It's kind of odd that people who cannot accept that ancient peoples built pyramids & megaliths & other large structures don't dispute the cathedrals built during the middle ages throughout Europe. With the exception of having iron tools/using mortar the technology used was basically the same. They built scaffolds, had human or animal powered cranes, low tech tools to determine angles & standard measurements (plumb & square) & a lead engineer/architect plus teams of specialists/crafts people (guilds) In our modern day where we can watch an apt building go up in a week or two, it's difficult to fathom building projects that required decades or more. Sometimes multiple lifetimes.
If you accidentally go down on ancient alien type wormhole you will find people trying to claim that cathedrals in Brazil could not have been built by humans without modern power tools who don't seem to realise that it took centuries to build them which it definitely would not have taken if they had power tools... Almost like no one is amazed by humans doing things that are impressive they are just so racist that they can't believe anyone they don't perceive as milky white could
I think it's because their are more records of building those particular structures, and its better to understand how they did it with the tools they had at the time. Compare that with people who didn't have a writing system and hadn't even invented the wheel, and the completion of those structures is harder to understand.
Much of the skepticism comes from the tools available at the time. Most would agree that "carving" marble for example would be a hard task to complete with a bronze tool. But if the public school teacher tells you it happened it must be true.
"Hard task" for modern people means impossible, since they couldn't be bothered to do the same. Most people take their car to reach their mailbox. People would benefit from working with their hands, without power tools. Especially with a group of people. Gives some perspective. Never underestimate the ingenuity of the human spirit, and the sheer power of a LOT OF DUDES.@@brassteeth3355
@@brassteeth3355 - The hilarious part of your arrogant and condescending comment is that you probably meant granite, as marble rates a 3 on the Mohs hardness scale and is considered "very soft" and "easily carved". WHOOPS! So no, "most would" NOT "agree" that carving marble with bronze would be "a hard task". It is incredibly easy. The fact that you were so arrogant about it is hilarious. "if the public school teacher tells you it happened it must be true." Those fools who learned the difference between soft and hard stone, what fools.
In 1971, I was stationed on an army base just outside of Istanbul.. This was a great year for me as I was able to go into the city almost every weekend. This video was very well done! Thank you!
As a Greek Australian atheist, I honestly don't care about the religious claims over agia Sofia. But I honestly do wish it was still a museum. There was no real need to convert/ reconsecrate it back into a mosque. I think the building deserves to be a museum and display the awesome mixing, blending and succession of cultures. It's a great historical and architectural building that should be enjoy to it's full.
Honestly, most of the Roman/Greek artifacts were removed and/or destroyed when it became the Suleiman Mosque. Most of those items are images which goes against Islam (kinda like some Christian sects frown upon imagery). If you note the video of the interior, the design elements were abstract geometric and calligraphy and not 'graven images'. The famous Greek/Roman/Byzantian imagery remaining in the Mosque were kinda mistakes tucked into places hard to get to. I was there before it changed back to a mosque. The women in our group did not need head coverings so it wasn't a mosque. There was one small area where those famous Justinian images still remain. Our friends who where showing us around (the hotel staff loved us 🙂) routed us to that area. They were not happy about the destruction of history - but, it is what it is. That destruction would not occur today.
@@rogerbogh3884 I understand very well the history of the building and the conventions in İslam, my grandfather was a Muslim. I don't think it matters if artifacts have been removed and mosaics covered up with plaster ( which we are to thank for the preservation of the mosaics). I don't think that matters. The building itself is an amalgamation of cultures and should be treated as a historic monument for others to learn from. Not reverted to a religious building. The republic of Türkiye was founded on secularism and the agia Sofia museum was an important symbol of this secular foundation. It should have stayed like that
@@Isxiros100 I agree 100%. However, if our hotel staff acting as guides were correct, most of the figure art (images) were actually destroyed - not plastered over. I don't think the current Turks would do that. I just don't think there is actually much remaining with regards to those historic mosaics. I hope I'm wrong. I think I was likely among the last to see the Sofia as a museum. I was there in 2003 before Erdogan took power.
@@rogerbogh3884 there are many of the originals that have been preserved under stucco, even though many were often defaced ( eyes and faces scratched out) there are many significant pieces that are there such as the pantokrator. It's not an issue that "most artifacts" have been destroyed from that period. It's more about showing the grace ofall the cultures. Including extant Islamic art and context as well as earlier Byzantine and Roman heritage. Of course the building has changed.....but turning it back into a mosque is a backward step and does the world no favours
I'm glad you brought up the points about transporting and erecting those obelisks with basic ancient technology. It can't be said enough... keep hammering that home
I was lucky enough to visit all these awe-inspiring places earlier this year, but it's still amazing to see them again here. I even stayed in the same part of town. I might be wrong, but I think the upstairs area of Hagia Sofia with the mosaics is actually closed for conservation, rather than because of the building being converted back into a Mosque, so should hopefully be accessible to the public again at some point. You can reach the aqueduct and city walls by bus or tram as well as by car. Also, it wasn't included in this tour (presumably because it's 'only' a few hundred years old and doesn't qualify as truly 'ancient'), but the Topkapi palace is an absolute must-see for anyone with an interest in history, and many of Istanbul's Ottoman mosques are architectural masterpieces as well.
They say it's for "conservation", but there is not a single sign of any "conservation" work being done there. It's been closed for almost 4 years now, and there's no signs of anything being done there. This is despite the Turkish government saying the galleries will still be open as a museum after the re-conversion to a mosque, this was a lie I guess. Another lie was that they said the mosaics would only be covered during prayer time, but the apse mosaic is covered at all times. Couple that with the restricted access, the massive decline in maintenance and the ancient floor being permanently covered with carpets (this is not for their protection, the floors have actually suffered *more* damage in the past 4 years than they ever did when it was a museum). The whole situation is shameful in my opinion. But I suppose this is just the ugly byproduct of conservation and world heritage becoming politicized for populist demagoguery.
@@marvelfannumber1 I'm sure Topkapi is amazing, better than any mosque! I have to go there, and nearly 100 other Turkish places! I didn't know these facts about the Hagia Sophia, but I entirely agree with you reasoning. Right wingers are never capable of telling the truth, on any continent at at any time.
@@marvelfannumber1 I'm not going to defend Erdogan or any of his disgusting 'populist' policies, but I don't think the closure of the upstairs parts of Hagia Sofia is directly related to the mosque conversion. Turkey's undergoing a severe economic crisis caused by both Erdogan's policies and the after-effects of the recent earthquake. Loads of state institutions were closed when I visited this summer, and the inflation Turkish people are living with made that we've recently experienced in the USA and Europe seem like nothing. If they haven't got the money to safely open historic buildings to the public without the risk of damage, then I'd much rather they kept them shut until they've got it.
@@chrisball3778 I mean, the galleries were open the day before it became a mosque, then when it became a mosque they were immediately closed. I don't think the Turkish government cares that much about conservation unfortunately. For instance, they were doing renovations in the nave, with tons of scaffolding up to 2020. Then those renovations were abruptly ended, simply because Erdogan wanted the scaffolding down, not because the work was actually done. The local government of Istanbul has been doing good work recently though. They're conducting excavations and restorations at the Boukoleon Palace, and have recently done some repair work on the walls. But the Istanbul government does not have control over Hagia Sophia, that falls under a central government ministry, which is much more incompetent and poorly organized unfortunately.
Wow was not expecting that! What a good episode! You are the man!! I didn’t know you went there! You’ve added yet another historical place I need to visit!
34:11 I went last week to the Hagia Sophia and it was to be visited by the Byzantine way around to get up and see the paintings and mosaics, and the lower part is reserved for the continuous religious activities, and they’re beautiful 🤩
15:18 "this upside Medusa head", the stone head of Medusa in Constantinopels aquifer. I had noticed a long time ago, that it actually represents the cut off head of Medusa and it was meant being a stationary in that position. It did not fall from anywhere and it was not meant to be put anywhere else also. Although the source of that information.... I dont know where a hell to find it.
Absolutely loved this Dr David. I was in Turkey in the late 80’s where I visited a pre classical site with my Dad. It was around 40 degrees and myself and my brother were cursing it under our breath as we were fed up, we both at the exact same time started to feel like we were going to pass out and struggled to breathe. It was the scariest sensation and both of us looked at each other like..”we should be more respectful I think”.😆.
thank you so much for the video! as a resident of Fatih, i feel like i learnt so much about the places i pass everyday :D also, about the modern art in the basilica - sometimes concerts and events are held in there (at night usually) so those are probably left behind from some event or other also fun fact about yedikule, we went to visit there with friends - the wooden place you passed by is where they beheaded a sultan! and if you look down into the chasm thru the cracks in the wood you can see some skulls :D
Instabul and Ancient Ruins ... yes!! Congratulations on 195K ❤ I joined when you had a little 0ver 30K and rarely commented. Happy/SAfe Travels Dr Miano
26:07 The basalt being called « granit » is a stonemason’s term. The same way a «fruit » in botany includes tomatoes, but in a cooking setting it isn’t. I asked the stonemason when I was confused that my mothers choice for her kitchen board was called granit when it clearly was basalt to my younger self as an archeology student… turned out it was both, in different professional jargons 🙈
Sirkeci is unrecognizable, since I visited the city several times circa 1975. Turkey had not yet become so popular a tourist destination and was off the beaten track. Most people assumed that I was German, and German was the most useful foreign language. The food was excellent, but neither the food nor the usual eateries looked like the trendy western things on view today. What an interesting trip down memory lane, contrasting with a half century previous.
@@cattymajiv America [that is, the US] is not a uniform entity. Parts of the US [parts of states from Alabama to Texas] are more like under developed countries, while Massachusetts has an HDI score like Norway and Switzerland. So what is Americanization?
@@cattymajiv yeah, what horror, woman can go around town with uncovered head without getting beheaded, all because of this dreaded Americanization, not like in the tradfash country like Iran smh.
Why is the framerate and dpi so poor quality? Is it due to UA-cam compression? Will this eventually improve over the next day or so? It's making my brain hurt.
Yes, thank you, I was hoping somebody else noticed and said something about it. I'm so distracted by it I'm not bothered watching past 10 min. Wobbling, not level, slow, blurry. I even checked my settings to see if it was an issue on my side.
@@lavinleitrim44 So, it turns out it's actually IN his edit. It's not a UA-cam thing. Good new is, though, they eventually figure it out and change cameras. The rest of the video is clear after, like 20 minutes(ish).
Pretty entertaining beginning, but fascinating monoliths with fascinating stories behind them! Thanks for all you do, Dr. Miano, because it's very appreciated. ❤❤ ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ Please, take time to tell your loved ones you love them EVERY chance you get. Tomorrow is not a given; you're never promised the next sunrise. ~ ~ ~ ~ "And don't let it break your heart. I know it feels hopeless sometimes. But they're never really gone as long as there's a memory in your mind." _Hold On To Memories_ Dave Draiman, Disturbed 💔 💔 • RIP MWB • 💔 💔
Excellent. At one time I would never have thought of going to Turkiye. Then I listened to History of Byzantium Podcast and also learned about the prehistoric archeology there. It seems like the ancient history and the modern culture would be wonderful to experience. I would wonder, for the accommodations and food--the way you existed while there--what the average daily cost was.
You mention that most of the paint is missing when discussing that great sarcophagus, but do we know what else is missing? At 26:30 and 26:42 you can see holes in the hands of soldiers and Alexander, so I guess they had weapons. Then at 26:58 there are holes in the leaves and vines. Do we know or have examples of what was placed on top of these vine carvings?
12:10 crazy to think that the greek/romans relocated various works of art from ancient Greece to Constantinople. According to byzantine scholars they even hold on Pheidias Zeus and Athena statues and other collections: all lost either during fires,civil strife or by the 4th crusade.
I visited Hagia Sophia a few years ago when I had a 7-hour layover in the Istanbul airport. I wasn't even aware of most of these places. Once place I did go to was the Sultan Ahmet Complex. Please tell me you visited the place and will have a video of it in the future. For those who haven't heard of this place, hint: it has some macabre places in it.
I wish they used a protective cover that had the same patterns as the floor beneath them that they are saving. Even if it was only a rough replication I think it would have very much added to the experience. Of course then you’re not using carpet unless you want to pay a ton for it. I wonder when the carpet was laid down.
wow amazing visit! i was catching up on your channel just the other day, watching through some travel videos, and i was wondering whether you would pay a visit to turkey, mostly because i myself went there a couple months ago XD alas, we didn't get to see much beyond the very centre of istanbul, but we saw quite a lot on the asian side of the country, including troy, ephesus, and underground cities and rock churches in the göreme area. it was great! i am looking forward to more episodes of the turkey series here on the channel!
Excellent content as always. I've been along for the ride since the Maya series (that so few watched; WTF?) I miss Natalie Hilder (indigenous name: "Stands with White Purse") but I'm sure Tess Schumacher will grow on me.
Happy New Year Professor Miano and Natalie, both of you have given viewers like myself a look into the past that is set in the concrete of facts and not suppositions. Great work Natalie; Great work David!
21:31 hard disagree. I am even painting my altar statues now xD Guess its a cultural thing but they painted things to give them life. Looking at these with the paint faded is like looking at corpses, especially from a pagan stand point. Currently painting a statue of Antheia and am planning to buy two replicas of Thorsvalden's Day & Night to paint. One is going to be Hemera and the other is of course Nyx (I got a original piece of day but I am not allowed to paint it lol)
Did you hire a local videographer or set up each scene/shoot with a remote-activated tripod-mounted camera, for lights, camera action filming? Excellent Video production.
I've been to the most beautiful city.!My grandmother was from there !And my grandfather came from Iconio to become apprentice and learn to make sweets!!!
I spent all day working on awful unresolved Locrian. Diminished fifths and unresolved what’s up prof? Please do a video about Dorian Ionian Phrygian and so on. And locrian.
What were the ladies trying from the tree at 38:28? It looked different. Just curious, and if it is already in the comments, I guess I missed it. Oh well I found it. It is a Morus alba (white mulberry) tree. If anyone else was as curious as I was. Great video, I loved it!
Great episode. But I have one quibble Eurasia is a continent. The largest one, in fact. Europe and Asia are regions. They do not meet the modern definitions of "continent" Such things were defined differently in the old days
You can bet that the holy music playing during the Hagia Sophia section was not "live". Breaks my heart to see that cathedral misused so. Good video, tho.
Taking us on a free tour, with no ancient alien technology, just the facts and best information we have. Excellent production quality as usual.
It's kind of odd that people who cannot accept that ancient peoples built pyramids & megaliths & other large structures don't dispute the cathedrals built during the middle ages throughout Europe. With the exception of having iron tools/using mortar the technology used was basically the same. They built scaffolds, had human or animal powered cranes, low tech tools to determine angles & standard measurements (plumb & square) & a lead engineer/architect plus teams of specialists/crafts people (guilds) In our modern day where we can watch an apt building go up in a week or two, it's difficult to fathom building projects that required decades or more. Sometimes multiple lifetimes.
If you accidentally go down on ancient alien type wormhole you will find people trying to claim that cathedrals in Brazil could not have been built by humans without modern power tools who don't seem to realise that it took centuries to build them which it definitely would not have taken if they had power tools...
Almost like no one is amazed by humans doing things that are impressive they are just so racist that they can't believe anyone they don't perceive as milky white could
I think it's because their are more records of building those particular structures, and its better to understand how they did it with the tools they had at the time. Compare that with people who didn't have a writing system and hadn't even invented the wheel, and the completion of those structures is harder to understand.
Much of the skepticism comes from the tools available at the time. Most would agree that "carving" marble for example would be a hard task to complete with a bronze tool. But if the public school teacher tells you it happened it must be true.
"Hard task" for modern people means impossible, since they couldn't be bothered to do the same. Most people take their car to reach their mailbox. People would benefit from working with their hands, without power tools. Especially with a group of people. Gives some perspective. Never underestimate the ingenuity of the human spirit, and the sheer power of a LOT OF DUDES.@@brassteeth3355
@@brassteeth3355 - The hilarious part of your arrogant and condescending comment is that you probably meant granite, as marble rates a 3 on the Mohs hardness scale and is considered "very soft" and "easily carved". WHOOPS! So no, "most would" NOT "agree" that carving marble with bronze would be "a hard task". It is incredibly easy. The fact that you were so arrogant about it is hilarious. "if the public school teacher tells you it happened it must be true." Those fools who learned the difference between soft and hard stone, what fools.
This was an incredible production. The growth of your channel is nothing short of amazing. Good luck!
In 1971, I was stationed on an army base just outside of Istanbul.. This was a great year for me as I was able to go into the city almost every weekend. This video was very well done! Thank you!
Learning something new about the ancient world is the best way to start off the new year!
I went with getting laid, but history is cool too.
I hope your channel grows enough to fund more amazing work
Thank you!
As a Greek Australian atheist, I honestly don't care about the religious claims over agia Sofia. But I honestly do wish it was still a museum.
There was no real need to convert/ reconsecrate it back into a mosque.
I think the building deserves to be a museum and display the awesome mixing, blending and succession of cultures.
It's a great historical and architectural building that should be enjoy to it's full.
Honestly, most of the Roman/Greek artifacts were removed and/or destroyed when it became the Suleiman Mosque. Most of those items are images which goes against Islam (kinda like some Christian sects frown upon imagery). If you note the video of the interior, the design elements were abstract geometric and calligraphy and not 'graven images'.
The famous Greek/Roman/Byzantian imagery remaining in the Mosque were kinda mistakes tucked into places hard to get to.
I was there before it changed back to a mosque. The women in our group did not need head coverings so it wasn't a mosque. There was one small area where those famous Justinian images still remain. Our friends who where showing us around (the hotel staff loved us 🙂) routed us to that area. They were not happy about the destruction of history - but, it is what it is. That destruction would not occur today.
@@rogerbogh3884 I understand very well the history of the building and the conventions in İslam, my grandfather was a Muslim.
I don't think it matters if artifacts have been removed and mosaics covered up with plaster ( which we are to thank for the preservation of the mosaics). I don't think that matters. The building itself is an amalgamation of cultures and should be treated as a historic monument for others to learn from. Not reverted to a religious building.
The republic of Türkiye was founded on secularism and the agia Sofia museum was an important symbol of this secular foundation. It should have stayed like that
@@Isxiros100 I agree 100%.
However, if our hotel staff acting as guides were correct, most of the figure art (images) were actually destroyed - not plastered over. I don't think the current Turks would do that. I just don't think there is actually much remaining with regards to those historic mosaics. I hope I'm wrong.
I think I was likely among the last to see the Sofia as a museum. I was there in 2003 before Erdogan took power.
@@rogerbogh3884 there are many of the originals that have been preserved under stucco, even though many were often defaced ( eyes and faces scratched out) there are many significant pieces that are there such as the pantokrator.
It's not an issue that "most artifacts" have been destroyed from that period. It's more about showing the grace ofall the cultures. Including extant Islamic art and context as well as earlier Byzantine and Roman heritage.
Of course the building has changed.....but turning it back into a mosque is a backward step and does the world no favours
It is still partly a museum , only the first floor is used as a mosque.
I'm glad you brought up the points about transporting and erecting those obelisks with basic ancient technology. It can't be said enough... keep hammering that home
During college holidays in ‘92, I went to Istanbul, Ephesus, Athens etc. Sights that remain fresh in my mind today.
Thanks!
And thank you!
It's a delight to watch someone who really enjoys history going through this!
Very cool. It must be so much fun for you to visit these places with all your knowledge. Very fun to watch.
I was lucky enough to visit all these awe-inspiring places earlier this year, but it's still amazing to see them again here. I even stayed in the same part of town. I might be wrong, but I think the upstairs area of Hagia Sofia with the mosaics is actually closed for conservation, rather than because of the building being converted back into a Mosque, so should hopefully be accessible to the public again at some point. You can reach the aqueduct and city walls by bus or tram as well as by car. Also, it wasn't included in this tour (presumably because it's 'only' a few hundred years old and doesn't qualify as truly 'ancient'), but the Topkapi palace is an absolute must-see for anyone with an interest in history, and many of Istanbul's Ottoman mosques are architectural masterpieces as well.
They say it's for "conservation", but there is not a single sign of any "conservation" work being done there. It's been closed for almost 4 years now, and there's no signs of anything being done there. This is despite the Turkish government saying the galleries will still be open as a museum after the re-conversion to a mosque, this was a lie I guess.
Another lie was that they said the mosaics would only be covered during prayer time, but the apse mosaic is covered at all times.
Couple that with the restricted access, the massive decline in maintenance and the ancient floor being permanently covered with carpets (this is not for their protection, the floors have actually suffered *more* damage in the past 4 years than they ever did when it was a museum).
The whole situation is shameful in my opinion. But I suppose this is just the ugly byproduct of conservation and world heritage becoming politicized for populist demagoguery.
@@marvelfannumber1 I'm sure Topkapi is amazing, better than any mosque! I have to go there, and nearly 100 other Turkish places! I didn't know these facts about the Hagia Sophia, but I entirely agree with you reasoning. Right wingers are never capable of telling the truth, on any continent at at any time.
@@marvelfannumber1 I'm not going to defend Erdogan or any of his disgusting 'populist' policies, but I don't think the closure of the upstairs parts of Hagia Sofia is directly related to the mosque conversion. Turkey's undergoing a severe economic crisis caused by both Erdogan's policies and the after-effects of the recent earthquake. Loads of state institutions were closed when I visited this summer, and the inflation Turkish people are living with made that we've recently experienced in the USA and Europe seem like nothing.
If they haven't got the money to safely open historic buildings to the public without the risk of damage, then I'd much rather they kept them shut until they've got it.
@@chrisball3778
I mean, the galleries were open the day before it became a mosque, then when it became a mosque they were immediately closed.
I don't think the Turkish government cares that much about conservation unfortunately. For instance, they were doing renovations in the nave, with tons of scaffolding up to 2020. Then those renovations were abruptly ended, simply because Erdogan wanted the scaffolding down, not because the work was actually done.
The local government of Istanbul has been doing good work recently though. They're conducting excavations and restorations at the Boukoleon Palace, and have recently done some repair work on the walls. But the Istanbul government does not have control over Hagia Sophia, that falls under a central government ministry, which is much more incompetent and poorly organized unfortunately.
Wow was not expecting that! What a good episode! You are the man!! I didn’t know you went there! You’ve added yet another historical place I need to visit!
It's like I'm on vacation myself. I love these videos. Well done everyone! Happy new year!
Thank you very much for this longer content! I really appreciate it.
Thank you so very much for this lovely piece. Have a good one. Love from Ljubljana.
Thanks, Tess and David, for a look around Istanbul
34:11 I went last week to the Hagia Sophia and it was to be visited by the Byzantine way around to get up and see the paintings and mosaics, and the lower part is reserved for the continuous religious activities, and they’re beautiful 🤩
15:18 "this upside Medusa head", the stone head of Medusa in Constantinopels aquifer. I had noticed a long time ago, that it actually represents the cut off head of Medusa and it was meant being a stationary in that position. It did not fall from anywhere and it was not meant to be put anywhere else also.
Although the source of that information.... I dont know where a hell to find it.
Absolutely loved this Dr David. I was in Turkey in the late 80’s where I visited a pre classical site with my Dad. It was around 40 degrees and myself and my brother were cursing it under our breath as we were fed up, we both at the exact same time started to feel like we were going to pass out and struggled to breathe. It was the scariest sensation and both of us looked at each other like..”we should be more respectful I think”.😆.
Thanks for taking us along.
Excellent documentary and incredible sights.
thank you so much for the video! as a resident of Fatih, i feel like i learnt so much about the places i pass everyday :D
also, about the modern art in the basilica - sometimes concerts and events are held in there (at night usually) so those are probably left behind from some event or other
also fun fact about yedikule, we went to visit there with friends - the wooden place you passed by is where they beheaded a sultan! and if you look down into the chasm thru the cracks in the wood you can see some skulls :D
Liked up, subb'ed up, and waiting for all the drops in 2024! Thanks Doc, LOVE this channel!
Instabul and Ancient Ruins ... yes!!
Congratulations on 195K ❤
I joined when you had a little 0ver 30K and rarely commented.
Happy/SAfe Travels Dr Miano
This wasa great tour. Looking forward to Nicea. Thank You.
Well done Doc, a new fascinating ancient history location and not one....but two dishy traveling companions, what a great life you got ;-)
Can't complain.
26:07 The basalt being called « granit » is a stonemason’s term. The same way a «fruit » in botany includes tomatoes, but in a cooking setting it isn’t.
I asked the stonemason when I was confused that my mothers choice for her kitchen board was called granit when it clearly was basalt to my younger self as an archeology student… turned out it was both, in different professional jargons 🙈
Sirkeci is unrecognizable, since I visited the city several times circa 1975. Turkey had not yet become so popular a tourist destination and was off the beaten track. Most people assumed that I was German, and German was the most useful foreign language. The food was excellent, but neither the food nor the usual eateries looked like the trendy western things on view today. What an interesting trip down memory lane, contrasting with a half century previous.
I'm sure that like every other place, the Americanization of Turkey has made it a worse place to visit, not better.
@@cattymajiv America [that is, the US] is not a uniform entity. Parts of the US [parts of states from Alabama to Texas] are more like under developed countries, while Massachusetts has an HDI score like Norway and Switzerland. So what is Americanization?
@@cattymajiv yeah, what horror, woman can go around town with uncovered head without getting beheaded, all because of this dreaded Americanization, not like in the tradfash country like Iran smh.
I always feel like exploring all this beautiful sites besides you..!!! Just love it!!
Thanks David!
Why is the framerate and dpi so poor quality? Is it due to UA-cam compression? Will this eventually improve over the next day or so? It's making my brain hurt.
Yes, thank you, I was hoping somebody else noticed and said something about it. I'm so distracted by it I'm not bothered watching past 10 min. Wobbling, not level, slow, blurry. I even checked my settings to see if it was an issue on my side.
@@lavinleitrim44 So, it turns out it's actually IN his edit. It's not a UA-cam thing. Good new is, though, they eventually figure it out and change cameras. The rest of the video is clear after, like 20 minutes(ish).
This was awesome. Thank you for this video and happy new year.
amazing tour
We are truly blessed to live on this beautiful planet.
✨⭐🙏⭐✨
Pretty entertaining beginning, but fascinating monoliths with fascinating stories behind them! Thanks for all you do, Dr. Miano, because it's very appreciated. ❤❤
~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~
Please, take time to tell your loved ones you love them EVERY chance you get. Tomorrow is not a given; you're never promised the next sunrise.
~ ~ ~ ~
"And don't let it break your heart. I know it feels hopeless sometimes. But they're never really gone as long as there's a memory in your mind." _Hold On To Memories_ Dave Draiman, Disturbed
💔 💔 • RIP MWB • 💔 💔
Just a shout out to say hello & Happy New Year! Been enjoying your travels; some of your best content so far.
Thank you!
Great video. Great country. Thanks. Looking forward to future episodes.
Excellent. At one time I would never have thought of going to Turkiye. Then I listened to History of Byzantium Podcast and also learned about the prehistoric archeology there. It seems like the ancient history and the modern culture would be wonderful to experience. I would wonder, for the accommodations and food--the way you existed while there--what the average daily cost was.
The prices were about the same as what you would find in an American city.
Great episode! I love the little skit at the beginning
thank you, great video. i'll never make it to these places, so i am grateful for these explorations.
You mention that most of the paint is missing when discussing that great sarcophagus, but do we know what else is missing? At 26:30 and 26:42 you can see holes in the hands of soldiers and Alexander, so I guess they had weapons. Then at 26:58 there are holes in the leaves and vines. Do we know or have examples of what was placed on top of these vine carvings?
The vine holes are really interesting...wonder if it was just...leaves, so it had a more 3D effect
12:10 crazy to think that the greek/romans relocated various works of art from ancient Greece to Constantinople.
According to byzantine scholars they even hold on Pheidias Zeus and Athena statues and other collections: all lost either during fires,civil strife or by the 4th crusade.
Serpent Column is the best column! One of the heads is in the archeological museum there in Istanbul.
I wonder and amazed how you could remember all the so many names of ancient persons and places. You even pronounced the words fluently.
Because he had all this information downloaded into his brain, by ancient aliens!😅
Thank you so much for showing us Istanbul. I have wanted to visit there and maybe I will personally be able to visit it for myself. ❤🙏😍
Thank you, Dr. David & Tess 🙂❤️ i enjoyed travelling along with you!!
#9... #9 😁 i caught thaaattt 😎
Istanbul is so beautiful. I went 3 times in my life and treasure those memories. ❤
Dr.Miano every time you are making video with a co-host it does reminding me why I study History back in University
i love this series so much, and this topic is 1000% my shit
you're doing great work
thank you for this excellent video!
I visited Hagia Sophia a few years ago when I had a 7-hour layover in the Istanbul airport. I wasn't even aware of most of these places.
Once place I did go to was the Sultan Ahmet Complex. Please tell me you visited the place and will have a video of it in the future. For those who haven't heard of this place, hint: it has some macabre places in it.
@32:11 "Number 9... Number 9..." Beatles reference?
Thanks for this New year's gift.
This is awesome. I went to Istanbul once, playing with a band. Was there 2 days.
To be able to identify an Aramaic inscription and read it... just one of the dozens of enjoyable experiences in this video!
Love the antiques in your house
Thanks.
15:13
Ah, some things never change in the trades.
14:30 - Is this the same cistern filmed in the "Angels & Demons" Hollywood motion picture?
No, but it was in the sequel, Inferno.
Bobby Fingers, in his last video, had the #1 best reason to go to Istanbul.
I wish they used a protective cover that had the same patterns as the floor beneath them that they are saving. Even if it was only a rough replication I think it would have very much added to the experience. Of course then you’re not using carpet unless you want to pay a ton for it. I wonder when the carpet was laid down.
When can we expect an episode on the Mines of Moria?
As soon as they get rid of the Balrog.
Well Istanbul is the real world version of Minas Tirith.
wow amazing visit! i was catching up on your channel just the other day, watching through some travel videos, and i was wondering whether you would pay a visit to turkey, mostly because i myself went there a couple months ago XD
alas, we didn't get to see much beyond the very centre of istanbul, but we saw quite a lot on the asian side of the country, including troy, ephesus, and underground cities and rock churches in the göreme area. it was great!
i am looking forward to more episodes of the turkey series here on the channel!
When you cap the framerate at 25 FPS so you can enable ray-tracing:
Yeah, I was going to post a gentle suggestion about that. It probably looks OK on mobile but it's really choppy.
Thx for vids 👍 8'58 guitar ?? 😅
I am an engineer, but after watching your videos want to study the ancient history. This tour was like theory 1st and now practical time.
Excellent content as always. I've been along for the ride since the Maya series (that so few watched; WTF?)
I miss Natalie Hilder (indigenous name: "Stands with White Purse") but I'm sure Tess Schumacher will grow on me.
Happy New Year Professor Miano and Natalie, both of you have given viewers like myself a look into the past that is set in the concrete of facts and not suppositions. Great work Natalie; Great work David!
Thank you! My new co-host is Tess.
21:31 hard disagree. I am even painting my altar statues now xD
Guess its a cultural thing but they painted things to give them life. Looking at these with the paint faded is like looking at corpses, especially from a pagan stand point.
Currently painting a statue of Antheia and am planning to buy two replicas of Thorsvalden's Day & Night to paint. One is going to be Hemera and the other is of course Nyx (I got a original piece of day but I am not allowed to paint it lol)
I love your content! ❤ the low framerate is a production choice i take it. Personally i find it hard to watch the most choppy sections of the video
Not a choice. The settings on the camera were wrong during the morning of that day.
Thank you for the maps. One can never use too many maps!
"There were no monsters, but we had Tess"😂😂😂
Is the video playing at 15fps or so for everyone else?
Did you hire a local videographer or set up each scene/shoot with a remote-activated tripod-mounted camera, for lights, camera action filming? Excellent Video production.
Would the big ornate sarcophagi have been painted also? 25 minutes in
I have been to Istanbul, it is a fascinating place.
0:48 No monsters but we did have Tess she always wanted veterinarian food. Yes they can turn feral if they don't get that 🙂
Did you also visit the remains of St Polyeucte, St Serge and Bacchus, or perhaps they are not visitable?
Thanks for pointing out where the anti-gravity technology was used.
Dr Miano: could you do a piece on Cicero?
Will you help me identify the music played during the Hagia Sofia segment?
Songs used in the video are listed in the description box.
Awesome video
I've been to the most beautiful city.!My grandmother was from there !And my grandfather came from Iconio to become apprentice and learn to make sweets!!!
I spent all day working on awful unresolved Locrian. Diminished fifths and unresolved what’s up prof? Please do a video about Dorian Ionian Phrygian and so on. And locrian.
What were the ladies trying from the tree at 38:28? It looked different. Just curious, and if it is already in the comments, I guess I missed it. Oh well I found it. It is a Morus alba (white mulberry) tree. If anyone else was as curious as I was. Great video, I loved it!
Mulberries, yes.
Fantastic
I always knew David Miano was a theatre kid lmao!
The roof has been raised folks!
But what do the carved hieroglyphs of the obelisk tell us?
Great episode. But I have one quibble
Eurasia is a continent. The largest one, in fact. Europe and Asia are regions. They do not meet the modern definitions of "continent"
Such things were defined differently in the old days
You can bet that the holy music playing during the Hagia Sophia section was not "live". Breaks my heart to see that cathedral misused so. Good video, tho.
Oh to be a pigeon following the prof… could talk all day….
When did the expression "cool" enter the scholarly lexicon?
What does 'See-ee' mean? I can't find it in any dictionary. The presenter says it at 5mins. Great channel by the way! Love it.
Explained here: ua-cam.com/video/s6Lv3KpphVg/v-deo.html
loved it
SO COOL.
Great video. Statues are incomplete without paint not "nicer"😂
Through out Science, we struggle with the notion that " We don't Know" Often this feeling gives rise to some pretty odd conclusions !!
27:44 LOL