Saksagan
The Gates of the Theodosian Walls
The Theodosian Walls of Constantinople had a total of ten main gates and several smaller entrances called posterns. These openings were essential for the...
Evidence from the Final Siege
Was There Water in the Moat?
One of the most important questions about the moat of Constantinople is whether it was filled with water—especially during...
Was the Moat Always Filled with Water?
Some historical writers described the moat of Constantinople as always filled with water, giving the city the appearance of being surrounded by the sea....
Euphrates River Fırat
Geographical Importance of the Euphrates River
The Euphrates River is an important geographical feature in both ancient and biblical texts.
The Euphrates flows through modern-day Iraq,...
Mount Ararat and the Ark
What Does Ararat Really Mean?
Bible scholars agree that the word Ararat actually means the Urartu region, which was a large area, not a specific...
Mount Ararat A Mountain of Mystery
Is Mount Ararat Really in the Bible?
Many people believe that Mount Ararat is where Noah’s Ark landed. But the Bible does not say this...
A Courteous Offer to Swap Horses
My Turkish friend, the leader of the group, noticed how awkward I looked on such a funny horse. He insisted that I "swap" horses...
The Vali’s Garden
Under the shade of a small, pretty kiosk, beside a plantation and overlooking a dry, yellow river with a dusty plain beyond, sat the...
A Visit from a Turkish General
I was just about to take a comfortable nap when I heard a knock at the door of the British Consulate. A Turkish general,...
Ongoing Balkan Tensions
The Unresolved Ethnic Struggle
While Austria’s recent triumph may temporarily discourage the Balkan Slavs, the racial conflict is likely to resurface. Behind the small kingdom...
