1. Constantinople
Crossroads of Culture

2. A Brief History of Constantinople
Originally Byzantium (660 BCE) by the Greeks
Becomes Eastern Capital of Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) 330 CE under Constantine
During the Middle Ages was consistently largest and wealthiest city in Europe
Eventually lost by the Romans to the Ottoman Turks (1453)
Sought after due to geographic location
Originally settle in 13th and 11th centuries BCE by Thracian tribes, as well as c BCE by the Phoenicians (trading post), then the Greeks.
Geographic location facilitated trade from the Silk Roads and Mediterranean Basin, meeting of cultures, religions, and money.

3. Landmarks of Culture
Elements of many different religions present in art/architecture
Cultural influence is evident in the building styles as well as purpose
Only city on two continents (Europe and Asia)
Christianity and Islam very prevalant.
Arches, aqueducts, columns, mosques, churches, domes, minarets, etc.

4. Hagia Sophia Rebuilt under Justinian 537 CE
Destroyed twice
Rebuilt under Justinian 537 CE
Survived many earthquakes and fires
Fell into the hands of the Turks in 1453 CE
Became a mosque
Modern day, serves as a museum
First destruction during riots of exile of the Patriarch of Constantinople, rebuilt by Theodosius II in 415 CE
Second destruction during revolt of Monophysites in 532 CE
Built up by Jusitinian using materials from across the empire (as far as Egypt)

5. Islamic
Minarets
Notice the minarets added during the reign of the Ottoman Turks (Islam)

6. Christian
Islamic
(No people)

7. The Hippodrome of Constantinople
Hippodromes were built to house horse racing and chariot racing. Originally built by Severus Septimus, the Hippodrome was renovated after Constantine moved the capital of his empire to Constantinople.
It is estimated that the Hippodrome of Constantine was about 450 m (1,476 ft) long and 130 m (427 ft) wide. Its stands were capable of holding 100,000 spectators.
Contains artifacts from Ancient Empires such as the Greeks and Egyptians.
Egypt
Greece
The Serpentine Column was a monument to the Greek victory in the Persian Wars

8. Death/crashing was not all that uncommon during the horse and chariot races. Think NASCAR without the seatbelts, science, and mullets!

9. The Blue Mosque Completed in 1616 CE during the reign of the Ottomans
Minarets!
Completed in 1616 CE during the reign of the Ottomans
Has a unique number of minarets (6)
Named the Blue Mosque due to the blue tiles inside
Try to get the students to understand that tile work is often a symbol of Islamic culture due to the characterstics of Islamic art

10. The Golden Horn Connects the Bosphorus to the Sea of Marmara
Naval headquarters of the Byzantine Empire
Walled off to prevent naval attack
Protected Constantinople by an oversized chain
Could be pulled across to block passage
Chain would be pulled from shore to the Old Tower of Galata, stretching across the strait.
Breached 3 significant times:
The Kievan Rus (carried longboats around)
Venetians during the 4th Crusade (broke it with a ram)
Ottomans (carried ships around)

11. A Palace Fit for a Sultan!
Topkapki Palace
A Palace Fit for a Sultan!
Seat of Ottoman Sultans for 400 years