Ancient Greek City of Nicaea
Nicaea (also spelled Nicæa or Nicea), known in Ancient Greek as Nikaia, was a significant city in the northwestern Anatolian region of Bithynia. It played a crucial role in ancient history, particularly as the site of the First and Second Councils of Nicaea, which were pivotal in shaping early Christianity. It later served as the capital of the Empire of Nicaea and was briefly an Ottoman capital. Today, Nicaea’s legacy endures in the modern Turkish city of İznik.
Below, World History Edu explores the city’s historical trajectory, architecture, and influence across different eras.
Remains of the Roman Theatre in Nicaea.
Geography and Strategic Importance
Nicaea was situated in a fertile basin at the eastern end of Lake Ascanius, surrounded by hills to the north and south. Its west wall rose directly from the lake, offering natural protection against sieges and ensuring a steady supply route. The city’s fortifications included 5 kilometers of walls, about 10 meters high, reinforced by over 100 towers and a double ditch. These defensive structures, along with its strategic location, made Nicaea a key military and administrative hub.
İznik, a district in Bursa Province, Turkey, spans 753 km² with a population of about over 47,000. Located on ancient Nicaea’s site, it lies in a fertile basin by Lake İznik, 90 km from Istanbul (200 km by road) and about 80 km from Bursa.
Early History and Foundation
The city’s origins are debated. It was said to have been founded by Bottiaeans or by soldiers from Alexander the Great’s army. The first Greek colony on the site was likely destroyed by the Mysians. In around 315 BC, Antigonus I Monophthalmus refounded the city as Antigoneia. After his defeat at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC, Lysimachus captured the city and renamed it Nicaea in honor of his late wife.
By the 3rd century BC, the city came under the rule of the Bithynian kings, who elevated it to a royal court and rivaled Nicomedia as the preeminent city of Bithynia. This rivalry continued for centuries, reflecting the city’s enduring importance.
Roman Period
Nicaea became part of the Roman Republic in 72 BC and maintained its status as a major urban center. The geographer Strabo described it as a well-planned city, built in a square grid pattern with four main gates. Pliny the Younger, as governor, contributed to its rebuilding after a devastating fire.
In 123 AD, Emperor Hadrian visited the city following a destructive earthquake. He initiated a reconstruction project, although the new city walls failed to prevent a Gothic sack in 258 AD. Throughout the Roman period, Nicaea remained a cultural and religious center, with numerous festivals and public buildings attesting to its significance.
Christian Councils and Religious Importance
Nicaea played a foundational role in Christian history. After Emperor Constantine I legalized Christianity through the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, he convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325. This council produced the Nicene Creed, a defining statement of Christian doctrine that affirmed Jesus as divine and opposed Arianism.
In 787, the Second Council of Nicaea was held, addressing the iconoclastic controversy and affirming the veneration of Christian images. This council also reinforced the church’s independence from secular rulers. These events cemented Nicaea’s place as a religious and theological center.
READ MORE: Why did Roman Emperor Constantine the Great convert to Christianity?
Byzantine Period
By the 4th century, Nicaea had grown into a prosperous city and military hub. It suffered damage from earthquakes in 363 and 368, but remained significant. During the 6th century, Emperor Justinian I restored several key buildings, including an aqueduct originally built by Hadrian.
In the 8th century, Nicaea successfully resisted Umayyad attacks and became the capital of the Opsician Theme. The city continued to be a center of administration and trade, with a Jewish community documented in the 10th century. Various rebellions against the Byzantine Empire found support in Nicaea, indicating its political importance.
Empire of Nicaea (1204–1261)
Following the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the Latin Empire occupied Constantinople, forcing the Byzantine court to relocate to Nicaea. Theodore Laskaris established the Empire of Nicaea, which became the de facto Byzantine government in exile.
During this period, Nicaea flourished as a political and cultural center. It hosted imperial ceremonies, synods, and intellectual activity. The city retained this role until 1261 when Constantinople was recaptured, and the Byzantine Empire was restored.
The famous Lefke Gate in Nicaea.
Decline and Ottoman Conquest
Despite its prominence, Nicaea’s importance waned in the later Byzantine period. Neglected by Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, it suffered from internal uprisings and external threats. In 1329, after the Byzantine defeat at Pelekanon, the city could no longer be defended effectively. The Ottomans, led by Orhan, captured Nicaea in 1331, making it a temporary capital.
Under Ottoman rule, many of Nicaea’s ancient structures were repurposed or dismantled. The Hagia Sophia church was converted into a mosque, and new buildings, such as madrasas and baths, were constructed. Though it later lost political significance, Nicaea became known for its distinctive faience pottery industry in the 17th century.
Did you know…?
Several historical figures were associated with Nicaea, including:
- Hipparchus (c. 190–120 BC): A pioneering Greek astronomer and mathematician.
- Cassius Dio (c. 150–235 AD): A Roman historian known for his extensive works on Roman history.
- Sporus of Nicaea (c. 240–300 AD): A mathematician and astronomer.
- Georgius Pachymeres (1242–c. 1310 AD): A Byzantine historian who chronicled the late Byzantine Empire.
Architectural and Archaeological Remains
The well-preserved walls of Nicaea remain a key attraction. They measure 3,100 meters in circumference and include four large gates. Built using a combination of Roman tiles and stone, the walls contain architectural fragments from earlier buildings, showcasing the city’s layered history.
Ruins of mosques, baths, and houses indicate Nicaea’s importance in both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Many of these structures incorporated elements from older Greek and Roman buildings.
The bishopric of Nicaea remains a titular see in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It continues to be recognized for its historical contributions to Christian doctrine.
The Church of the Dormition was one of the most architecturally significant Byzantine churches in Asia Minor. Dating back to at least the 6th century, it featured a domed structure and exquisite mosaics. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in 1922, with only partial ruins surviving today.
The Hagia Sophia of Nicaea, where the Second Council was held, is undergoing restoration. It remains a symbol of the city’s religious legacy.
Recent archaeological discoveries have revealed the submerged ruins of a 4th-century basilica beneath Lake Iznik. Some historians speculate that this may have been the original site of the First Council of Nicaea.
Located 8 km from Nicaea, a rock-engraved relief of Herakles provides evidence of the region’s deep-rooted artistic and mythological traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Nicaea’s historical significance?
Nicaea was a major city in Bithynia, known for hosting the First and Second Councils of Nicaea, producing the Nicene Creed, and serving as the capital of the Empire of Nicaea (1204–1261) after the Fourth Crusade.
A 2012 photo of the Hagia Sophia of Nicaea
How did Nicaea get its name?
Lysimachus renamed the city Nicaea after his late wife following his victory over Antigonus I Monophthalmus at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC.
What role did Nicaea play in the Byzantine era?
Nicaea was a key military and administrative center, hosting two ecumenical councils and serving as a temporary Byzantine capital during Latin rule (1204–1261).
Why was Nicaea strategically important?
Its location by Lake Ascanius provided natural defenses and supply routes, while its fortified walls made it a stronghold against sieges.
What happened to Nicaea during the Ottoman conquest?
The Ottomans captured Nicaea in 1331, briefly making it their capital, repurposing its buildings for Islamic use, and later developing a major faïence pottery industry.
What remains of ancient Nicaea today?
Its city walls, gates, aqueduct remnants, and the ruins of structures like the Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Dormition make it an important archaeological and tourist site.
Who were some notable figures from Nicaea?
Hipparchus (astronomer), Cassius Dio (historian), and Georgius Pachymeres (Byzantine scholar) were among its distinguished residents.
