Theodosian Walls and Their Significance in the Temporal Space of History

The purpose of this article is to substantiate the ontological status of the concept of “wall” in the historiosophical aspect using the example of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople (now Istanbul). The wall is examined as a spatiotemporal marker of the Old Testament, Sumerian, and Byzantine traditions. Furthermore, the study aims to reveal the significance of Byzantine architectonics through the historical connection between imperial borders and sacred, foundational meanings. This objective is consistently realized through a semantic interpretation of the construction of the Theodosian Walls, an event fundamentally important both for the rise of the world’s greatest empire and for the preservation of its core value — Orthodoxy. The concept of “wall” acts as a spatiotemporal characteristic of civilization, reflecting the deep connection of culture to a specific historical period and topogenesis (place-development) — an integral system of mutual influence between humanity and nature. For the first time, the Theodosian Walls are analyzed as a construct within the cultural paradigm of the “sacred boundary”, which divides space into internal and external, sacred and profane, historical and timeless. Historical and cultural comparative studies allow for a comprehension of the wall’s destruction through a historiosophical interpretation of the border as a prohibition, a concept tied to the foundation of ancient cities and reflected in the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. The walls of the legendary city of Uruk serve as a prototype for the future empire, symbolizing the legacy of memory passed down through generations to glorify the power and inviolability of creation, whereby a ruler achieves immortality. In biblical history, the establishment of a covenant with higher powers (the sacred, accoding to Old Testament tradition) is contrasted with the first civilization of Cain, which was built upon the sinful violation of Divine commandments. This dynamic is evidenced by the destruction of the walls of Jericho, semantically interpreted as a symbol of the victory of the God of the Israelites over pagan deities. In ancient Roman history, the concept of “sacred border” is tied to the god Terminus and the emergence of the notion of “termini”, indicating the function of strict border protection. Terminus establishes a sacred frontier that grants the empire solid protection from external and internal threats, thereby ensuring its eternal existence. History confirms this endurance: the legacy of the Byzantine Empire remains an inexhaustible source that nourishes contemporary culture. The Theodosian Walls stand as one of the most compelling monuments of world heritage; they fully reflect historical events spanning nearly ten centuries, testifying to the past greatness and fall of a brilliant empire that continues to influence the global landscape.