Some information about ISTANBUL

THE  HISTORY  OF  ISTANBUL

   When the Byzas,Megarians asked their prophets where to set up their “home”,their prophets said “against the land of the blinds “.On exploration of the Bosphorus the Megarians were fascinated by the uninhabited beauty of the landscape and as the accross the water was already occupied by the Khalkhedonians,they thought one who leaves such beauty uninhabited and lives against it must be blind and obey their prophets foresight whit pleasure. 

 A century later than the establishment Byzantion was occupied by persians in 513 B.C. and then by Athens and Spartians.İn a period of conflict between Athens and Spartians,Macedonian Kingdom under King Philippos ıts reign had become powerful day after day.Altought this expensive Kingdom captured Byzantion in 340 B.C. was unable to occupy.After Greece was dominated by Alexander who took over King Philippos II, Persians were also attacked by him and Alexander got hold of Anatolia defeating the Persians in 334 B.C. Following the death of Alexander,te city was governed by this victorous commanders until it was tremendously destroyed by the Galatian attacks after278 B.C.İn that period of fluctuation,Byzantion eventually was dominated by Romans who were about to astabkish a global Empire after the defeat of Macedonians in 1464 B.C. and the city was governed under the force of Roman State of Thrace.Roman Emperor Septimus Severus ordered total destruction of the Byzantion and massacre of the Byzantion s who were with his rival Roman General Niger.As Septimus Seeverus would not easily give away such a strategical city.later had it rebuilt and changed the name of the city as Antoneinia.The walls surrounding the city were expanded,the square in front of St.Sophia Church was reorganised and the road was connected from there to Çemberlitaş.İn 203 B.C. construction of a Hippodrome was started and an amphitheatre was built downhill Acropolis nearby Haliç. Following the defeat of his rival Licinius in 324 A.D, Emperor Constantinus (306-337) started the foundation and development of the city.İnitially the Roman Capital was thought to be settled in Troy in memeory of mythological Trojan Aeneas howewer  then Byzantion was preferredThe surounding walls built by Severus,were rebuilt further away in 2.8 km west.The “Forums” (Squares)were connected each other by roads within the walls.Chirstian Constantinus had old Pagan temples repaired besides having built the magnificent St. Sophia Church.The restored city was named as Nea Rome and declared to be CAPİTAL İN 11^TH May 330 with a tremendous ceremony.Folllowing the death of Constantınus ,the name of the City was converted into Constantinopolis.Later on.the name started to be pronouncedas Stinpolis,Stinpol,Estanbul and evenyually İstanbul.    The comptetionbetween Constantinpolis as center of Christianity and Rome as center of Paganism outraged and Constantinopolis became outstanding for Christianity.Theodosius I as s dedicated Orthodox,suppressed the Pagans and in that period of turbulence divided the Empire into two in 395 A.D. That discrimination ended up with Western Rome,and Eastern Rome,the capital of whıch was Constantinopolis.Getting advantage of thıs division,Westren Goths forced the walls of Constantinopolis.       Eastern Roman Empire solved the problem by appointing Alarik the king of Goths as General Commander of the Balcans while Rome,the Capital of  Western Roman Empire,was destroyed to a great extent as they failed to perform such a policy (400 A.D.)Having survived the occupation of Goths,the Capital of Eastern Roman Empire,Constantinopolis,faced attacks from Huns (400)and could survive only after the dispersion of Hun Empire following the death of Emperor Atilla.During this period under stress,the economy failed in Eastern Roman Empire,there arouse deep conflicts between Arıusism and Orthodox and even the efforts of Theodosius II’were not enough to solve the problem.    This was when the Haliç and Marmara walls were built inside the outer surrounding ones.so,the city was expended  two fifth of its size.After the death of Theodosius,subsequent Emperor Marcianus in 451 invited the Kadıköy Council to get together,with this unity,the Archbishop of Constantinopolis were respected in equal highness of the Pope.    Therefore,the Churc also was divided into two as East and West.Leon 1,who took over Marcianus’reign,invited Isaurians to get rid of Aspar the leader of  German Community in the Capital and Isaurians having easily dominated the city,shortly took over the government on the name of their commander Zenon and ruled for 15 years.In the meanntime,Western Roman Empire was swept away from the stage of story in  476 as a result of  German attacks.Anastasios 1,who took over after Zenon,while trying to balance the economy,caused conflits among religious communities as a result of his discriminative attitude towards religion.Trying protect his crown by extensive privileges given to the Orthodox community,Justinianus 1(527-565),nephew of Justınıus,who took over right after him,reorganized the army and went for  crusades to enlarge the borders with respect to the former extent,therefore on his victory over the Vandals and Berberis in Africa,Goths in Spain,region as Mediterranean Sea to be a laken for Eastern Roman  Empire.However,he received disregard on his performance because of his suppressive regime.    Orthodoxes,The Blues who were the representatives of land-owners and The Greens who were the representatives of trademen and craftmen gathered in Hippodrome and rebelled againist Justinianus.     During this rebellion dated 532 and named as Nika Rebellion,St.Sophia previously restored by Theodsius 11 as ıt had been destroyed before in a rebellion in 404,was burnt.This rebellion spread throughout the city and a lot of  blood  was shed      Following Justinianus,during Justinius11,Tiberius 1 and Mavrikios reigns,Constantinopolis gained more importance each day being a milestone on the Silkroad of China-İndia trade route.The city resisted the attacks from eastern Sasanians and those attacks continued until 591.      In Phokas Period (602-610),religious and political turbulence started again until Herakleios who took over in 610 changed the policy and shared the Anatolian land among the military executions called Thema.İnstead of paid soldiers,whit the army gathered from Syria,Palastine,Egypt and Armenia,he regained the land once lost.the state which is widely known as Byzance instead Eastern Roman Empire,had to bear the Arab attacks in 7^th century; in 673-677 Arabs kept the city under conquest.had  Justinianus 11,who took over in 685,perforrmed a policy based mainly on peasants and therefore,the aristocrats united with the Blues in 695 dethroned Justinianus’11  and Leontios became the Emperor.this was followed by Tiberius counter rebellion and dethroned Justinianus was recrowned in 705.Emperor Justinianus continue to lead the reign until 711 when he was killed in a rebellion.While the Arab attacks were continuing,Theodsios 111 became the Emperor.However his reign also didn’t last long and in 717 Leo 111 was throned.Leo 111 supported  Iconoclastic attitude and had the busts of previous emperors broken.   The turbulence was persistent during the reign of his son,Constantinos V.The city endured Arab and Bulgarian attacks and had hard times during this period until the taxes paid to them were increased and troublewas suppressed.From 802 till 811, Emperor Nikephoros I went over Bulgaria  several times to get rid of the risk,however,he was killed there.Although Arabs and Russians recaptured the city in 821 during Michael 11 period they were  unable to occupy it.    When Basileios,who was a Balcan Slavian,converted to Christianism and making  his life  as a horsebreaker in Constrantinopolis,had the emperor xexcuted  and announced  himself has the Emperor of Eastern Roman Empire,his Macedonian reign,took over  the Byzantine throne in 867-1056.İn 963, Commander Nikephoros  Phokas 11 went eastwards and occupied Klikia,Cyprus and Antioch,Then expended  upto Donau via Bulgaria  and was killed  when he returned to Constantinopolis in 969 .After Nikephoros Phokas 11,loannes (Tsimiskes)1 took over.While the struggle between aristocracy and peasants were going on,the state was under pressure with attacks from Seljuks on the east,Normans on the west,Petchenegues and Koumans on the north.İn a period when Roman and Byzantine churches other,gradully alinated towards each other,the public throned Romanos Diogenes in 1068,Diogenes went over Seljuks on the east to get rid of their challenge however in 26^th August 1071 was defeated in Manzikert and submitted to Alparslan.When the Emperor returned to Constantinopolis being set free by the Turks,he was killed after his eyes were removed.Taking over in 1081,Emperor Alexios started the reign of Commenos dynasty.As a result of  Turkish threat on the east,Byzance supported crusades on the name of Christianity,İn 1096,the first crusaders arrived Constantinopolis having destroyed Hungary and Balcans,the Emperor directed this army to Anatolia However those first crusaders were tremendously defeated by Seljuks.The same year,the second crusaders sterted off and  captured Antioch in 1099.İndepented crusaders  and the Byzan ad conflicts as the crusaders would torture the common people and destroy whereever they stepped on.That was a reason for rebellion against them within the Empire was to put pressure on the aristocracy saying “Give up injustice or your life”.That motto widely  received respect from the public.However the aristocrats united with the outer forces got hold of Cyprus and Sicily;then they went over Constantinopolis.Under such a pressure,the public rebelled againist the Emperor and İynched him.When Jeruselam was ocuupied by Selahattin Eyyubi in 1187,the third  crusaders started off.Th e fourth crusaders over Anatolia,captured Consatantinopols and occupied the city.Therefore the Byzantines had to fight with the Latins but were defeated and the city was destroyed.Latins declared Baudin the Count of Flander as the first Latin Emperor of Byzanse.The new Emperor kept one fourth of theEmpire and shared the rest among Venetians and other crusaders.Therefore,three eighth of the land,the Bosphorus and the city belonged to Venetians.The anhabitants were kept under pressure and they seemed to accept the Latin dominance.The grandsons of Emperor Andronikos 1,established the Pontus ByzantineState in Trabzon in1204.Contemporarily,an exile government was established in İznik by Theodoros Laskaris.Kouman Turks and Bulgarians defeated Latins in Edirne (Andrianople) in 1205.Then Constantinopolis had been a colony of the Venetians,until it was occupied by Micheal Palaiologos V111,the Emperor of Nicaea.That concluded the Latin dominance over Consatantinopolis performing a dual policy between Venetians and Genoeses the Empire declared Galata to be a free trade zone and Geneoses were appointed to govern the zone.When Andronikos 11 from the Palaiologos dynasty was throned in 1282,the Empire was suffering a depression in economy and a turbulence in military.Venetians and Genoese were in  a limitless freedom to govern.When Catalans lesder Roger de Flor came to capture Anatolia from Turks but defeated in 1303,he compensated his defeated by plundering Constantinopolis.İn the same period,Anatolian Seljuks state,capital of which was Konya,dispersed under Mongolian invasion in 1308.     Following the dispersion,there were several independent “Beylik”s in Anatolia.One of  them was the “Kayı Aşireti” in  “Söğüt”under “Osman Bey”s leadership  who started the establishment of the Ottoman Empire later in 1299.Ottomans gradually transformed from a small”Beylik” to an expensive Empire and they attacked to conquer Byzance several times.However,in 1453,Byzance was conquered thorougly by young Ottoman Sultan Mehmet 11 the Conqueror,while Byzance was conqueror was under the rule of their last Emperor,Constantinopolis PalaiologosX1                                 

  BYZANTINE WORKS IN ISTANBUL     

 At the time when the Turks conquered the Byzantium,Constantinople was in the midst of a period  of hardship and neglect.As stated by Constantinus and Justinianus,the city was divided into 14 sections.These sections were connected by many roads.The most significant ones were those leading from Beyazıt to Aksaray,from there to Cerrahpaşa,from Altınmermer to Yedikule.Scattered on these roads were numerous squares.The first square which Septimus Severus had built on the hill of Topkapı was adorned by several temples.The Goth Column in the Sarayburnu gate of this square place which Gladius 11 Goticus (268-270)had erected in memory of the victory he won againist the Goths still erects today.     The second one is the Augustaeumsquare built by Constantinus.This square which Justinianus requested to be done more sumptuously  is marblecovered with twostoreyed porticosat sides and a monument of the emperor riding a horse takes place at the center.      The St.Sophia Church is situated at this place.To the west of the St. Shopıa Church there were the Patriarch’s residence,several inns,to the east the Senate building,to the south two palaces and some Turkish baths.The hippodrome was in the southeastern part of this square.This splendid hippodrome which Septimus Severus had  commenced and Constantinus had completed was a magnificent building for 30.000 people with a sumptuous Emperor’s  Lodge of 500 m lenght and 118 m width.The hippodrome had a platform  called “Spina” in the center of the racing tracks,The spina was adorned with works of art.The Four Horses Statue which sits at the entry of the Santa Marco Church in Venice today  ,once orginally stood here.To the east of this platform Constantinus V11 Prophyregenetos had the 20.68 m high “Örme Sütun”(Plaited Column”built in 994,however,since the bronze reliefs that once adorned it have been removed by the Latins in 1204,only naked stone can be seen today.       Constantinus had the “Burmalı Sütun”(Twisted Column) taken from its orginal place in the Apollo Temple in Delphi and erected  it between Dikilitaş and “Örme Sütun”.The column consist of the interwound bodies of snakes with three snake heads on top.The most impressive monument of the hippodrome is the “Dikilitaş”(Obelisk)that Theodosius 1 had brought from Egypt in 290 to be erected here.Displaying the victories of Phorao Tutmosis 111,this 18 m high obelisk has a marble socket with  reliefs of  The odosius and Arcadius.    Turks did not give any harm and it was maintained in its orginal shape until today.Prior to Çemberlitaş,there is the Milion square which is a smaal square with the basalica on top of Yerebatan Palace opening to it.The Forum Constantinus in Çemberlitaş the city’s the column is still maintained in “Kadın Sokağı”(Woman’s  Street)in Haseki.The reliefs of Emperor Arcadius and Theodosius are being displayed in the İstanbul Archaeological Museum today.The “Kıztaşı”(Maiden’s Stone)Column at the Marcianus Square in Fatih is well preserved  to this day.The “Mese Street”that started in front of the St.Sophie Church and ended in Edirnekapı with columns on both sides,and behind them covered colonnade section,where shops tokk place connected all these squares.     The “Graet Palace”to the southeast of the St.Sophie Church and ended and  Hippodrome that was built during the reign of Constantinus and extented of in the Justinianus Period was abandoned in the 13^th century and the court moved to Blekarnai Palace.İn the Mosaic Museum at the lower part of the       ,second hill,surrounded by two-storeyed porticos and in its center is the 57 m high,9 piece column wiyh the Apollo statue that Constantinus had brought from the Apollo Temple in 328.As Sultan Mustafa 11 had it encircled  by a hoop to prevent its collapse,this column has become known as Çemberlitaş(Hopped Stone)up to date.On the third hill of the city,which is called Beyazıt today,there was the Forum Tauri that developed in the period of Great Theodosius and there was a silver statue of Emperor Theodosius 1 on top a column.Many roads led the this place in the heart of the city.   İn Cerrahpaşa was a square named after Emperor Arcadius.As the slave market was held here.Turhs called it the “Woman’s market”.Being one of İstanbuls seven hills,it hosted the column erected by Arcadius to symbolize his victory against the Goths in 402.A part of the pedestal The Pantocrator Monastery which loannes Kommenos (1118-1143)had built in Zeyrek suffered a looting  during the Latin invasion and only the church division of it could preserved.Following  the invasion it was converted into the Zeyrek Mosque.The Chora  Monastery in Edirnekapı was built by Emperor Alaxi 1 Kommenos’mother in-low,Maria Doukania between the years 1077-1081,then restored in the period of Annikos 11 and expanded due to enclosures made between the years 1315-1321 of which the mosaics were done by Theodoros Metokhites.Today,it serves as Kariye Museum.    The St.Nicolas Church in the vicinity of Kariye Monastery was converted into Kefeli Mosque in the Sultan Selim 1 period and Sultan Ahmet Mosque,the mosaics of the Great Palace are displayed.The only part of the Blekarnai Palace which  was situated between Ayvansaray and Eğrikapı that could preserved until today is the Tekfur (Prince)Palace buılt by Manuel Kommenos 1 (1143-1180)in the farthest corner in Edirnekapı.When Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror conquered Byzantium,he did not interfere with the religious beliefs of the people and let the churches and monasteries all over the city continue freely with their  worship.The Pammakaristos Church built in 1292 was expanded in 1315 when enclosures were built by order of Mıckael Glabas’wife Maria.This church of which the main cupola is adorned with mosaics portraying  Jesus and his 12 apostles was converted into Fethiye Mosque during the reign of Sultan Murat 111 in 1586.This church in the Çarşamba district is open to visit as museum today. the church which Leon 1 had built in Ayvansaray in 458 in the name of St.Pierre and St Maria was converted into Atik Mustafa Pasha Mosque during the reign of Sultan Beyazıd 11.The church Justiniaunus had built in 527 dedicated to St.Serge and St.Bacchus in the Cankurtaran district was converted into St.Sophia the Minor Mosque by Sultan Beyazid 11.One of the most impressive buildings of the Byzantıum,without doubt,is the St. Sophia Church.İts construction was started during the reign of Consatantinus and was opened to worship on 15^th Februray 360.During a revolt againist Emperor Arcadius in 404 this church was burned down and was rebuilt by  Theodosius 11 in 415.The new church also was destroyed by a fire that accompanied the Nika revolt in 532 and the present church was built in its place during the Justinianus Period 537.After the conquest,the St. Sophia Church was converted into a mosque and Sultan Beyazid -11 and Sultan Murat 111 had minarets added.Throughout the course of history it was repaired numerous times and today serves as a museum.The St. Irene Church behind the St.Sophia Church ogf wich the construction dates back to the beginning of the Constantinus period was also destroyed during the Nika revolt in 532,later in the 6^th century Justinianus had it rebuılt in its orginal design.     The Fenari İsa (Jesus)Mosque at Vatan Caddesi(street)is the Lips Monastery that was built in the name of Virgiin Mary in 907.It was looted during the Latin invasıon and turned into a mosque by the order of Beyazid 11.     The Akateleptos Church in Şehzadebaşı that dates back to the 11^th century was converted into Kalenderhane Mosque by Sultan Mehmet,the Conqueror and the Hagios Theodorus Church built in Vefa in the 11^th century was converted into Vefa Church Mosque by Molla Gürani after the conques.also the Theodosia Church situated between Unkapı and Ayakkapı was converted into Gül Mosque under Selim 11 and the Hagios Andreas Church in Cerrahpaşa belonging to the 7^th century was converted into Koca Mustafa  Pasha Mosque.The İmrahor İlyas Bey Mosque situated between Samatya and Yedikule originally was a monastery,buılt in 46,but it was converted into a mosque in the Beyazıd 11 period.    Besides these religious momunets there are impressive cisterns that the Ottomans inherited from the Byzantium and preserved until today.The remains of the Valance Arch,also called Bozdoğan Arch,situated between Edirnekapı and Beyazıt was built by Emperor valance to solve the tap water problem of Constantiniople in 368,consist of a 20 m high wall.      Opposite the St. Sophia Church the Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Underground Cistern)that Byzantine Emperor Justinianus had built in the 6^th century,measuring 140*70 m in among the most important works reached to the present day.It was used for some time by the Ottomans and after being restored it was opened to the public as museum.Situated between Sultanahmet and Beyazıt,opposite the Justice Palace takes place the Binbirdirek Cistern which was built by the order of  Philoksenos, a Senate member  in Constantinus 1 period in the 4^th century.This cistern measuring 66*56 m was carried by 224 columns consisting of 16 rows each one having 14 columns .Apart from these covered cisterns there were many others like Actius and Aspar that were not covered,     The Kızkulesi (Maiden’s Tower)in Salacak,Üsküdar which has become a symbol of İstanbul,was built by the Greek commander Alkibiades  in 419 B.C. for the observation  of the probable enemies that may come from the Black Sea.The Byzantine Emperor Kommenos converted this tower into a fourtress.Kızkulesi,playground of many mythological stories,was rebuilt by the Ottomans and restored as a wooden tower.When this wooden tower burned down,the stone tower that can be seen today was buılt during the Ahmed 111 period and ıts management was assigned to the Lıghthouses Office in 1857.      The Galata Tower,buılt by the Genoeses as principal tower of the Galata walls in 1348 is 61 m high and consists of 12 floors inclusive a cellar.Its roof has been restored and is being used as a resturant today.      While many of the Byzantine churches have been restored and preserved as mosques,many churches lıke Hagia Irene,Fethiye and Kariye and primarily the St.Sophia Church today serve as museum for tourists.Besides these splendid Byzantine buıldings,the walls ofİstanbul has been restored for many times over the years in order to be maintained for the future.For the first time walls of Constantinus encircling five hills were extended during the Theodosius 11 period in 412 to cover new districts..These walls started from the shores of the Marmara Sea extended over a distance of 5km. Up to the Golden Horn shore.Supported by 110 towers,these walls were 15m high,and strenghtened by a double wall and pits on the land side.The walls of İstanbul have many gates such as Topkapı,Eğrikapı and Edirnekapı.Restoration works that started during the Ottoman Empire period have continued ever since in order to carry these treasures for generations to come.                                             

LEANDER’S TOWER       

This tower was buılt during the reign of Ahmed 111.is said to be the site of a Byzantine fortress buılt during  the reign of the emperor Manuel Comnenos,which was itself on the site of a tower buılt off the coast of Salacak in 410 B.C.,by the Athenian Commander Alkibiades.The present tpwer has been used as a lighthouse maidens tower,acquired this name through its connection with a legend of the Byzantine era.The emperor Constantine is said to have been told that his daughter would be killed by a snake bite,whereupon,he had her encarcerated in a tower,wkich was especially buılt for her offshore.However,a snake hidden in a basket of fruıt was accidentally carried to the tower and caused the death of the princess.                                         

UNDERGROUND CISTERN       

 Located opposite Hagia Sophia,is the last cistern constructed by Byzantium amperor Justinianus the fiirstin the V1th century.         The cistern having dimensions 70*140m and with a depth of 8m.covers 28*12 that is 336 columns totally,each of them having a Corinth style capital.Part of it still constains some water.                                          

 SULTANAHMET SQUARE        

The area now overshadowed by Sultanahmet Mosquewas,during the Byzantine period,the scene of horse-racing in the hippodrome.                            The hippodrome first built by Septimus Severus,and englarged by Constantinus,was flanked on three sides by tiers of seats for spectators.The Imperial stand was situated on the site of what is now the “German Fountain”.Originally it was an arena for wild beasts then a ditch was built around it to protect the spectators from these animals.Later when such games were abandoned a long terrace(called the Spina)was buılt in the centre,upon whıch were set up the Dikilitaş(Obelisk),Burmalı Sütun(Spiral Column),and statues showing a man in combat with a lion,a dying bull,a Hercules by the sculptor Lisippos of Chios,an unruly horse,and an eagle grasping a snake.     The hippodrome,which was 118m wide and 370m long,had high walls.It had a capacity of 100.000 spectators,and had entrances throug both of the long walls and also the Antiochus Portal,bellow the Empeor’sLoggia.Forty rows of seats supported by arcades lined the arena.The stairs to the tiers and the circular promenade above them were decorated with statuates.The Emperor Wilhelm Fountain(Alman Çeşmesi)now occupies the site of the what was Emperor’s Lodge,from which the Emperor and his court would watch the games.     Here  he rested,dined,and recieved visitors.The gallery in front of this lodge was tower-like,and decorated with four bronze statues by Lisippos of Chios.     The silken banners which adorned the Imperial Lodge as protection againstthe sun were seemingle the augurs of the games,and after preperations were complated,the spectators would gather in the hippodrome at an early hour to watch the combat between the greens and the blues,taking sides in each combat,and fiercely supporting their champions,even to the extent of fighting amongst themselves.it is said that at this stage the emperor would retire to his place along a raised traverse untıl the uproar had died down.Eventually these games were forbidden,and the hippodrome was used only only on days of festival.     It ıs believed that during the Latin occupation of  İstanbul,the statues of the hippodrome were torn down,metal plaques melted down for re-use,and the finest works removed to the west.For example;four bronze horses now decorating the façade of St. Marco in Venice.By the time of the Turkish conquest of Constatntinopolis,(now İstanbul)the once grandeous hippodrome was largelly abondoned and now in ruins.                                               

THE OBELİSK    

The obelisks facing one another are still to be seen in Sultanahmet square.One of these,which is inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphics was brought to İstanbul from Egypt by the Emperor Theodsius,and set up in its present position in the hippodrome.It was given the name the colımn of Theodosius,and is 18.45m in height,24.87m including the base.It is constructedof Syenite porphyry,weighing 200 tons,which is supported on a marble plinth measuring 2.75*2.20m.     The plinth is decorated with bas-reliefs showing the life of theodosius.The northern face shows the Byzantine emperor Arcadius together with his wife,Eudocsia,seated in the Catizma of the hippodrome.The western face shows the Emperor Theodosius,enthroned,Arcadius and Honorius.     Before them are the defeated enemies of the empire.On the eastern face,the Emperor Theodosius is shown watching the games together with his two children,while on the southern face,the Emperor Theodosius is shown with his two sons on one side and on his left Valantinian 11,watching a chariot race.     This column was transported by sea,then,brought to its present site on a specially constructed road,and according to an inscription was set upin 32 days with the help of scaffolding.     The hieroglyphics are to the glory of the Pharoah Tutmosis 11 who had the obelisk set up in lower in Egypt in 1547 B.C. in the city Hierapolis.     İn brief the content of these hieroglyphics is as follows;on the eastern side,”Tutmosis 111,of the XV111 Dynasty,master of Upper and Lower Egypt,on the thirtyeth anniversary of his reign,has set up this obelisk for countles anniversaries to come”.     On the southern face,ıt reads;”With the strenghth and approval of thr god Horus,Tutmosis”.”Tutmosis ,the all-powerfull and all-justson of the sun,ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt,has penetrated as far as Mesopotamia,at the head of his armies,has shown his mıght on the Mediterranean,and has fought great battles”.     On the western face it is written,”Tutmosis,son of the sun,who bears the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt on his brow through the strength,might and wealth of Horos,after paying tribute to the god Amona buılt this work for his father,the god Amon-ra,that it may spread light like the rays of the sun to mankind”.     On the northern face,it reads “Tutmosis paid tribute to the god determined to enlarge the borders of his country as far as Mesopotamia”.                                             

THE WALLED OBELİSK    

 At the rear part of Sultanahmed Square is column set up by Constantine V11.The obelisk,of coarsely-hove blocks is 32m in height,and formerly was reputedly decorated with bronze plaques depicting the victories of Basil 1,the grandfather of Constantine(867-886)and was crowned with a sphere.     Unfortunately,however,these bronze artefacts were said to have been melted down by the Latins for use in the mint.                                     

SERPENTİNE COLUMNS    

This column,was brought to İstanbul by Constantine the Great from the temple of  Apollo at Delphı.It had been presented to the temple of Apollo by the 31Greek cities as atoken of gratitude for their defeat of the Persians in the battle of Platea,during the Medic wars.A golden vase was set on top the column,and the column was in the form of the three snakes inter wound,and was 8m in height including the three snake-heads whıch appear towards the top of the column at a height of 6.5m records show us that these snak-heads were in place at the beginning of the 16 th century after whıch they were broken off..One of the heads is to be found in the Archaeological Museum,İstanbul.                                 

CONSTANTİNE’S COLUMN    

 The column of Çemberlitaş,was situated in the old Forum of Constantine the Great.This column,whıck is 57m in height,was brought from the Apollo temple in Rome and set up here.Its believed that originally a statue of Apollo greeting the dawn surmounted it,whıch was replaced by Constantine the Great in 330 with a stutae of himself.The column was made of eight porphyry drums whıch were wreathed with laurel.The statue of Constantine surmounting it was later replaced with a statue of Theodosius,whıch was dislodged by lightening in 1081.The column was restored by Alexius 1 Comnenus and an inscription engraved on the capital with a gilded cross in place of the statue.Later,during the reign of Mustafa 11(1695-1704),after a severe fire damaged it,the sultan had a layer of stone added to the base and iron hoops fixed around it,taking its present name from this feature,-the “hooped column”-Çemberlitaş.                                    

 THE CHURCH OF ST. IRENE     

  Aya İrini,as it is now known or the Church of  Saint İrene is an important Byzantine church both from the point of view of architectural history,also it is the and second largest church after Ayasofya.     The church lies next to the walls of Topkapı and was used as an ammunition depot until Fethi Ahmet Paşa,Marshal of Tophane had it opened asa musum in 1850.İn 1869 it becamethe Museum of the Palace (Müze-i Hümayun).İn 1875,the works in this museum were trasferred to the Çinili Köşk of the Topkapı Palace.     The church,whıch was buılt by Constantine the Great who consecrated it to the “Divine Peace”was burnt down during the Nika revolt of 532.The emperor Justinian had the buılding rebuılt and enlarged.However,ıt was severelly damaged during the laater part of the 8^th  century.     The building is domed basilica,the dome measuring 15m in diameter and 35m in height.From the exterior the dome apears to be rather squat and irregular,whereas in factit is quıte spherical.Many of the 20 windows in the drum were later blocked up.From the exterior,the apse is triplefaçaded.It ıs semi-domed and has a gilded floor.During the period of Iconoclasm figurative mosaics were forbidden,only cruciform motives were allowed.     The buılding underwent restoratıon at the apse during that period.The dome was born by piers linking the main nave to the transepts.It has three tunnel-vaulted naves with galleries over the main piers.The stone work of the walls is tpycal.Today the buılding whıch is connected to The Ministry of Culture is not only an important architectural monumernt but it is also famous as the first building to be used as museum in Turkey.                                   

THE CHURCH OF ST. SOPHİA    

The earliest of İstanbul’s church was constructed during the reign of the Emperor Constantinus in basilical form,with a wooden roof.It was then the cathedral church of the city,and entitled Megela Ekklesia.From the Vth century onwards ıt became known as the church if Divine Wisdom-Hagia Sophia.     The orginal church was burnt said to have been during an uprising on 20^th June,404,was rebuılt during the reign of Theodosius 11,and re-opened on 10^th  October,415.The second church was destroyed by fire during the Nika uprising in 532,and was completely restored with the support of the Empress Theodora,wife of Justinianus after that uprising had been suppressed.The emperor commissioned the architects Anthemios of Trallesand Isidor of Miletus to rebuıld it,and according to the account of the Byzantine historian Prokopius,the emperor ordered a building of great stature and magnificence,using his imperial authority to ensure that nothing was lacking in the buılding of it.Eight columns of porphyry were bought from the Diana Temple at Ephesus.Other marbles were obtained from classical sites and from some of the finest marble quarries of the Byzantine world.A thousand masons and ten thousand apprentices worked on the buılding,the aim being to finish it as soon as possible.The work began in 532 A.D. was completed in five years,11 mounths and 10 days,and the church was consecrated on 27^th December,537 by the Emperor Justinianus.     The grand piers over the underground cisterns on the site were,to some extent,a measure againist eartquake damage,but did not prevent this monumental structure from suffering some damage during earthquakes in 533,557 and 559.We learn that it was restored in 562 by the architect Isıdoros,nephew of the earlier architect of the same name,who raised the previously depressed dome by some 6.25m. Further support for the major piers was provided by buttresses.     In the 9^th century,during the reigns of the emperors Thephilos and Mıkheal 111,the bronze doors were installed.In 869 and 889,the church was damaged by earthquake,and was reopened after extensive repair on 13^th May,994.Mosaics were added during the reign of the Emperor Basileios 11.During the Latin invasion of 1204.St.Sophia was raided and stripped of ıts finest ornaments,including the doors,whıch were mistakenly believed to be gold.The buılding was greatlydamaged during this invasion.Four major buttresses were added to be buıldıng in 1317,but ıt underwent considerable damage later in the earthquake of 1346,to be restored once again in 1354 by the architect G.Prella.     Mehmet the Conqueror had the church reestored once again after the conquest of İstanbul,and converted ıt into a mosque.Among the many restorations and additions to this,the largest curch of the Byzantine era,one of the most extensive was the addition of buttress walls on the north and south façades in 1317 by Adronikos 11.The four minarets,one on each corner of the buılding were added at various times during the Ottoman period,the southeastern minaret dating from the reign of Mehmed 11,the nourtheastern minaret to Beyazid-11 and the two minarets on the western façade to the period of Selim 11.The last restoration,carried out during the Ottoman period,the southeastern minaret from the reign of Mehmed 11,the nourtheastren minaret to Beyazid 11 and the two minarets on the western façade to the period of Selim 11.The last restoration,carried out during the Ottoman period coincides with the reign of Abdülmecid.The church was converted into a museum during the recent Republican period,by order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk,and reopened on Ist February,1935.     The buılding covers an area of 100*70m.,and the plan consists of a wide central nave flanked by two smaller naves,an apsis,an inner and outer narthex and a central dome up to 55.6m in height.Owing to restorations carried out at various periods,this dome is no longer entirely circular but has,gradually become elliptical.The forty lobes of the dome,separated by brick ribs,are pierced by oculi.In the centre of the dome are inscribed verses from the Koranic text-the Sure-i Nur,executed by the Ottoman calligrapher Kazakasker Mustafa Izzet Efendi.     The interior of the church is of extreme importance to art historians,being finely decorated with a number of important mosaics and artefacts from various periods.According to occounts of the late classical period,ıt was decorated with fine mosaics of gold,silver,glass,stone,marble,limestone,granite and terra cotta tesserae.     Some of the more important mosaics are as follows:Entering the main portal to the inner narthex,one sees,over the portal,the figure of the Madonna holding the Christ chıld,flanked by constantine the Great on her right,presenting a model of the city of Constantinopole to her,and on her left,the Emperor Justinianus presenting a model of the church.This dates from the last quarter of the 10^th century and the reign of the Emperor Basil 11.The cross-vaulted portico to the inner narthex is decorated with gold mosacs of the Justinianus period.These are the orginal non-figurative mosaics of  St. Sophia,whıch,being non-figuretive,released from damage during the Iconoclastic period.      The Empero’s Gate,on the south-western façade of the church is surmounted by a mosaic showing Christ enthroned on a semircircular encrusted throne,holding a book.The medallion to the right of this contains a bust portrait of the Madonna,and to the left,a bust of Gabriel.The figure prostrating himself  before Christ is thought to be the Emperor Leo,and the mosaicis thought to date to the 10^th century A.D.     The semi-dome of the apse contains a mosaic of the Madonna enthroned,holding the Christ chıld,dating to the 9^th century.It is thought to be earliest figurative mosaic on the Posticonoclastic period the church,To the right of the drumstands the white-robed figure of Gabriel,and to the left,nowadays considerably damaged figure of the archangel Micheal.Portraits of the saints once decorated the semi-circular arched niches below the northearn tympanum,only three of this have survived.     On the western wall,contained in the niches,are portraits of the partiarches of the eastern church,the İstanbul patriarches,Saint Ignatus and loannes Kryostomos in thre first and central niche,and the figure of  Saint Ignatus Theophoros,patriarch of Antakya (Antioch)in the fifth niche.     These figures are robed in mantles bearing cruciform motifs on the collar and skırt,and hold the bible in their hands.The names of the figures are written beside them in Greek.These mosaics date from the end of the 9^th century to the beginning of the 10^th century.The four pendentives of the dome are decorated with the figures of cherubim or seraphim.Those on the eastern side of the church  are orginal,whıle the western figures were restored in fresco in 1847 by Fossati.     Access to the galeries of the church is obtained via a stone-paved ramp.The gallery decorated with green columns directly opposite the apsis was used by the empress and her retinue during ceremonies.     Entering the southern gallery from here one passes through a pseudo-wooden marble door,now named the gate of heaven and hell.The right-hand  side,decorated with floral motifs representing  heaven;the left-hand side,undecorated,represenrting hell.     Passing through this door one enters the chamber set aside for the meetings of the consuls,decorated with the Deesis mosaic,one of the most famous mosaics in the world.It portrays Christ flanked by the Virgin and John the Baptist.This extremely expressive mosaic dates to the 12^th century.In the gallery to the southeast of the Church is to be found the Comnenos mosaic,in which the enthroned Madonna and chıld enthroned are flanked on the left by the Emperor loannes Comnenos 11 holding a pouch of money and on the right by the Empress Irene,a Hungarian princess.     The figure of the Madonna is surmounted by a monogram describing her as the mother of God,while the names of the other figures are inscribed next to them in Greek.In one corner one can also sees the mosaic portraying the sons of the Emperor loannes (John)Comnenos 11,and his coruler Alexius Comnenos.The latter is shown in a frontal pose,in elaborate gown and crown,and holds a sceptre in his raised right hand.On the nothern wall of the emperor’s hall,in the southern gallery is to be found the Zoe mosaic.The empress stands to the right of the enthroned Christ with her thırd husband,the Emperor Constantine Monomachos IX on his left.The mosaic dates to the 11^th century A.D.     The mosaic of the Emperor Alexander can be seen on the southwestern end of the central hall on the northern gellery.Alexander,the thırd son of Basil 1,who ruled for 13 months in 912,shown standing,facing forward,elaborately dressed in ceremonial robes and crown.In his keft hand he holds an orb,and in his right hand a pouch.His name and titles are inscribed in two medallions on either side of his head.Dating to the Xth century AD,thıs mosaic is in reasonable good condition.After seeing these extremely important mosaics,we will have completed our tour of the St. Sophia Church,except for the grounds where one may see the monumental fountain buılt by the Ottoman Sultan Mahmut1.                  

CHORA MONASTERY (KARİYE MUSEUM)    

The buılding known todayas the Kariye Museum was the Monastery of Chora whıch dates from the Byzantine age.It was buılt outside the city walls of Istanbul in the district of Chora,and called”Monits Choros”-or simply “Chora”.The monastery was buılt by Theodorus in 534,during the reign of Justinianus but later suffered considerable eartquake damage.In the 12^th century ıt was rebuılt by order of Maria Dukaina,the mother-in law of Emperor Alexi Commenos and was dedicated to Christ.By the 14^th century the buılding,Which had greatly deteriorated,was completely restored and adorned with mosaics by Logothere Theodore Methochite the Great,he spent his entire fortune for thıs purpose.After Mehmed the Conqueror captured Istanbul,the buılding remained as a church.But later Hadim Ali Paşa,the Grand Vizier of Beyazıt 11,converted it into a mosque,and added a minaret in 1511.A religious school (medrese)was also buılt next to the mosque,whıch,from that time on known as “Kariye”.During the Republıcan period the monastery was turned into a museum and its mosaics were uncovered by the American Instite of Byzantine Research.In addition the area of Kariye was recently restored very succesfully,by the Turkısh Touring and Automobile Club and is now open to visitors.The buılding ,with dimensions 20m*28*50m, has an inner and outher narthex on the western  side,a cemetery chapel on the south and a gallery on the north.The floor and the inner narthex are covered with marble,creating  a very striking effect.The buıldıng  has a large central dome and five cupolas surrounding it.Let us now take a look at the mosaics,which have preserved their beauty since the 14^th century:Over the inner wall of the outher narthex portal is a mosaic depicting the Madonna and Chıld.Next to thıs,a large mosaic,above the portal to the inner narthex features Christ the “Pantocrator”.On eiter side of his hesd are inscribed the letters whıch make up his emblem.Following the museum plan,mosaic No.1 ıs on the northern wall to the left of the portal and shows the Holy Famıly going to Jeruselam to attend the feast of the Passover.Mosaic No.2 features the Holy Famıly returnıng to Nazareth from Egypt.St. Joseph is bearing Jesus on his shoulders.To the left of the mosaic St. Joseph is depicted being told to return to Nazareth in his deam.In mosaıc No. 3 an angel is depicted informing St. Joseph that Chrıst is about to be born,and we observe Mary in conversation with Elizabeth ansd the Holy Famıly returnıng to Bethlehem.The 4^th mosaic,on the vault,shows figures of the saints.No.5 features the Census being carried out under Cyrenius supervision,and mosaic No.6 shows the bith of Christ.Angels and chıldren attend the event.In the lower left hand part of the mosaic woman are washing  Jesus Chrıst whıle Joseph is standing  to the right.Above the door,the 7^th mosaic features the miracle of Christ transforming  water into wine and multıplying loaves of bread.The frescoes No.8 on the wall above the portal are of a later date.In the second part of the vault is depicted the Priestess Irene Paleolilina and members of the imperial dynasty.The centre of the vault features mother Mary and Christ accompained by the Saints.Vault C depicts the wise men before King Herod.     In section No.9,the Blessed Elizabeth is fleeing from the soldiers with St.John in her arms.No.10 features Kıng Herod oordering the masacre of all new-born babies.No.11 depicts the Masacre.Let us now go to the western part of the vault and see mosaic No.12 on the plan,whıch features Jesus Christ and the Samaritian woman.     Representations of various saints are to be seen on the western part of the vault.On the eastern wall of the outher narthex,marked “D” in the plan,is a large scale mosaic of the Mdonna believed to have been whıch was destroyed during the Byzantine period.We can procced to the inner narthex,that northern part bears mosaics depicting the life of the Virgin.The one shown as No.13 features St.Joachim in the Desert,Lamenting his childless state.No.14 decipts the angel’s Annunciation 7,the birth of Mary.No.15 shows the couple emrecing with delight.No.16 features Mary’s birth while No.17 shows the first steps of Mary,as a chıld.In Panel No.18 on the opposite wall,Mary is buying wool for the cover of the Tabernacle,No.19 shows the chief priest praying in front of the scepters deposited in the temple before selecting Mary’s future husband.No.20 features Joseph’s sceptre from whıch leaves are sprouting,an indication that he is the prospective husband.The mosaic No.21 shows Joseph taking Mary to his house No.22 decipts the farewell scene between Joseph and Mary.No.23 shows the Annunciatation within a medallion.On the nothern dome,No.24,are depicted Mary and her ancestors,whıle on the vaults (No.25)are:the tutoring of Mary by the Heigh Priest,the procession of virgins,Mary’s presentation to the temple,and the Saints.Mosaic No.26 above the portal to the church properly faetures the presentation of a model of  the Church to Christ by Theodore Metochites,the Patron of  the church.No 27 to the right of the door shows St.Peter and No.28 to the left,St.Paul.Panel No.29 at the left depicts Christ and the Virgin.Below right is Maria Paleologina,Daughter of Emperor Mıcheal VII and member of a religious order.On the same level towards the left is Isaac Comnenus.     The southern dome,No.30,features the line of Christ,and the mosaics at the end wall(No.31)show Christ’miracles and the saints.Let us now enter the main church.Mosaic No.32 above the inner portal depicts the death of the Virgin.     Opposite No.33 on the right hand side,ıs the Madonna bearing the the chıld Jesus.On the left No 35 features Christ bearing an open bokk,the page bears the inscription “let all those who suffer come to me”.The first fresco(No.35)on the semi-dome of the side gallery is the Anastasis fresco.Bekow this are six saints,and on the soffit of the arch Gabriel.The vaults (No.37)above the altar feature the “last judgement”,belove whıch Hell is depicted on the left and Heaven on the right.     The frescoes shown as No38 feature Christ and the Virgin,and above them are representations of the miracles of Christ,Following these (No.39) a froup of four figures,including the Nun Eugenie and the Priest Macarius.Fresco No.40 shows the Saints,the inscription of Tormikes,saints again,a figure bearing a candlestick,and the Wise-Men in worship.     Opposite,No.41 features the saints,the raising of Isreal,and on the dome the house of Mary.On the pendentives are depicted poets and the authors of the Biible.Other churches presently open to the public as museums are:the old Church of St.C. Studius whıch is now called “Imrahor”,and the Church of St.Mary Pammakaristos whıch is presently known as the “Fethiye Museum”.The latter was been converted into a mosque in 1587 during the reign of Murad III.Its narthex whıch bears the mosaics is now open as a museum.     The Jesus mosaic on its ceiling has remained intact to thıs date.The Church of St.Irene in the first court of  Topkapı Palace was buılt by Justinianus adjacent to Haghia Sophıa.It is the second largest church in İstanbul of the period.At present it is being used a museum.                          

THE İSTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM     

 The  İstanbul Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums of its kind in the world.Founded as a museum during the Ottoman period,then the imperial museum,the collection includes a number of findings from various parts of the Ottoman empire,including Mesopotamia,and in particular such monuments as the Alexander’s Tomb,the Tomb of the weeping maidens and the Lycian Tomb found at Sayda in Syria in 1891.     Orginally the museum collection was exhibited in the Çinili Pavilion,an annex of the Topkapı Museum now in use as the museum of faience and ceramics and dating to the period of Mehmed II.But as the collection grew,the present buıldıng was erected between 1892-1908,to which a later annex has been added in recent years.The late 19^th century museum buılding was inspired in style by the tomb of the weeping maidens.     The museum collection include up to 60 thousand archaeological findings of various kinds,nearly 500 thousand coins and medallions and nearly 75 thousand cunciform inscription tablets.It is among the greates collections in the world.The collection can be seen in three separate sections.In the Museum of the Ancient Naer East,whıch stands opposite the main buılding,in the Çinili Pavilion.On entering the Museum of the Ancient Near East,the first all houses Egyptian artefacts,tombs and mummies among them.In halls III and IV,one may see work from Mesopotamia,including findings from Halef,Nineva the periods of Old Sumerian,classical and New Sumerian and the Gudea statues.In the section containing works of the Assyrian period,one can see the statues of Puzur Ishtar,governor of Mari.His son and Salmanasar III,and reliefs of winged spirits from the walls of the palace of king Tiglat Pleser at Nemrut. ıts from the walls of the palace of king Tiglat Pleser at Nemrut.     In other parts of the museum are displayed seals and hieoglyphic tablets from Mesopotamia and works of the Urartu and Phrygian periods.The Hittite period,(dating from 2000-1200 B.C)ın Anatolia,is well represented,and the works on display includes those of the Hittite İmperial period,and of the later Hittite city states,(dateing after 1200B.B.C.)Among the most notable works of the period to be seen are vessels of various kinds,bronze axes and the hieroglyphic tablet inscribed with the text of the famaous”Kadesh Treaty”.     Late Hittite works of note include the Zincirli reliefs,the Maraş findings and the famaous Babylonian reliefs,decorated with bull dragon and lion figures in brickwork,whıch removed from the walls of the ceremonial way and the Ishtar gate at Babylon.Classical section of the İstanbul Archaeological Museum is taking place among noted museums of the world,upon completion of the new assitional buılding in 1992 has rearranged and opened to visitors.      Entrance with triangular frontal supported by four pillars is reached by white marble stairs.These stairs lesd to hall way where the statue of Gos Bes of Roman Period takes place.In the galleries on both sides of this hall way connected to each other with halls the master pieces of the world are being exhibited.      First of all,let us visit the halls on the right hand side where statues of ancient times take place.Works of the first gallery the works of Anatolia under sovereignity of Persians between 546-333B.C. And in the third gallery,the Attic grave stelae and reliefs of 6-5 century B.C take place.In the following gallery,works of Hellenistic Period (330-30 B.C)adorn the hall.      In this hall,beatiful heads and a statue of Alexander who initiated the period take place.One of the heads was found in Pergamon and draws attention with its hairs in form of a lion's mane.Based on the portrait of Alexander the Great made by Lysippos in IV th century B.C.,this type of hair is peculiar to Alexander.This particular portrait a work whıch was made in is illustrated with a pelerine thrown over the short clothing.     At the right hand side of the door the statue of Apollo,Goddess heads,statue of a half naked Nymphe can be witnessed.On the left hand side,the statue whıch belongs to a woman named Balbia,of 1^st century B.C. statue of Athena,woman'sstatue and various statues of woman and men take place.   On the left side of the passage way(Carian)leading to the other hall,a statue of a woman found at Tralles and used as a pillar attracts the attentions.As the examples encountered at the monument of Nereids in Xanthos near Fethiye and at the monument of Limyra near Finike,these Pergamon sculpture shop in 2^nd century B.C. Again,in this hall Marsyas statue,the Roman period copy of the work of 3^rd century B.C. can be seen.As it is known God Apollo punished Marsyas by flaying his skin,for entering in a musical contest with him.     This is the statue which illustrates Marsyas hung on a tree for punishment.Also the statue of Zeus and a huge divine statue which most possibly belongs to Attalos 11,the King of Pergamon of 2^nd century B.C.found at the Temple of Hera of Pergamon are most remarkable ones.     In the fifth gallery the statues found in Magnesia of Meander(Menderes River)and Tralles(Aydın)are being exhibited.Right across the hall from the door the Statue of famous Ephebos(young athlete)takes place.     This statue which was found in Tralles and belongs to the Early Roman Empire Period depicts a chıld athlete of about twelve years old while resting,tired of sportive activities he had gone through.The statue in Western Anatolia.The  Sculptors here when Attolos 111,King of Pergamon left his territory to Rome in 133 B.C. migrated to Aphrodisias the capital of Caria region and here created marvellous works out of the marbles obtained from the rich marble quarries.These statues of Aphrodisias sculptor school where exported to Greece and Rome.On the walls of this hall,take place the reliefs illustrating the war between the Gods and Giants.Today,the works obtained in excavations in Aphrodisias are being displayed in the local museum.     Works found in Ephesos can be seen in the center of this hall.On the floor,statue of Oceanus,the God of Rivers,next to it statues have been used in place of pillars in various locations.      From here,it is proceded to a hall where examples of Roman sculpture art are displayed.Right in the center poetess Sapho's head made in Roman Period is located,on the right,statues of Aphrodite and Cybele,on the wall the relief made in the name of Euripides author of Tragedia,reliefs of Mousa playing guitar take place.To the left of the hall are the examples depiciting the Roman art of portrait.Here,the busts of Augustus,Tiberius and Claudius of Roman emperors and the statues of Neron and Hadrianus take place.In addition,the statue and the bust of Marcus Aurelianus,the busts of Empress Faustina and other men and woman busts adorn the hall.    On the right hand side of Aphrodisias Hall named after Prof.Kenan Erim who made excavations for a long time at Aphrodisias and died in 1990,Statues of Roman judges and the statue of a woman are being exhibited.Aphrodisias as near Karacasu county in the province of Aydın the statue of Polemaenus,the proconsul(Governor)of Asia found in Celsus Library of Ephesos take place.On the left hand side of the hall,the works found in Miletos and on the opposite wall the statues found in the Faustina Bath are exhibited.These are the musical muse playing flute,statue of Melpomene and the God Apollo playing guıtar.In the next hall,works of Roman Empire Period are seen.Nwxt to the works found in Anatolia,also,the works found within the boundaries of Ottoman territory of those days are exhibited.Heads of Poseidon,Artemis,Statues of Zeus and Tykhe,the Goddess of good luck are among those works adorning this hall.    In the gallery on the left hand side of the entrance leading to the museum of sarcophagi beatiful one from another are being exhibited.Right across from them,is sarcophagus of King Tabnit of Sidon made out of black stone.From the inscription thereon,it is decided that the sarcophagus belongs to General Peneftah lived in time of 26^th family in Egypt and used for King Tabnit of Sayda for the second time.On both sides of this sarcophagus,Egyptian and Greek type sarcophagi take place,magnificent Lycian sarcophagus behindthem dates back to 5^th century B.C. and was found in Necropolis of King of Sidon.    This sarcophagus called Lycian sargophagus due to its resemblance to the sarcophagi of Lycian region was found at Sidon by Osman Hamdi in 1877 and brought here.On one side of it a lion hunt and two carriage each drawn by four horses,and on the other side a boar hunt are illustrated.On narrow sides the fight of Kentoros and Lapith and a scene of fight between the Kentoros over a deer can be seen.Behind this sarcophagus which is a work of a Lycian sculptor takes place a satrap's sarcophagus again brought from Sidon.On this work which belongs to the later part of 5^th century B.C.,the life of a governor general of Persia called Satrap is illustrated.After an intervening section we arrive a hall where Alexander's sarcophagus is.This sarcophagus with is splendor comes in sight in the center after going by three other.     This sarcophagus made out of white marble and bears fine reliefs in fact does not belong to Alexander,but it is called by this name due to his far and hunt scenes thereon.This sarcophagus with an 2.12m height,3.18m height and 1.67m width shows;Alexander's battle with Greeks as the subject for the illustrations on narrow surfaces thereon.   One at the left end is the illustration of Alexander's.On the other there are the scenes of lion and deer hunts.The wounded lion in the center of hunting scene is illustrated in the act of biling.Also the cavalier to the left on the lion is Alexander himself on his head,he wears a hand having the royal symbol.The sarcophagus whıch belongs to 4^th century B.C. is shaped like a temple and displays a delicate stone labor whıch arouses administration with its painted and hıgh reliefs.      Behınd this sarcophagus takes place the sarcophagus of Weeping Woman.On this sarcophagus made for a Sidonian in 350 B.C. there are eighteen sad woman.They are separately illustrated to get rid of monotony.On the top cover two identical funeral processions are illustrated.In this department,there are the halls of the museum which shall be organized.On the upper floor of the newly opened part of the museum,the Anatolian Civilizations,Through Ages Exhibition is on display.On the left side of the hall the works of Troy can be seen.      City of Troy burned down and rebuilt nine times is at a distance of 30 km from Çanakkale.This city also has been inhabited from 3500 to 300 B.C. without interruption.There fore it is possible to fallw the cultures of periods parading one after another.      First excavation in Troy which occupies an important place in history for reasons of being the first site of excavation in Anatolia,constituting subject for Epic Poems of Homeros,and giving a firm chronology,was made by Schlirmann in 1870.Story of excavations and colorful personality of Schliemann made Troy so much more important.After him Dörpfeld continued the excavations.Later,starting in 1932 American Belegen carried out this job,works being exhibited are the ones found during the excavations made by Schliemann and Dörpfeld.                                           

OTTOMAN    PERİOD    

 İn spite of the resistance for all those years,following a conquer of 54 days,Sultan Mehmet,the Conqueror invaded Byzance on 29^th May 1453.As the Emperor Constantinos XI died in panic,the Turks got hold of the city within two hours.The panic throughout the city calmed down in three days and the Sultan ordered the submission of the ones who escaped and were hidden.He guaranteed the public would keep living as the way they used to in terms of their religious and traditional practices.He also asked someone to be elected for the vacant Bishop position.

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