Home Blog
Earthquake Damage and Repairs in the Late 10th Century
In the year 975, during the final years of Emperor John I Tzimiskes, a strong earthquake struck Constantinople. The tremors caused significant damage to...
Identifying the Empress Irene in the Inscriptions
There is some uncertainty about which Empress Irene is referred to in one of the wall inscriptions. If the inscription belongs to the reign...
Restoration of the Theodosian Walls under Justin and Sophia
An inscription found on the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople reads:
“The Outwork of the Theodosian Wall was restored under Justin and Sophia, our most pious...
Citizens Had a Duty to Build the Walls
In ancient Constantinople, the building and repair of the city’s walls was everyone’s responsibility. The law was very strict on this matter. No citizen...
Continued Growth of the Capital under Arcadius
The city of Constantinople kept growing under the rule of Emperor Arcadius. This rapid development soon made it necessary to expand the city’s boundaries...
A Capital Not Built in a Day
It is important to remember that a great capital cannot be built overnight. Turning Byzantium into Constantinople, a city worthy of being the new...
The Sultan and the Pilgrimage to Mecca
Seeing the Sultan
Very few people were able to see the Sultan in person. Their only chance was on Friday, when he would ride through...
Photography Rules and Religious Pilgrimages in Ottoman Constantinople
Limited Photography of Public Officials
Public officials in Turkey do not have their portraits painted or photographs taken as often as leaders in Christian countries....
The Sultan’s Photography Mystery
Religious Rules or Personal Choice?
The Photographer's Explanation
A Constantinople photographer provided an interesting explanation when asked for portraits of the Sultan and other important officials....
Abdul Hamid’s Use of Racial Divisions
Sofia, December 7th, 1914
Fifth Letter: Terms of Settlement and Bulgarian Demands
In his rule, Abdul Hamid took full advantage of the racial divisions between different...
