Sort by: Most Relevant Publish Date

BYZANTINE EMPIRE  

Istanbul is a truly enormous city loaded with many historic and scenic places not in most guidebooks and overlooked by the most casual of tourists.

Byzantium, Constantinople or Istanbul - it really doesn't matter what you call it. The city on the Bosphorous is the location of some spectacular history. Once glance at the skyline and you can see how east meets west in this city.

I have always wanted to live and teach abroad. In a previous article I detailed my decision to teach in Istanbul. Now I am faced with the reality of that decision in an intimidating yet breathtaking and beguiling city.

A quick history including many of the social aspects of this great empire. Includes references to many other empires to fully tell of the history.

The Battle of Yarmuk in 636 was decisive in world history. It established Islam as a world wide religion and not a minor faith restricted to the Arabian Peninsula. The implications are still being felt today.

Today a lot of Americans simply take it for granted that you eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Many people do not know much about turkey, the history behind eating turkey or how to prepare turkey and utilize the leftovers. Now is your chance to learn!

This Welcome Thanksgiving Turkey Craft is a great holiday activity for kids. It is inexpensive and simple so most children will be able to make one.

This Thanksgiving inspired turkey tablecloth craft project is perfect for a group of kids. They can work on it together and it will last for a long time.

Never stay at Sultanahmet Suites in Istanbul, Turkey. You will suffer from their wrong attitude, and your otherwise pleasant holiday will be tarnished.

Procopius, the greatest Byzantine chronicler died leaving a bombshell in his wake. His published memoirs describing the depravity of some the Byzantine Empire's most powerful men and women.

The Ottoman Empire's effect on ending the European Dark Ages and ushering in the Renaissance may be more than you think.

Art has always been a vehicle for people to express their ideas, their beliefs, their values and themselves. Throughout time it has been used to serve a myriad of varying objectives ranging from decoration to education to pure expression of ideas.

One chilly delphic October morning I awoke and found myself on a large hovering object that was flying me across the new maiden morning to the vast city of Constantinople or, as the pedantic amongst us would have it, Istanbul.

Beyazid Mosque is a transitional piece of architecture. Built at the dawn of the Ottoman Empire, this impressive mosque has traces of the emerging imperial style blended with a basilica plan. This article was featured in Time Out Istanbul magazine.

Chora Church, built by the Byzantines near their outer walls, houses the best Byzantine frescoes in the world. This article was featured in September 2007's Time Out Istanbul.

The Makros Embolos was designed as a part of Constantine's city in 330 AD. Running from the Golden Horn to the Sea of Marmara this street has managed to maintain its vitality for 2000 years. As published in Time Out Istanbul.

The symbolism of Chrisianity coins in the ancient past - mainly Byzantine coinage.

Nikita Minin, later Nikon, became one of the most influential figures in Russian history. It can be concluded that the adoption of the name Nikon was a symbolic rebirth of this man who wanted to devote himself to God.

The Crusades, which lasted almost 200 years and involved the whole of Europe, meant a lot to the history of our world. But were the Crusades simply a mistake that got out of hand?

A brief summary of the effects of disparate leadership in the First Crusade of 1095.

Although named after British astronomer Edmund Halley, who was the first to realize its returning nature, Halley's comet has been a fixture in world history for thousands of years.

While Greek learning affected all the subjects of the studia humanitatis, history and philosophy in particular were profoundly affected by the texts and ideas brought from Byzantium.

A quick review of the mass hysteria more commonly known as "The Crusades."

Istanbul, like all large metropolises, has its share of people who want to part you from your money. Here are some typical scams and how to avoid them.

In the June edition of Time Out Istanbul, author Attila Pelit ripped Gen X'ers like myself for traveling abroad with all of our technology in search of Hemingway's ghost. This is my response.

For a little taste of Europe and a little taste of Asia, a trip to Istanbul is a must. With both Western and Eastern influences in its architecture and atmosphere, it truly is the best of both worlds.

Having come to Istanbul to study abroad there are many things that are quite different from life in the United States. Turks eat different food, follow a different religion and look at life differently. This is a beguiling culture.

Turkey is a fiercely secular republic and a predominantly Muslim country. The marriage of these two facets makes for high drama in Istanbul as the July 22nd elections approac.

The Grand Bazaar, or the Covered Bazaar as it is also called, is a 550 year old shopping center with a more exotic variety of goods than any of its modern counterparts could ever hope to offer.

The Byzantine Empire, a Hellenized offshoot of the Roman Empire, lasted for one thousand years while Western Europe struggled to recover from the Dark Ages. Here are the most important moments of Byzantine history.

Hagia Sophia is a stands as a reminder of the lost Byzatine Empire.

The Roman Empire survived in one way or another for almost 2,000 years. The decline of the Empire can be traced to problems with maintaining the military and the economy. Current trends in the U.S. parallel some of those of later Rome.

An overview of the Ottoman Empire and its expansion into Europe.

The entire story of why castles are here, what they were used for and the evolution of casles throughout history

The Battle of Manzikert in 1071, between the Byzantine Empire and the Sejuk Turks, ended with defeat for the Byzantines and heralded the beginning of the end of the Byzantine Empire, though it was to last another four hundred years.

Global consumer trade as we know it today was pretty much invented in the Middle East in the 10th century.

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner is stressful, and inviting a dinner guest with special dietary needs can make it even more difficult. Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can accommodate most vegetarians without adding to the stress of your day.

Vegetarians often find themselves in an uncomfortable situation when dining as a guest in someones home. But you don't have to feel like a turkey this Thanksgiving! There are a few ways to ensure the meal is happy and enjoyable for everyone.

Some menu and preparation tips for anyone that is preparing a Thanksgiving dinner. Spend some time with your family, which is what Thanksgiving is all about instead slaving away stress in the kitchen.

Being a vegetarian can be hard work, especially around the holidays. Here are a few vegetarian (non-vegan) Thanksgiving Day alternatives that you're sure to love.

Turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes and bread - it sounds like a recipe for diet disaster. But you can enjoy your Thanksgiving meal without packing on the pounds if you follow some simple tips.

Careful traversing of Thanksgiving websites can bring the history of the Pilgrims and the attitude of gratitude to life in your home this Thanksgiving season.

Learn 5 new recipes to make guaranteed, no-fail additions to your Thanksgiving dinner table! This article includes recipes for a mouth-watering appetizer, two side dishes, an entree, and a delicious dessert!

Turkey sandwiches and turkey soup are the staples of Thanksgiving leftovers. But with a little creativity, you can tantilize your family's tastebuds with new uses for leftovers.

Think ahead and make your Thanksgiving Day turkey meal work for you the following week! All it takes is a little bit of thought and common sense!

This fun Thanksgiving craft is simple and flexible allowing kids young and old to particpate and have fun. Its a great Thanksgiving Day activity to keep the kids entertained.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, even though it is not as exciting as Christmas.

If you're planning a Thanksgiving Day party then you should know how to do it easily and effortlessly so you can enjoy spending time with your guests. Here are some tips to get you started on your way to a very enjoyable Thanksgiving Dinner this year.

Thanksgiving centerpieces can make your dinner table look beautiful. You may think that you have to be crafty in order to make these. However, these beautiful, easy Thanksgiving centerpieces can be made by anyone, regardless of their skill level.

Kids love straws and this craft project is the perfect way to add a Thanksgiving touch to their dinks. Each Pilgrim straw should cost you less than $4 to make, which makes this a great craft project for a groups of kids.