During the 1500’s, there were countless fierce and prosperous cities around the world. However, the question that lies between if a city is truly victorious is whether or not it is a
pleasurable site for its inhabitants. So often, cities during the 1500’s would get overwhelmed by their triumphant victories in war, that they neglect the needs of their civilians leaving their needs to never be obtained, and leaving the city as an undesirable place for potential immigrants. An exception to this misfortune is Constantinople. I strongly believe that during the 1500’s, Constantinople was best place to live, allowing for the most enjoyable and successful life.
After Mehmet II of the Ottoman Empire challenged Emperor Constantine XI of Constantinople,
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accepting victory to the Ottomans, Constantinople became the most multicultural city in the world (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 05). Instead of being a strictly Christian city, it became a territory where Muslims, Christians, Jews, and people of all religions could reside in peace, without and restrictions or barriers (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 06). Living in peace with those who do not posses the same beliefs can turn disastrous very quickly. However as the Ottoman saw it; Christians and Jews were considered ancestors to their Islamic religion, and the holy figures, such as Jesus and Moses, were seen as “a part of Muslim heritage and ancestry (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 06).” With religion being a very important role in many households during the 1500’s, Constantinople being so open and accepting to everyone's religion would make it a very enjoyable and desirable place to inhabit. Location is also a key factor as to why Constantinople is the most desirable and enjoyable place to live during the 1500’s. The city resides along the Bosporus waterway, allowing for easy access to both Europe, and Asia (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 05). The inlet allows entry to the Black Sea from the Mediterranean Sea (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 05). Not only did this allow for easy access and trading between Europe and Asia, it also allowed the population to grow, as the city linked Asia and Europe together (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 05). Continatinoples ports are located on a channel of water, known as The Golden Horn, with dimensions that are one kilometre wide, and six kilometers long (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 05). Having such a large port in a convenient location means that importing and exporting necessary goods is very easy, quick, and cost effective. Also, the advantageous location of Constantinople heavily influenced the population number, making households from all over Europe and Asia relocate to Constantinople (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 06). In addition, the emergence of a variety of people, and re-population in Constantinople exposed so many different cultures to one Islamic city . This exposure aided in making Constantinople prosperous and successful during the 1500’s. Power is also another aspect as to why Constantinople would be the best place to live during the 1500’s.
Mehmet II used his power and rule over Constantinople for the greater good of the city. He transformed what used to be a strictly Roman Catholic city into a community where those of all different cultures and beliefs could roam freely in peace (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert). Rabbi Isaac Tzarfati, an Eastern European who came to Constantinople at the time of Mehmet II rule wrote; “We are not oppressed with heavy taxes, and our commerce is free and unhindered. Rich are the fruits of the earth. Everything is cheap , and everyone one of us lives in peace and freedom. Here the Jew is not compelled to wear a yellow hat as a badge of shame, as is the case in Germany….Here you will be free of your enemies (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 06).” This quote really goes to show that Mehmet only wanted to use his power for good. Tzarfati stated that the tariffs for the civilians of Constantinople were rather cheap and buying and selling was inexpensive (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 06). This displays that Mehmet really wanted to create a worry-free and easy life for the people of his city, with money being just a mere object rather than a social rank of a person's value. Tzarfati also stated that civilians of different religions, such as Judaism, are not dishonoured in any way for their beliefs, as they are in other countries or cities (Haberman, Eisen and Shubert 06). By having an
authority figure that allowed for their civilians to believe in what they chose to worship, Constantinople became a place where people could escape from their enemies who discriminated and degraded against their ways of life. Because Mehmet II, the ruler of Constantinople, used his power for the greater good of the civilians of his city, Constantinople became a place where its inhabitants could live a free, easy, and enjoyable life. By the 1500’s, Constantinople became an exceedingly prosperous and successful city. It became a place where inhabitants felt safe and accepted. A place where they didn’t have to worry about their needs being met, or being ridiculed by their culture or ethnicity. By looking at the great religious acceptance, convenient location, and substantial power, I believe that during the 1500’s, Constantinople was the most desirable place to live, and would allow for the most enjoyable and successful way of life.
They invaded the city over and over again taking the young children and turning them into slaves and humiliating them in front of the entire city. They wanted to get rid of Christianity completely in a short amount of time. The turks felt victorious every time that they captured a new group. This shows how this time period was at a constant war. There was never peace among cities.
The Byzantine Empire plays a major role in many different societies to this day. Some of the things that impact other civilizations from the Byzantine include their religion and laws. According to Mr. Gray, Russia went so far as to adopt Orthodox Christianity, which makes them view themselves as the continuation of Byzantine culturally. Also, Justinian’s code helps shape the basis of much later laws (Byzantine PPT #7), which shows Justinian's code is a bigger influence
The World Lit Only by Fire, written by William Manchester, is book based on the middle/ medieval ages. Early into the book, Manchester writes, “Was the medieval world a civilization, comparable to Rome before it or to the modern era that followed? If by civilization one means a society which has reached a relatively high level of cultural and technological development, the answer is no” (15). The author’s opinion is clear; he does not believe that the medieval ages ever achieved the title of a civilization.
The Ottoman Empire was one of the longest running empires in history, spanning 624 years. The women of the Ottoman empire were often limited to the household of their husband’s and held back by Ottoman lawmakers and authorities. The point of view of outsiders was varied, but there were both positive and negative views.
Ebel, Kathryn A. "Representations of the Frontier in Ottoman Town Views of the Sixteenth Century." Imago Mundi 60, no. 1 (January 2008): 1-22. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed April 20, 2011).
By the end of eleventh century, Western Europe had experienced a powerful cultural revival. The flourish of New towns provided a place for exchange of commerce and flow of knowledge and ideas. Universities, which replaced monasteries as centers of learning, poured urbanized knowledge into society. New technological advances and economics transformations provided the means for building magnificent architectures. These developments were representative of the mental and behavioral transformations that the medieval world underwent and the new relationships that were brought about between men, women and society in the twelfth century. As in technology, science, and scholasticism, Literature was also reborn with a new theme.3
Why in such rank of the learned world whose sphere is great cities, be seeking in the wilderness? In answer to this query a rumor gained grown, and however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people.
Paired with Greece, some leaders in Eastern Orthodox populations include Russia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Romania, and even the United States. From an event that took place in such a specific region so long ago, the impact it made on modern life is almost overwhelming. The Byzantine effect on world religion should be studied so that we can get to understand their points of view on life and how it potentially influences people’s beliefs today. The Byzantines' efficient preservation of Greek culture is an important subject of historical inquiry. The Revival of Learning by Cyril Mango (Document E) states that the Byzantine Empire safeguarded the intellectual and artistic culture of ancient Greece by hand copying it.
1. The three main factors that resulted in the Ottoman expansion of the 14th century were rooted in geopolitics, military technology a nd strategy, and political strategy. The Ottoman capital and center of economics (post-1453) was located at Istanbul, which was not only the geographical “gateway” to Europe, but also connected Asia and Europe, which made Istanbul an extremely important area for commerce and merchants travelling from one continent to the other. Even after the Ottoman takeover of the Byzantines, they were able to expand even more partly due to the capitol and funds gained through commerce in Istanbul. The Ottomans also created an army that was aided by new technologies such as firearms as well as horses, which helped them expand exponentially through the Middle East. The balance within their military, with the Calvary coupled with armed Janissaries, furthered their military might. Lastly, the political strategy of Osman and his heirs helped to further Ottoman goals including expansion.
They began to take rent from the people who lived there, place taxes on local markets and tollbooths were placed at the entrance to the cities. This all helped to create the fiscal-military state which made it possible for rulers to pay their armies and guards with cash. It was the conquering of the Byzantine Empire that helped to make money more accessible to the Ottoman Empire, the Byzantine Empire was part of the Roman Empire which was the longest lasting Empire and most likely more advance than some of the smaller Empires. Metals such as silver, lead, and iron were necessary to keep enough money to pay the armies their salaries. The Ottomans took over the silver, iron and lead mines in Serbia and Bosnia making them the masters of metal production. Both the Habsburgs and the Ottomans used large amounts of gold and silver to purchase firearms, cannons and ships to conquer the world.
What do Plato, Aristotle, mosaics, and icons have in common? They are all important parts of Byzantine culture, which spans the course of over 1,000 years, from the fall of Rome to the decline of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines were important facilitators of the Renaissance. The Byzantines preserved Greek and Roman traditions and created many of their own, which would have a great impact during the Renaissance.
hammed. Byzantine and the Muslims worlds were the very first in the western world to base their governing off of their monotheistic beliefs. The religion of Islam began in Mecca, however the beginning of the Muslim period started with Mohammed’s voyage from Mecca to Medina. The religion quickly spread from India to Spain.
The Byzantines had a major advantage in their location. Their empire was positioned in the hardest area to conquer, and at the center of it all was Constantinople. The capital was located on
The Ottoman Empire reached the peak of its power in the 1500s. While other empires were experiencing their downfalls, the Ottoman Empire’s power seemed to be increasing. In fact, this empire can be ranked as the strongest power due to its tactical internal organization of power, minorities, and religion, due to its physical expansion which provided more resources, more advancements, and more people to support the empire, and due to its large military strength that provided security, reduced rebellion, and challenged the other powers.
Istanbul is both an ancient and modern city that is full of culture dating back to the beginning of time. It’s a city that is unique, in that, it connects both Europe and Asia. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and the most crowded one too. There are approximately more than fourteen million people living in Istanbul alone. That is more than its capital city of Ankara. Istanbul is not just a metropolitan, or one of the most crowded cities, and it’s also an ancient and historical city.