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...
Betrayal and Dishonesty in 1913
This is the nation that was betrayed and abandoned in 1913. Then, it was cheated at Bucharest by a treaty based on the dishonorable...
Treatment of the Turkish Population During the 1912-1913 War
During the 1912-1913 Turkish War, the Turkish people in Bulgaria were not treated badly.
Even though they were required to serve in the military, they...
The Joy of Sunshine
Sunshine always lifts the spirits. Even though we were dirty, unshaven, and traveling through a dangerous land, we didn’t mind. We sang happily as...
On the Road to Permet
We were now on the road that goes from Valona to Janina, heading towards the Greek border. It felt nice to travel smoothly along...
