Abstract
<jats:p>The article explores the image of Constantinople as presented in the orations of the 4th-century Roman philosopher, rhetorician, and statesman, Themistius. The relevance of this study stems from the need to reinterpret the cultural and political transformations of Late Antiquity through the lens of historical imagology. The rhetorical strategies of the 4th century are examined as a key instrument for constructing imperial identity and sacralizing power. The study aims to provide a comprehensive reconstruction of the evolution of Constantinople’s image in Themistius’ speeches and to analyze the correspondence between rhetorical topoi and historical-political reality. The methodological framework is based on a historical-critical and comparative analysis of the philosopher’s texts alongside the narratives of Ammianus Marcellinus and Socrates Scholasticus. The article identifies a dynamic shift in the perception of the city within rhetorical discourse: from a “Second Rome” to an autonomous political entity, or more precisely, a political center. The author argues that Themistius, employing the tools of classical paideia, redefines the status of Constantinople, elevating it from an administrative duplicate to the sacred «heart» of the Oikumene. The findings demonstrate that Themistius’ metaphors transcended mere literary imagery, functioning as a means of political legitimation for the new capital and as a compensation for the crises of the 4th century. The study concludes that Themistius formulated a unique ideological model in which Constantinople ceased to be conceived as an administrative copy of Rome, transforming instead into a distinct sacred and political center that synthesized Roman and Greek traditions. The scholarly novelty of the work lies in demonstrating how rhetoric actively shaped the emerging political reality of early Byzantium.</jats:p>