The most famous of all the emperors of the Byzantine, or Eastern Roman, Empire was Justinian the Great. Born a barbarian, he became a powerful ruler and law reformer. He is known today chiefly for his codification of law. He was born probably of Slavic parents in a place called Tauresium, in Illyria (an ancient […]
The road leading east from Tokat towards Almus runs through the valley of the Yesilirmak River, and at a small crossroads, 13 km from the city takes a turnoff into the mountains. Winding through deep valleys, over dry river beds and up steep slopes, it takes you to a medium-sized village set on a bare […]
I Georgios am the captain of this ship belonging to the Church and priest in that same Church. We set sail from the island of Samos for the Eastern Mediterranean hearing provisions needed by the imperial army warring against the Persians… There are six of us on this journey: I the captain Georgios, Demetrios the […]
When I walked into Hadji Bekir’s shop on Hamidiye Street near Istanbul’s Golden Horn, it was like entering a child’s dream. Wherever I looked, there were containers brimming with enticing confectionery… a dozen jars with polished brass lids stood on only counter packed with a kaleidoscope of bonbon, red, yellow, cinnamon and stripy ones. Nowhere […]
Siirt is a city and province in Southeast Turkey where legend and fact are mingled in the colorful story of its past. According to a legend told about the founding of the city, a local lord had a beautiful daughter whom he had decided to give in marriage to someone from another clan. The girl […]
One of the most memorable dishes of Turkish Cuisine is Manti (known also as Turkish Ravioli), tiny dumplings stuffed with minced meat and garnished with garlic yogurt. This dish is thought to have originated in the province of Kayseri, spreading from there to the rest of Turkey, but the one made in Kayseri remains distinguished […]
A member of a noble family on his mother’s side, Strabo was born in 64 or 63 BC in the city of Amaseia (now called Amasya) capital of Pontus, a region in northeastern Anatolia that was an independent kingdom from the 4th century BC until overcome by Pompey in 66 BC. Pontus became a province […]
What is red, carries a sack, laughs in a jocular fashion and flies through the sky in a sleigh? No marks for getting the answer right, because we all know it is Father Christmas… In part, he is the ancient Viking spirit of winter, dating from a time when people feared the harsh winter season […]
Life An Athenian, the son of Gryllus, Xenophon was born about 444 BC. In his early life, he was a pupil of Socrates; but the turning point in his career came when he decided to serve in the Greek contingent raised by Cyrus against Artaxerxes in 401. Xenophon himself mentions the circumstances of which he […]
With the coming of cold winter days, Turkey’s cake and pudding shops begin serving salep in place of ice cream. On the ferryboats which ply their way between the European and Asian shores of Istanbul with smoke trailing from their funnels and chased by flocks of seagulls, many of the passengers order steaming cups of […]
