Chrysopolis (modern Üsküdar) was a Bithynian harbor on the eastern shore of the Bosphorus, and a suburb of Chalcedon. It was one of the principal places to cross the strait to Constantinople.

 It was a simple village in antiquity. It was described as a coastal village and port opposite Constantinople. Licinius was captured in Chrysopolis after his defeat in 324 and delivered to Constantine I. The town gained significance in the 7th and 8th century, when both the Arabs attacking Constantinople and armies from rebellious themes headed toward the Bosphorus: thus in 668 the soldiers of Anatolikon assembled in Chrysopolis to demand that Constantine IV accept his brothers as co-rulers; in 715 the town served as a base for the Opsikianoi who mutinied against Anastasios II; in 717 the future Leo III moved against Theodosios III from Chrysopolis. The town also played a crucial role in the revolt of Artabasdos against Constantine V. In 803 Bardanes Tourkos arrived there and waited in vain for the citizens of Constantinople to invite him into the city. In 988 Basil II defeated Bardas Phokas at Chrysopolis, and in 1055 the rebellious Bryennios went to Chrysopolis. Around 1050 Chrysopolis formed a theme under the command of a strategos. Its role evidently diminished after the Turkish conquest of Asia Minor, where these uprisings had originated. In 1200 Alexios III moved to Chrysopolis when there was a rebellion in Constantinople. Under its new name, Scutari, Chrysopolis is mentioned by Latin authors in the 13th century. Chrysopolis was an important monastic center. The most renowned of its monasteries was built by Philippikos.