Research Article

The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople

Volume: 10 Number: Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı October 31, 2025
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The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople

Abstract

The 626 Avar Siege and the Roman-Sasanian War marked a significant turning point in the political and religious identity of Constantinople. The city survived due to the strength of the Theodosian Walls and the naval weaknesses of the besiegers. Although the Avars and Persians failed, the siege reinforced the belief that Constantinople was a divinely protected city. In the absence of Emperor Heraclius, Patriarch Sergius took a leading role, and the people saw the victory as a divine intervention by Theotokos. However, veneration of Mary and the sanctity of icons were pre-existing beliefs rather than direct outcomes of the siege. The event contributed to the perception of Constantinople as the New Jerusalem, strengthening its image as a city under divine protection.

Keywords

References

  1. Unknown, Berger, A. (transl.), Accounts of medieval Constantinople: The Patria, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2013.
  2. Herodotus. Waterfield, R. (transl.), Dewald, C.(ed.), The histories, Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.
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  4. Manasses. Yuretich L. (transl.), The Chronicle of Constantine Manasses, Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2018.
  5. Benko, S., The Virgin Goddess: Studies in the Pagan and Christian Roots of Mariology, Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1993.
  6. Booth, P., Crisis of Empire: Doctrine and Dissent at the End of Late Antiquity, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2013.
  7. Brubaker, L. & Haldon, J. F., Byzantium in the Iconoclast Era c. 680-850: a History First paperback, Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2015.
  8. Hurbanič, M., The Avar Siege of Constantinople in 626 History and Legend, Cham: Springer International Publishing: Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Historical Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 31, 2025

Submission Date

May 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 23, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı

APA
Lüleci, F. C. (2025). The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople. Vakanüvis - Uluslararası Tarih Araştırmaları Dergisi, 10(Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı), 920-936. https://doi.org/10.24186/vakanuvis.1698766
AMA
1.Lüleci FC. The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople. VAKANUVIS. 2025;10(Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı):920-936. doi:10.24186/vakanuvis.1698766
Chicago
Lüleci, Faik Can. 2025. “The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople”. Vakanüvis - Uluslararası Tarih Araştırmaları Dergisi 10 (Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı): 920-36. https://doi.org/10.24186/vakanuvis.1698766.
EndNote
Lüleci FC (October 1, 2025) The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople. Vakanüvis - Uluslararası Tarih Araştırmaları Dergisi 10 Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı 920–936.
IEEE
[1]F. C. Lüleci, “The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople”, VAKANUVIS, vol. 10, no. Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı, pp. 920–936, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.24186/vakanuvis.1698766.
ISNAD
Lüleci, Faik Can. “The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople”. Vakanüvis - Uluslararası Tarih Araştırmaları Dergisi 10/Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı (October 1, 2025): 920-936. https://doi.org/10.24186/vakanuvis.1698766.
JAMA
1.Lüleci FC. The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople. VAKANUVIS. 2025;10:920–936.
MLA
Lüleci, Faik Can. “The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople”. Vakanüvis - Uluslararası Tarih Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 10, no. Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı, Oct. 2025, pp. 920-36, doi:10.24186/vakanuvis.1698766.
Vancouver
1.Faik Can Lüleci. The Political and Cultural Impact of the Avar Siege of 626 and 7th Century Roman-Sasanian War on Constantinople. VAKANUVIS. 2025 Oct. 1;10(Vakanüvis 10. Yıl Özel Sayısı):920-36. doi:10.24186/vakanuvis.1698766


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