot [the Bosphorus], covering the entire medieval period through a wide range of primary sources in Greek, Latin, Arabic, Turkish, and Hebrew, along with an extensive selection of secondary authorities, from the foundation of Constantinople-New Rome until the Ottoman conquest." This he does with admirable skill. His focus is on toponymy, topography, and historical geography within the framework of a detailed chronological sketch of the political history of Constantinople.

From its founding in 330 CE to its conquest by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, Constantinople and the Bosphorus, which it commanded from the southwestern shore of these straits, were repeatedly coveted by conquering armies, aspiring rulers, and invaders of all sorts from the east, west, and north. The reason for this is obvious: geography--one is tempted to say, "spectacular geography." The narrow straits of the Bosphorus are the only sea lane, and a dramatic one, connecting the Black Sea in the north to the Sea of Marmara in the south. From there the Mediterranean beckons via the Dardanelles. They also mark the division, both symbolically and physically, between Europe and Asia. These features made the Bosphorus the nexus of a global trade network and the convergence of civilizations. As a result, they made Constantinople--and Byzantium--rich and powerful.

Savvides introduces his work with an extensive bibliographical note covering recent work related to his subject, along with cartographical information. He then launches into his topic proper. He divides his book into four chapters: (1) "Toponomy" (in which he discusses various names for the straits), topography, and historical geography; (2) "Outline of the Byzantine...