Justin Smetters

04-05-04

ISSI402

Prof. Sienkewicz

“‘Sharers of the Same Shade’: Byzantines and Ottomans in early 14th century Bursa (Bithynia)”: An archaeology lecture by Suna Cagaptay-Arikan, Ph.D

            The Byzantine culture as far as the lecture described is that it is a Hodge-podge (a melting pot much like the USA is now) of many different beliefs and cultures within Asia Minor. They had influences as far as the Mongol hordes in the East and Europe as a whole in the West. Even though the transfer of power from the Byzantines to the Ottomans was relatively easy historians never place these two times and study them at once. Dr. Cagaptay-Arikan argues that Ottomans and the Byzantines are not so different. Architecture styles are similar and many buildings have been transformed under Ottoman rule.

            Just like what we have talked about last month in class. Certain places have been transformed to serve a new purpose. Churches in the Byzantine Empire in the 14^th century were structures that could be mistaken a smaller versions of Roman Renaissance structures at that time. It had the long corridor with the rounded out alter at the end. After the Ottomans took control these Churches now became Mosques for the Muslims to worship at. The Ottomans didn’t phase out Christianity completely. For they truly were ahead of their time for the had religious tolerance. The Ottomans married the Byzantine people and no major problems occurred. Ottoman culture was introduced and the Byzantine culture was just as welcomed by the Ottoman. Truly Renaissance, even when this time period was plagued by religious turmoil.

            So even though at first I disagreed about this whole transferring of holy places into different holy places, for the fact I thought it was mocking the “loser”. When in fact I could be to preserve the people before and embrace that people had different views and kept it around as a respect thing.