Turkey and Greece Study Abroad 2011

Sean Myers

Sultan Ahmed Mosque

Built between 1609and 1616 Popular name “Blue Mosque”

due to the blue tiles on the inside

It is one of two Mosques in Turkey with six minarets

The Mosque is oriented 39 degrees East of South, orienting it towards Meca

Incorporates both Byzantine and Ottoman architecture

The courtyard is about the same size as the Mosque

Hagia Sophia

Islamic Influence

Mosque from 1453 - 1931

Covered faces of angels plastered over mosaics and added geometric designs

Added minarets and washing station on the exterior

Added Mihrab and Minbar to the interior

Christian Beginnings

Christian church from 360 – 1453

Originally dedicated to the logos, which was celebrated on the 25 of December

Contained a large collection of Holy Relics

Topkapi Palace The home of the

Ottoman Sultans from 1465-1856

Houses some of the Ottoman treasures and jewelry

Also on display are Holy relics including Muhammad’s robe, sword and lots of beard hair

Sardis

Capital of ancient Kingdom of Lydia

One of the Seven churches of Asia

So far excavations have uncovered a gymnasium, a large synagogue, and a Temple to Artemis

Hierapolis Founded as a thermal spa in

the 2nd century BCE, minerals were used to heal all sorts of aliments including blindness

Christian church founded while Paul was in Ephesus

Philip spent the last years of his life and was crucified here

4th century CE Christians filled the Plutonium with stones suggesting that Christianity had become the prominent religion

Roman baths were converted into Christian Basilica

Laodicea Originally called Diospolis (City

of Zeus) Located on a major trade route One of the seven Asian

Churches, also mentioned in the book of Colossians

On site are some very well preserved/excavated ruins including a central road and a couple theaters

Colossae Located near the great road

that ran from Ephesus to the Euphrates, has never been excavated

Paul wrote a letter to the city but never visited

Epaphras was the founder of the Colossian church

Ephesus One of twelve cities in the Ionian

League, second larges city in the Roman Empire

Famed for the Temple of Artemis (one of the seven Ancient Wonders of the World)

Also one of the seven churches of Asia

Ruins include a massive theater, a gorgeous library, and a hospital

Pergamum One of the seven

Churches of Asia The upper city was built

between the 4th and 3rd cent. BCE this contained a temple to Athena and palace quarters

A 10 thousand person theater, a library, and a temple to Zeus were added the 2nd cent.

Aesclepion Healing center

located not far from Pergamum (to the West)

Had a shrine built to Asklepios (god of healing)

Alexandria Troas

About 1,000 acres in size and largely unexcavated

Visited by Paul during his 2nd journey where he received a vision to go the Europe

Also during Paul’s 3rd journey, Eutychus fell from a window while Paul was preaching and Paul revived him

Troy Well known for it’s role

in the Trojan War and the epic poems of the Iliad and the Odyssey

There were nine reconstructions all on top of the previous

Was inhabited for 3,000+ years and is still under excavation today, lead by a German team

Philippi

Site of Lydia’s baptism first visited by Paul in 50 CE,

then later in 57 and 62 First church 343 CE,

described as a small prayer house

Seven churches were constructed between mid-4th and 6th century after Paul’s letter to the Philippians

Thessaloniki Second largest city in Greece Hagios Demetrious is the largest

basilica in Greece built in the 4th century

Has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites in all of Greece including the Hagios Demetrious, Hagia Sophia of Thessaloniki, Rotunda of Saint George, Church of the Acheiropoietos, and the Church of Panagia Chalkeon

Delphi Home to the Delphic Oracle,

the most important oracle of the Greek world

Also a major worship site of Apollo

Home of the Pythian Games The Greek city-states built

treasuries to commemorate victories

Regarded as the center of the world, also the navel of earth

Eleusis Place of the Eleusinian

Mysteries, not much is known about the cult activity that took place

The central myth is about Demeter who is looking for her daughter who was stolen by Hades

The birth place of Aeschylusa great tragedian of antiquity

Corinth Visited by Paul in 52 Here Paul met Priscilla

and Aquila Capital of Achaia

province Largest and most

influential city in southern Greece

Considered a wicked city by Paul

Mycenae Home of the “Lion’s

Gate” Agamemnon’s tomb is

located near by Religion was probably

polytheistic, actively syncretistic, being able to add deities with ease

Athens

Capital of Greece and the largest city in Greece

One of the world’s oldest cities

Home to Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum

Main archeological world center hosting 17 Foreign Archeological Institutions and numerous National Institutions

Cape Sounion Site of a Temple of

Poseidon The ruins are signed

by Lord Byron After beating Xerxes

in the navel Battle at Salamis the Athenians placed a ship at Sounion to honor Poseidon