Khalkedon

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A historical city known for its significant role in ancient Greek and Roman times
2. A site of archaeological importance located on the Asian side of the Bosporus
3. An ancient center of culture and trade that influenced regional developments in antiquity

Etymology: Khalkedon is the Greek name of Chalcedon, an ancient city on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, opposite Byzantium (later Constantinople, now Istanbul). Greek colonists from Megara founded it around 685 BCE, and the name is usually connected with "khalkos," bronze, though the exact reason for the name is not certain. The city's most striking early episode is a reputation for poor judgment: Byzantium's founders reportedly passed over the more favourable European site across the strait and settled on the Asian side first, and the Greek saying "blind as the men of Chalcedon" was used to mock them. The city's importance came from its position controlling access to the Black Sea. Its harbour sat at the entrance to the strait, so ships and trade routes passed under its eye, and under Roman and later Byzantine rule it remained a prosperous port. Its name is best known today from the Council of Chalcedon, held there in 451 CE, which issued a statement defining the relationship between the divine and human natures of Christ that still shapes several major Christian churches.

Synonyms: Chalcedon