Hagia Sophia's angel uncovered

TurkishNY.com ^ | 07/24/2009 | unstated

[antiRepublicrat]

The Byzantines held out against the Muslims for 800 years. How long will we last? 80?

We've already lasted 200. IMHO, the clock started ticking when Jefferson kicked butt on the Barbary Pirates.

[SES1066]

You forgot the Venetians who wanted the trade that Byzantium owned. When you have held control for centuries, you build a lot of enemies - sometimes just on jealousy alone. The number of times that Byzantium came close but did not fall is amazing. One can wonder that if the Persians had won, as they threatened to do several times, would that have later opened the way for Islam to conquer Europe? Alternate history is fun, but a world without croissants is intolerable.

[gmp31555]

My husband is Greek. He and all of his family refer to current day Istanbul as Constantinople. Most Greeks do. It is also the seat of the Patriarchate for the Greek Orthodox Church.

[Defiant]

I don't hold any briefs for the Greeks, but they did hold the Muslims at bay for 700 years, with almost no help from the west. Especially after the crusaders were sent packing, the Greeks were doomed. Imagine having to defend from attack day after day after day for 700 years. The other side only has to breach the wall once. Finally they did it. What a tragedy!

[brianhumeck]

Thanks for the post. Would love to see this in person.

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Note: this topic is from 7/24/2009. Thanks iowamark. Blast from the Past. Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[KyleHavel]

Its obvious Hagia Sophia https://muze.gen.tr/muze-detay/ayasofya will always stay as a mosque rest of time we have on this earth. And i really dont understand these religious fanatics(ortodox) .. its just a building and its not constantinopole anymore its ISTANBUL.

[Mashood]

Saw a documentary on this. A small group of Japanese restorers are using a portable ground penetraining radar to help locate the figures high up on the walls on the main dome. Muy interesante.