 | Byzantine Empire Hippodrome of Constantinople - Sultanahmet The Great Hippodrome of the Byzantine Empire. The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydani in the Turkish city of Istanbul, with only a few fragments of the original structure surviving. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos ('ιππος), horse, and dromos (δρομος), path or way. Horse racing and chariot racing were popular pastimes in the ancient world and hippodromes were common features of Greek cities in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras. History and use Although the Hippodrome is usually associated with Constantinople's days of glory as an imperial capital, it actually predates that era. The first Hippdrome was built when the city was called Byzantium (Byzantion in Greek), and was a provincial town of moderate importance. In 203 the Emperor Septimius Severus rebuilt the city and expanded its walls, endowing it with a hippodrome, an arena for chariot races and other entertainments. In 324, the Emperor Constantine the Great decided to move the seat of the government from Rome to Byzantium, which he renamed Nova Roma (New Rome). This name failed to impress and the city soon became known as Constantinople, the City of Constantine. Constantine greatly enlarged the city, and one of his major undertakings was the renovation of the Hippodrome. It is estimated that the Hippodrome of Constantine was about 150 metres long and 130 metres wide. Its stands were capable of holding 100,000 spectators. The race-track at the Hippodrome was U-shaped, and the Emperor's box, with four bronze statues of horses on its roof, was located at the eastern end of the track. These horses, which were cast in the 5th century BC and brought from Greece, were looted during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and installed on the façade of St Mark's Basilica in Venice. The track was lined with other bronze statues of famous horses and chariot drivers, none of which survive. Throughout the Byzantine period, the Hippodrome was the centre of the city's social life. Huge amounts were bet on chariot races, and the whole city was divided between fans of the Blue (Venetii) and Green (Prasinoi) chariot racing teams. The two other racing teams, the Reds (Rousioi) and the Whites (Leukoi), gradually weakened and were absorbed by the two major factions. Frequently rivalry between Blues and Greens became mingled with political or religious factions, and riots which sometimes amounted to civil wars broke out in the city between them. The most severe of these was the Nika riots of 532, in which 30 000 people were said to have been killed. Constantinople never really recovered from its sack during the Fourth Crusade and even though the Byzantine Empire survived until 1453, the Hippodrome was not rebuilt and did not regain its former glory. The Ottoman Turks, who captured the city in 1453 and made it the capital of the Ottoman Empire, were not interested in racing and the Hippodrome was gradually forgotten, although the site was never actually built over. |
 | KS #80 THE KINGS of SICILY http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_of_Sicily - arrival of the first Normans in Italy appears in primary chronicles without reference to any prior Norman presence. This [1] Norman pilgrims to the shrine of story has been called the "Gargano tradition." Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano met the Lombard Melus of Bari there and were convinced to join him in an attack on the Byzantine government of Apulia. This occurred in 1016. As with the Salerno tradition, there are two primary sources for the Gargano story: the Gesta Roberti Wiscardi of William of Apulia, dated 10881110, and the Chronica Map of Italy on th e eve of th e arrival of th e Norman s. Th e area th ey con quered in cludes all th e territory south of th e Holy Roman Empire (th e bold lin e) an d Sicily. Even th e south ern region s of Latium (th e Papal States) an d th e Abruzzi (th e Duch y of Spoleto). |
 | ByzntmPllg #3 Byzantium under the Palaiologoi "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Byzantium_under_the_Palaiologoi" - ασιλευόντων King of Kings, Ruling over T hose who Rule The Byzantine Empire ca. 1265 Capital Lan guage(s) Constan tinople Greek recognized the Emperor as their lord. Nonetheless, Byzantine diplomacy coupled with the adroit exploitation of internal divisions and external threats among their enemies, and above all the invasion of Anatolia by Timur, allowed Byzantium to survive until 1453. The last remnants of the Byzantine Empire, the Despotate of Morea and the Empire of Trebizond, fell shortly afterwards. Government Emperor - 12611282 - 14481453 Histor y - Recapture of Constantinople from the Latins - Fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans Absolute monarchy Michael VIII Constantine X I July 25, 1261 |
 | Kosovo. Illyrian-Albanian churches. January 2008 Illyrian-Albanian churches of the Byzantine-Kosovar style Archbishop Teodosije: more false history of Kosovo-Metohija 25 January 2008. It is with great worry and astonishment that we have read the news of the representation of tourist offer of Kosmet at recently held fair in Ohrid, where Serb sanctities were presented as some Ilirian-Albanian churches of the Byzantine-Kosovar style, stated representative of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Group for Renovation of Serb cultural heritage in Kosmet, archbishop Teodosije. He pointed that it was not the first time that the Kosmet Government is propagating the false history of the Province, which totally negates the Serb spiritual and cultural legacy. According to him, the stance of Albanian authorities in Kosmet has not changed in spite of declarative statements about the readiness to respect the Serb heritage, of which the provincial government was formally bound during last year's negotiations in Vienna. Attempts to forever sever the most important part of Serb medieval cultural legacy from its people and the Orthodox Church must be stopped at any price, emphasized Teodosije. Source (Radio Serbia): http://glassrbije.org/E/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1206&Itemid=26 "Artemije: scandalous behavior of Albanian president": http://glassrbije.org/E/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1237&Itemid=26 "Muslim separatists erase Kosovo Serb heritage": http://www.serbianna.com/news/2008/01153.shtml The "Official webportal of Tourism in Kosovo" presenting false history: http://www.visitkosova.org/english/culturalheritage.htm Serbian Orthodox Church (in Serbian): http://www.spc.yu/sr/kosovske_vlasti_nastavljaju_sa_agresivnim_svojatanjem_srpske_duhovne_i_kulturne_bastine_na_kosovu_i_ Tags: Kosovo Metohija KosMet Serbia Heart Spiritual Cultural Serbian Orthodox Church Albanian Illyrian Illyria Kosovan Byzantine History Falsification Tourism Lies Propaganda Manipulation Myth |
 | BBE pt. 8 - Xmass 2008, VOTE FOR WORLD PEACE!!! TO EVERY NATION OF THE WORLD: This Christmass of 2008, vote for World's Peace regardless of what your government might say!! I name this effort Pax Terris (Peace made by Earth), so that no country or alliance may take the credit for it. All governments say they have to abide by their peoples' wishes, so let's flex the muscle of unity-for-humanity and tell them what we really want. FORBIDDEN HISTORY #8 The wars between Moslems and Byzantines ceased in 850 AD, but the tensions stayed for many years to follow. And in spite of hundreds of miles between Baghdad and southernmost province of Byzantine, rescue mission was formed, the one to inspire every Indian between 11th and 14th century to enter Europe from Middle East (in efect becoming a Romani) to say that they're from Egypt! One has to accept few facts: any military action that deep into enemy's territory would be doomed to not only fail, but also start another series of battles and a war; no other aim was served but that of transferring Paterans to Byzantine Empire - therefore, it was a rescue mission. How, and who did it? The only gnostic movement with organization and audacity necessary in Byzantine were Paulicians, and even though they were militant (and almost a state within a state) warring with Khalif of Baghdad was not the smartest thing one could've do in their spare time. The only possible way Paulicians could've pulled it off was to pose as slave traders and free their gnostic brethren through either purchase or covert military action where Paterans were kept, and then slowly take "new slaves" in caravan into Byzantine Empire. From there, they split Paterans into two groups: one on the mainland Greece and one into Armenia, their religious strongholds at the time. From Greece, they shipped them to Bosna (no slavery in Bosna), and from Armenia they sold them to Serbia and Croatia, only to shortly thereafter unite in Bosna and become what they weren't allowed in Egypt: Bogumils. Operation "Runaway Slave" complete! he he he continued in BBE part 9 |
 | Christian Persecution : Converts to Christianity face Jail Charged under article 301 of the Turkish penal code, for allegedly insulting Turkishness and insighting hate while quote "attempting to convert fellow Turks to Christianity." Bear this in mind when you consider spending your summer holiday in Turkey. Turkey was invaded centuries ago by Muslims..Its previous name was Byzantine..a Christian nation. The building of Churches is not allowed by the Turkish government and Christians are barred from becoming police officers, working in local government..running for office, basically anything you would expect, they are persecuted by law. less than 100 years ago the Muslims butchered the Christian population 1.5 million of the native Armenian Christians..at the time they made up 20% of the population. |
 | Despotism (1946) Encyclopedia Brittanica Films This film is from 1946. A great video. See where we are on the scale of Democracy vs. Despotism. Post your answer below for discussion. Here is the definition of Despotism from Wikki: Despotism is a form of government by a single authority, either an individual or tightly knit group, which rules with absolute political power. In its classical form, a despotism is a state where one single More.. person, called a Despot, wields all the power and authority, and everyone else is considered his slave. This form of despotism was the first known form of statehood and civilization; the Pharaoh of Egypt is a hallmark of a classical Despot. The term now implies tyrannical rule. However, in enlightened absolutism (also known as benevolent or enlightened despotism), which came to prominence in 18th century Europe, absolute monarchs used their authority to institute a number of reforms in the political systems and societies of their countries. This movement was probably largely triggered by the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment. Even though the word has a pejorative meaning nowadays, it was once a legitimate title of office in the Byzantine Empire. Just as the word "Byzantine" is often used in a pejorative way (for specific reasons by certain Enlightenment authors wishing to express disapproval of that period in history), the word "Despot" was equally turned around for negative meaning. In fact, "Despot" was an Imperial title, first used under Manuel I Komnenos (1143?1180) who created it to his appointed heir Alexius-B?la. According to Gyula Moravcsik this title was a simple translation of B?la's Hungarian title '?r', but other historians believe it comes from the ancient Greek, despotes (literally, 'the master'). In the Orthodox Liturgy, if celebrated in Greek, the priest is addressed by the deacon as "despot" even today. It was typically bestowed on sons-in-law and later sons of the Emperor, and beginning in the 13th century it was bestowed to foreign princes. The Despot wore an elaborate costume similar to the Emperor's and had many privileges. Despots ruled over parts of the empire called Despotates. The English government is cited to have reduced the American people under absolute despotism in the United States Declaration of Independence. "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." |
 | Side - Turkije Bellydance in hotel Dosi - government agora 2nd century - temple of Athena and Apollo - Byzantine basilica - harbour of Side at Mediterranean |
 | FAREWELL KOSOVO Belgrade calm day after massive rioting over Kosovo independence Kosovo is a disputed territory on the Balkan Peninsula. It has historically been part of the Roman empire, Byzantine empire, the First and Second Bulgarian Empires, medieval Serbia, the Ottoman empire, the Kingdom of Serbia, Yugoslavia and the Republic of Serbia. Following the Kosovo War in 1999 the territory came under the interim administration of the United Nations. In February 2008, the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, an assembly under UNMIK, declared Kosovo's independence as the Republic of Kosovo (Albanian: Republika e Kosovës, Serbian: Република Косово). Its independence is recognized by some countries and opposed by others, including the Republic of Serbia, which continues to claim sovereignty over it as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Kosovo borders Central Serbia to the north and east, Montenegro to the northwest, Albania to the west and the Republic of Macedonia to the south. The capital of Kosovo is Pristina, while other cities include Peć, Prizren, and Mitrovica. (Albanian: Kosova; Serbian: Косово) BELGRADE PROTEST- Who's Wearing My Sneakers? Josipa Lisac - magla u beogradu beograd Swapping Kosovo for a pair of sneakers HOLIDAY IN BELGRADE-PRAZNIK U BEOGRADU demonstracije kosovo patike nemiri policija pljackanje neredi razbijanje lopovi saneri srbija kradja sramota kosovo za patike radikali srpska radikalna stranka usa nato serbia belgrade srbija balkans russia albania embassy burn riot fire bush seselj izbori 2008 kostunica nikolic tadic predsednik premijer vlada un nacije |
 | Egypt National Anthem The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to ready the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, As Suways, Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina', Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj https://www.cia.gov/library/publications /the-world-factbook/geos/eg.html |
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![Daily flights from NYC to Mont Tremblant\](images/articles/thumbs/nytremblantthumb.jpg "Daily flights from NYC to Mont Tremblant\")
