The Desertion of Phanes
There was another important reason, separate from all others, that helped lead to the Persian expedition against Egypt. This reason involved a man named...
Egyptian Claims About Cambyses’ Origin
The Egyptians, however, tell a different story about Cambyses. They claim that Cambyses actually belonged to them and say that he was the son...
King Amasis and the Persian Threat
Amasis was the Egyptian king against whom Cambyses, the son of Cyrus the Great, later led a military expedition. Cambyses ruled over a vast...
Bosphorus in Istanbul
Trip to Bosphorus
The visitors must absolutely take a trip to Bosphorus by ferry. The ferry passes below the two bridges, visits the landings of...
Istiklal Street and Taksim Square
Istiklal Street
Istiklal Caddesi is the main street of Beyoglu (Pera) and is a pedestrian area. The street that used to be called “Grand-Rue de...
Sir Thomas Roe’s Attempt to Take the Golden Gate Statues
In May 1625, Sir Thomas Roe, the English ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, wrote about his difficult mission: to try and obtain four ancient...
The Golden Gate and Imperial Ceremonies
In the time of the Byzantine Empire, the Golden Gate (Porta Aurea) was more than just a part of the city walls. It was...
Entry Restrictions at the Golden Gate
In the tradition of the old Roman Empire, only emperors were allowed to pass through the Golden Gate during triumphal celebrations. Even the most...
Calligraphy The Dance of Pen and Ink
Calligraphy The Dance of Pen and Ink
In a historical encounter, Sheikh Hamdullah meets Beyazid II, then the governor of Amasya, and is tasked with...
The Golden Age of Calligraphy
17th Century Marvels
In the 17th century, calligraphy reached its zenith, not only elevating Ottoman art but also permeating beyond palace confines to cultivate aesthetic...
