The small sleepy city of Ravenna has a strange and noble history. Situated on the Adriatic coast, it had long been an important port city during the Roman period. The city became really important however only after Constantine moved the capital of the Empire from Rome to Constantinople. Ravenna was perfectly placed directly across the Adriatic from the Via Egnatia, the great Roman military road that led from the Adriatic to Constantinople. The city was also well fortified and surrounded by swampland which was infested with malaria ... (more)