Minas Tirith as Constantinople?

[Nogrod]

I'm quite sure the British / English / Anglian / Saxon / Irish / Celt / Pictish etc. kings have been near to Tolkien's heart and it would not be too farfetched to find some inspiration to his stories there.

But still I must say that bringing together the actual histories of Rome, Constantinople and Vienna to bring forwards one story of a place called Minas Tirith against a threat from the east would be more likely the answer - looking at Tolkien's learning, fascination of history, prejudices and the way he seemed to have worked.

So no copycatting or other clear imitations but making new compilations of things that can be interpreted as having a similar kind of symbolic meaning and place in the universe he was knitting together.

Good points people! I do love these games of interpretations. Let's just not hold them too literal as the fruitfulness of an idea oftentimes proves to be more important than any claimed right or truth of a certain one interpretation.