Which Middle Eastern city, founded by Greek settlers and later known as "New Rome" during the reign of Constantine the Great, is being referred to in this question?

Introduction / Context:
Many historic cities in the Eastern Mediterranean were founded by Greek settlers and later became important centres of empires. One of them, located at the strategic junction between Europe and Asia, was renamed and developed by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. He proclaimed it as the new capital of the Roman Empire and gave it an honorary title meaning New Rome. Today, this city is known as Istanbul. Historically, it was called Constantinople, and before that, Byzantium.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The city is in the Middle East or Eastern Mediterranean region.
• It was founded by Greek settlers.
• During Constantine the Great's reign, it was known as New Rome.
• We must choose the correct city from four options.

Concept / Approach:
The city that fits all these clues is Constantinople, modern Istanbul. Greek settlers originally founded the city as Byzantium. Emperor Constantine greatly enlarged and beautified it, making it the new capital of the Roman Empire and giving it the status of New Rome. The other options, such as Alexandria, Antioch, and Damascus, are also ancient and important, but they do not share this specific combination of being formally designated as New Rome by Constantine while serving as his imperial capital.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that New Rome refers to a city that became the new Roman capital under Constantine. Step 2: Recall that Constantine shifted the capital from Rome to Constantinople. Step 3: Recognise that Constantinople developed out of an earlier Greek settlement called Byzantium. Step 4: Compare this with the options: Alexandria, Antioch, and Damascus were major cities but not given the New Rome title in the same way. Step 5: Select Constantinople (modern Istanbul) as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
History books on the Roman and Byzantine Empires state that Constantine the Great refounded Byzantium as Constantinople in the early fourth century and designated it as Nova Roma, meaning New Rome. They describe how this city became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire. Maps and timelines of imperial capitals also list Constantinople as the successor to Rome. In contrast, Alexandria, Antioch, and Damascus are described as important provincial cities but not as New Rome in this specific imperial context. These consistent descriptions verify that the correct choice is Constantinople.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Alexandria: Founded by Alexander the Great in Egypt and an important Hellenistic and Roman city, but not designated as New Rome by Constantine.

Antioch: A major city in Syria and a key Christian centre, but it did not replace Rome as the empire's capital during Constantine's rule.

Damascus: One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, vital in various Islamic empires, but not the New Rome of Constantine.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may be tempted to choose Alexandria or Antioch because they are well known Greek founded cities in the region. However, the phrase New Rome is a very specific title associated with Constantinople. To avoid mistakes, memorise that Constantinople equals New Rome under Constantine and later serves as the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Associating the three names Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul for the same city also helps you answer various history questions correctly.

Final Answer:
The city referred to as New Rome under Constantine the Great is Constantinople (modern Istanbul).