[11][12] At that time it appears to have been a more important and flourishing town even than Byzantium and being both a harbour and a point at which several main roads met, it was the seat of extensive commerce.
[13] This circumstance explains the reason why so many of its coins are still extant from which we learn that large and celebrated festivals were held here.
[13][15] Septimius Severus (r. 193–211) twice granted the city the prestigious title of neokoros and gave it permission to hold crown festivals in his honor, in recognition of its support during his conflict with Pescennius Niger, a rival claimant to the Roman throne.
[18] The peninsula and acropolis were complemented by the landward lower city and its walls, some remains of which have been found.
Other notable places include the 5th-century basilica which in its architecture seems to be closely linked to the church designs of Constantinople.