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Sultan Mehmet IV's Challenging Ascension
Sultan Mehmet IV came to power in tumultuous times, ascending the throne at the tender age of seven with the support of his youthful mother, Turhan Sultan.
Governance and Financial Stability
The governance of a sovereign is intricately linked with the stability of the treasury, which in turn relies on the taxation of the populace. Sultan Mehmet IV, upon assuming power, faced the daunting task of managing an empty treasury while upholding the tradition of disbursing allowances to the soldiers, known as ‘ulufe’s.
The Role of Cinci Hodja and Financial Mismanagement
During Sultan Mehmet IV’s reign, the eccentric actions of Cinci Hodja, an exorcist, aggravated the financial crisis. Instead of providing quality coins for the treasury, Cinci Hodja opted for inferior ones, infuriating the young Sultan. However, his execution and subsequent confiscation of his assets alleviated some of the financial strain Istanbul Walking Tour.
Governance Challenges and Historical Reflections
Historical records, such as those penned by Mehmet Halife, shed light on the governance challenges faced by Sultan Mehmet IV. Mehmet Halife’s writings reveal the stark contrast between the financial management of Sultan Ibrahim’s era and the subsequent reign. The influence of Queen Mother Kosem Sultan during Sultan Mehmet IV’s reign shifted power dynamics, leading to the dominance of the Aghas, military commanders, and Grand Viziers.
Economic Control and Political Influence
Under Queen Mother Kosem Sultan’s influence, the rule was consolidated in the hands of the Aghas, disrupting efforts by figures like Kara Mustafa Pasha to stabilize the treasury. The Aghas monopolized trade in Istanbul and seized key positions of power, including Grand Viziership and leadership roles within the Janissaries, cementing their control over the empire’s affairs.
In summary, Sultan Mehmet IV’s reign was characterized by financial instability, exacerbated by eccentric advisors and power struggles within the royal court. The dominance of Queen Mother Kosem Sultan and the Aghas reshaped political and economic dynamics, posing significant challenges to governance during Sultan Mehmet IV’s rule.
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Unveiling the Tragedy
As we descended into the heart of the village, a grim scene unfolded before us—a testament to the atrocities committed.
Remnants of Horror
Gathered around a heap of ashes by the roadside, locals pointed out a macabre sight: a multitude of calcined bones mingling with the debris. Here lay the remnants of burnt corpses, a stark indication of the brutality inflicted upon the villagers.
A Haunting Discovery
Further along our path, we encountered a sight that filled us with profound sorrow and horror—a young girl’s skeleton, no more than fifteen years old, lay abandoned by the roadside. Partially covered by the rubble of a collapsed wall, her remains told a harrowing tale of violence and desecration.
Innocence Lost
The girl’s skeleton, still adorned with a simple chemise and footless stockings, bore the marks of a brutal end. Her once-treasured shoes had been stripped away, leaving her delicate feet exposed to the elements. Despite the passage of time, her flesh had not decomposed entirely, preserving her tragic visage Tour Packages Balkan.
Unspeakable Cruelty
A gaping wound marred her skull, surrounded by a tangle of long, brown hair—a poignant reminder of the innocence snuffed out by senseless violence. It became apparent that the perpetrators had subjected her to unspeakable indignities, stripping her of her clothes and dignity before mercilessly ending her life.
Testimonies of Survivors
We spoke with numerous women who had endured similar ordeals, spared only from the final, fatal blow. Their accounts revealed a pattern of brutality and degradation: victims stripped of their belongings, violated, and ultimately slain at the whims of their assailants.
The discovery of this young girl’s remains serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors unleashed upon the innocent inhabitants of Batak. Each bone, each silent witness to unspeakable cruelty, demands justice and remembrance for those whose lives were needlessly cut short.
0 notes
Photo
Unveiling the Tragedy
As we descended into the heart of the village, a grim scene unfolded before us—a testament to the atrocities committed.
Remnants of Horror
Gathered around a heap of ashes by the roadside, locals pointed out a macabre sight: a multitude of calcined bones mingling with the debris. Here lay the remnants of burnt corpses, a stark indication of the brutality inflicted upon the villagers.
A Haunting Discovery
Further along our path, we encountered a sight that filled us with profound sorrow and horror—a young girl’s skeleton, no more than fifteen years old, lay abandoned by the roadside. Partially covered by the rubble of a collapsed wall, her remains told a harrowing tale of violence and desecration.
Innocence Lost
The girl’s skeleton, still adorned with a simple chemise and footless stockings, bore the marks of a brutal end. Her once-treasured shoes had been stripped away, leaving her delicate feet exposed to the elements. Despite the passage of time, her flesh had not decomposed entirely, preserving her tragic visage Tour Packages Balkan.
Unspeakable Cruelty
A gaping wound marred her skull, surrounded by a tangle of long, brown hair—a poignant reminder of the innocence snuffed out by senseless violence. It became apparent that the perpetrators had subjected her to unspeakable indignities, stripping her of her clothes and dignity before mercilessly ending her life.
Testimonies of Survivors
We spoke with numerous women who had endured similar ordeals, spared only from the final, fatal blow. Their accounts revealed a pattern of brutality and degradation: victims stripped of their belongings, violated, and ultimately slain at the whims of their assailants.
The discovery of this young girl’s remains serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors unleashed upon the innocent inhabitants of Batak. Each bone, each silent witness to unspeakable cruelty, demands justice and remembrance for those whose lives were needlessly cut short.
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The Rise and Fall of the First Bulgarian Kingdom
Expansion under King Simeon I (893-927 A.D.)
The First Bulgarian Kingdom reached its peak during the rule of King Simeon I, who took the throne in 893. King Simeon defended Bulgaria against Byzantine attacks, leading to a war. The Bulgarians besieged Byzantium, but they couldn’t capture it. The reigns of King Boris and his son King Simeon are considered the golden age of the Bulgarian people, marking the firm establishment of their national identity.
Decline after King Simeon’s Death (927 A.D.)
After King Simeon’s death in 927, the First Bulgarian Kingdom went into decline. Bulgaria was worn out from two centuries of conflict with the Byzantine Empire. Byzantine influences separated the Bulgarian aristocracy from the common people by encouraging the adoption of oriental luxury. Byzantine Christianity became the religion of the elite City Tour Istanbul, while the common people followed the teachings of Father Paisius. The heretical Bogomil creed emerged in the 10th century, opposing church organization, rituals, and saints. It spread across the Balkans and remained a popular religion for about 500 years. The divisions caused by the Bogomil movement played a role in the downfall of the First Bulgarian Kingdom in 1014, at the hands of the Byzantine Empire.
Defeat under King Samuil (1014 A.D.)
The decisive defeat of the Bulgarians occurred during the reign of King Samuil, concluding a 14-year war. King Samuil’s army fell into an ambush near the Struma River, resulting in the capture of around 15,000 Bulgarians. The Byzantine emperor, Basil II, ordered the captives to be blinded, with every hundredth man receiving this harsh punishment in only one eye. The 150 one-eyed men guided their blinded comrades back to Bulgaria. Witnessing his army’s pitiful return, King Samuil fell dead, marking the end of the First Bulgarian Kingdom.
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The Rise and Fall of the First Bulgarian Kingdom
Expansion under King Simeon I (893-927 A.D.)
The First Bulgarian Kingdom reached its peak during the rule of King Simeon I, who took the throne in 893. King Simeon defended Bulgaria against Byzantine attacks, leading to a war. The Bulgarians besieged Byzantium, but they couldn’t capture it. The reigns of King Boris and his son King Simeon are considered the golden age of the Bulgarian people, marking the firm establishment of their national identity.
Decline after King Simeon’s Death (927 A.D.)
After King Simeon’s death in 927, the First Bulgarian Kingdom went into decline. Bulgaria was worn out from two centuries of conflict with the Byzantine Empire. Byzantine influences separated the Bulgarian aristocracy from the common people by encouraging the adoption of oriental luxury. Byzantine Christianity became the religion of the elite City Tour Istanbul, while the common people followed the teachings of Father Paisius. The heretical Bogomil creed emerged in the 10th century, opposing church organization, rituals, and saints. It spread across the Balkans and remained a popular religion for about 500 years. The divisions caused by the Bogomil movement played a role in the downfall of the First Bulgarian Kingdom in 1014, at the hands of the Byzantine Empire.
Defeat under King Samuil (1014 A.D.)
The decisive defeat of the Bulgarians occurred during the reign of King Samuil, concluding a 14-year war. King Samuil’s army fell into an ambush near the Struma River, resulting in the capture of around 15,000 Bulgarians. The Byzantine emperor, Basil II, ordered the captives to be blinded, with every hundredth man receiving this harsh punishment in only one eye. The 150 one-eyed men guided their blinded comrades back to Bulgaria. Witnessing his army’s pitiful return, King Samuil fell dead, marking the end of the First Bulgarian Kingdom.
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A Precipitated Conflict and Strategic Errors
Prelude to Chaos
In mid-October, after the Allies declared war on Turkey, the Balkans witnessed a tumultuous series of events. Bulgaria, at the forefront of the conflict, achieved significant victories in the Odrin region of Thrace. However, strategic blunders and shifting alliances would soon plunge the region into further chaos.
Bulgarian Campaigns
As three Bulgarian armies secured victories in Thrace, success smiled upon the Serbs and Greeks in Macedonian and Albanian territories. The Ottoman Empire, facing mounting losses, sought a truce. King Ferdinand, acting as Commander-in-Chief, made a strategic error driven by his eagerness to enter Constantinople swiftly. Ordering an attack on the heavily fortified Turkish position at Chataldja, mere kilometers from Constantinople, proved a hasty move that would alter the course of events.
Stalled Offensive and Shifting Tides
Unfortunately, the offensive at Chataldja faced resistance, emboldening the Turkish government. London peace negotiations faltered in December, and Germany threw its support behind the new Turkish regime. The fate of the war hung once again on the battlefield, and in the ensuing months, Bulgarian troops tightened their grip. Prolonged and bloody battles led to a breakthrough, compelling Turkey to sign a peace treaty in London on May 17, 1913.
Disputes over Territory
Despite the victorious outcome, internal strife plagued the Allies. Disagreements over the division of conquered territory emerged. Secret negotiations between Serbia and Greece signaled the virtual termination of the Balkan Alliance. The autumn of 1912 saw diplomatic maneuvers that foreshadowed Bulgaria’s predicament Private Turkey Tours.
Bulgaria’s Assault on Former Allies
In a historical breach of the Constitution, King Ferdinand I launched an offensive on June 16, 1913, against former allies—the Serbian and Greek armies occupying Macedonia. The move, marked by miscalculations, exposed Bulgaria to a coalition that now included Romania and Turkey.
Bulgaria’s Historical Irresponsibility
With battles erupting on four fronts, Bulgaria found itself in a precarious position. The precipitant step proved historically irresponsible, considering the exhaustion of the Bulgarian army post-Balkan War. Adding to the complexity, Russia, a key player, showed little sympathy for Bulgarian claims and harbored favorable sentiments for Serbia.
The Unraveling of Alliances
The Balkan Wars, initially marked by triumphs and territorial gains, descended into discord and internal strife. Bulgaria’s ill-fated offensive, driven by strategic errors and a fractured alliance, painted a tumultuous picture of the region’s complex geopolitical landscape.
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A Response to Disraeli
A Response to Disraeli, Elliot’s Conduct, and Bulgaria’s Present State
Challenging Exaggerations Dissecting Disraeli’s Claims
In the aftermath of a harrowing journey through Bulgaria, a pause to address the assertions of Mr. Disraeli seems pertinent. His persistent denial of atrocities hinges on specific details, such as the absence of evidence for heads carted through Philippopolis or the incineration of forty young girls at Novi-Selo. However, the focus here will unravel the immateriality of these specifics in the face of broader tragedies.
Tamboli’s Untold Tale Unveiling the Unseen Horrors
One particular instance that challenges Disraeli’s narrative lies in Tamboli, a place unexplored by Mr. Baring at the time of his telegraphed assertions. Delving into the realities of Tamboli, conversations with the Italian Consul at Burgas, who operates a commercial establishment there, could potentially reshape the narrative. The unseen horrors lurking in Tamboli may hold the key to unraveling the extent of the atrocities that Disraeli deems exaggerated Balkan Tours.
Elliot’s Role Scrutinizing Diplomatic Conduct
Simultaneously, the conduct of Sir Henry Elliot, the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, warrants scrutiny. A diplomatic figure of great influence, Elliot’s actions or lack thereof during these tumultuous times could significantly impact the narrative. Exploring the nuances of his engagement and response to the unfolding crises may shed light on the complexities of diplomatic maneuvering in the face of humanitarian crises.
Bulgaria’s Present Struggles A Glimpse Beyond Atrocities
Amidst the debates and denials, the present condition of Bulgaria cannot be overlooked. Beyond the horrors of the reported atrocities, the country grapples with its own set of challenges. A brief exploration of the current state of Bulgaria serves not only as a contextual backdrop to the unfolding events but also as a reminder that the aftermath of such crises extends beyond the immediate brutality.
A Call for a Holistic Perspective Moving Beyond Specifics
In essence, this exploration seeks to foster a holistic understanding of the events transpiring in Bulgaria. While Disraeli fixates on specific details to dismiss the broader narrative, Tamboli’s untold tale and Elliot’s diplomatic role beckon a deeper examination. Beyond the confines of exaggerations, the present struggles of Bulgaria beckon our attention, reminding us that the impact of such crises reverberates far beyond the atrocities that capture our headlines.
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Defiance in Desperation
The Unyielding Spirit of Perustitza
In the annals of Perustitza, a small village caught in the grip of a merciless siege, the resilience of its people shines through in the face of overwhelming odds. The Bashi-Bazouks, numbering a formidable thousand, descended upon the village, leaving the meager force of around two hundred defenders with little recourse. Yet, within the heart of this desperate struggle, tales of courage and determination emerge, epitomized by the gripping account of an Armenian girl who bore witness to the harrowing events within the confines of the village church.
The Armenian girl’s story is a tapestry of fear, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve. Her parents, Armenians themselves, gambled on the hope that leaving the village might spare them from the wrath of the Bashi-Bazouks. Joining the ranks of those who ventured out to surrender, their nationality and destitution acted as a shield, ensuring their safety amidst the chaos. However, in a heart-wrenching decision, they opted not to take their daughter with them, fearing the unspeakable atrocities that might befall her if she were to fall into the hands of the marauding Bashi-Bazouks.
Instead, the daughter found herself within the sanctuary of the village church alongside other women and children. The church, now a bastion of hope and desperation, strained to contain the influx of terrified inhabitants seeking refuge from the impending onslaught. Meanwhile, the men, stationed outside the churchyard, sought solace behind the protective walls, vigilantly observing the movements of the encroaching enemy. private tours bulgaria At times, they would defiantly fire through the loopholes, a symbol of their determination to resist the impending threat.
Bore witness
The Armenian girl, who bore witness to these stirring scenes, recounts the surprising resilience displayed by the men during those tumultuous moments. Despite the imminent danger and the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Bashi-Bazouks, the defenders stood unwavering, exhibiting a remarkable coolness and bravery. This unexpected fortitude became the linchpin of their defense, as they faced the very real possibility of their village being razed to the ground.
As the siege wore on, the village became a battleground, and the churchyard transformed into a refuge tinged with both despair and determination. The women and children huddled together, their fate hanging in the balance, while the men outside stood resolute, ready to confront the enemy with whatever means were at their disposal.
The tale of Perustitza is not just one of tragedy; it is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to withstand adversity. In the face of overwhelming odds, the villagers, armed with little more than their courage, chose to make a stand. The Armenian girl’s account, etched with the indomitable spirit of her people, serves as a poignant reminder that even in the darkest hours, the flame of resilience can flicker, refusing to be extinguished. Perustitza stands as a symbol of defiance, where the spirit of survival triumphs against the brutality of the besieging forces.
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MacGahan’s Work Recreates
Written with a polemic passion, harmoniously blending feeling with logic, in the eruptive style that results from the excitement and energy generated by controlled thoughts, with all the epithets, the metaphors, the questioning and exclamatory sentences, with all the catch-words and the landscape details, MacGahan’s work recreates the moving scenes and characters within an intense atmosphere which reveals the author’s deep psychological insight of the heroic days of the April uprising.
In the context of the shrieking blood of the revolution, the governments and state institutions of the epoch found caricatures of themselves bearing an uncanny resemblance to reality. MacGahan openly accused the great European powers which, under the pretence of protecting the Balkan peoples, followed a demagogic policy of conquest. MacGahan delivered a revocatory, frontal attack on the British prime- minister Disraeli and his foreign minister Lord Derby City Tour Istanbul, who represented the main political support for the criminal and corrupt Turkish government.
Turkish government
AiacGahan revealed clearly that the Turkish government and the landlords could no longer cling to their power, and that the time for the higher strata of Turkish society to abandon its traditional style of living has long since been at hand. The progress of the people both on the Bulgarian and on the Turkish side is objectively conditioned. In the existing revolutionary situation the network of Bulgarian revolutionary committees gave way to exculpated fighting actions.
MacGahan demonstrated how the conception of territorial integrity for Turkey and the preserving of the «status quo» are essentially incompatible. Lie denounced the mass slaughters as a means of solving the national question and exercised a strong influence in the consequent changes in Russian and British foreign policies.
MacGahan’s reports are the instigator of that powerful movement known as the Bulgarian agitation which developed in England throughout 1876 and marked the most profamily democratic display in the secular annals of English history. All internal and external political life in England in 1876 had the April uprising as its prime mover. The Queen, Parliament, government, political parties, church, intelegentsia, large sections from the mass of the population, particularly from the working class, surged together on protest over the question of attitude towards Bulgaria.
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MacGahan’s Work Recreates
Written with a polemic passion, harmoniously blending feeling with logic, in the eruptive style that results from the excitement and energy generated by controlled thoughts, with all the epithets, the metaphors, the questioning and exclamatory sentences, with all the catch-words and the landscape details, MacGahan’s work recreates the moving scenes and characters within an intense atmosphere which reveals the author’s deep psychological insight of the heroic days of the April uprising.
In the context of the shrieking blood of the revolution, the governments and state institutions of the epoch found caricatures of themselves bearing an uncanny resemblance to reality. MacGahan openly accused the great European powers which, under the pretence of protecting the Balkan peoples, followed a demagogic policy of conquest. MacGahan delivered a revocatory, frontal attack on the British prime- minister Disraeli and his foreign minister Lord Derby City Tour Istanbul, who represented the main political support for the criminal and corrupt Turkish government.
Turkish government
AiacGahan revealed clearly that the Turkish government and the landlords could no longer cling to their power, and that the time for the higher strata of Turkish society to abandon its traditional style of living has long since been at hand. The progress of the people both on the Bulgarian and on the Turkish side is objectively conditioned. In the existing revolutionary situation the network of Bulgarian revolutionary committees gave way to exculpated fighting actions.
MacGahan demonstrated how the conception of territorial integrity for Turkey and the preserving of the «status quo» are essentially incompatible. Lie denounced the mass slaughters as a means of solving the national question and exercised a strong influence in the consequent changes in Russian and British foreign policies.
MacGahan’s reports are the instigator of that powerful movement known as the Bulgarian agitation which developed in England throughout 1876 and marked the most profamily democratic display in the secular annals of English history. All internal and external political life in England in 1876 had the April uprising as its prime mover. The Queen, Parliament, government, political parties, church, intelegentsia, large sections from the mass of the population, particularly from the working class, surged together on protest over the question of attitude towards Bulgaria.
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Kings and Queens
I was at first inclined to think it was the tall woman who must be the Queen, as she more nearly filled my ideas of what an Amazon should be, and I was surprised to learn that it was not she but the young girl who had been playing at “Kings and Queens” with such disastrous effect to herself. A slight, graceful form, only too plainly seen through her scanty, miserable clothing, large hazel eyes, an oval face, slightly browned by the sun, straight nose, and a veritable little rosebud of a mouth. She was thin and weak, and seemed scarcely able to stand, and the young girlish face wore a dejected, brokenhearted look that was sad to see.
A handkerchief was thrown over her head, and she wore a coarse brown linsey-woolsey jacket and a short petticoat of the same material that scarcely reached below her knees, exposing a white delicate foot. She had no shoes and stockings, and this costume she afterwards told me was not her own, but was given her after she had been stripped of her own clothing. She told us her story in a few words, from which it appeared she had taken some part in the insurrection indirectly, but that the report of her having been crowned Queen of the Bulgarians was a pure fiction Private Tours Istanbul.
Queen of the Bulgarians
The name “Queen of the Bulgarians” had been given her by the Turks in mockery, coupled with the vilest epithets and insults that a cowardly brutal soldiery could think of. She had been in prison two months, and during all this time had been given nothing to eat but bread and water. It was no wonder she looked weak and ill. As she was evidently too weak to stand talking there long, Mr. Schuyler told her he would try to have her set at liberty as soon as possible, and then we took our leave.
This visit of Mr. Schuyler’s and the interest he showed in her, resulted in her being released next day on bail, to be definitely set at liberty a few days later. I paid her a visit the day after in the khan or caravansary where she with her companion had found a temporary shelter, and obtained her story in detail.
0 notes
Photo
Kings and Queens
I was at first inclined to think it was the tall woman who must be the Queen, as she more nearly filled my ideas of what an Amazon should be, and I was surprised to learn that it was not she but the young girl who had been playing at “Kings and Queens” with such disastrous effect to herself. A slight, graceful form, only too plainly seen through her scanty, miserable clothing, large hazel eyes, an oval face, slightly browned by the sun, straight nose, and a veritable little rosebud of a mouth. She was thin and weak, and seemed scarcely able to stand, and the young girlish face wore a dejected, brokenhearted look that was sad to see.
A handkerchief was thrown over her head, and she wore a coarse brown linsey-woolsey jacket and a short petticoat of the same material that scarcely reached below her knees, exposing a white delicate foot. She had no shoes and stockings, and this costume she afterwards told me was not her own, but was given her after she had been stripped of her own clothing. She told us her story in a few words, from which it appeared she had taken some part in the insurrection indirectly, but that the report of her having been crowned Queen of the Bulgarians was a pure fiction Private Tours Istanbul.
Queen of the Bulgarians
The name “Queen of the Bulgarians” had been given her by the Turks in mockery, coupled with the vilest epithets and insults that a cowardly brutal soldiery could think of. She had been in prison two months, and during all this time had been given nothing to eat but bread and water. It was no wonder she looked weak and ill. As she was evidently too weak to stand talking there long, Mr. Schuyler told her he would try to have her set at liberty as soon as possible, and then we took our leave.
This visit of Mr. Schuyler’s and the interest he showed in her, resulted in her being released next day on bail, to be definitely set at liberty a few days later. I paid her a visit the day after in the khan or caravansary where she with her companion had found a temporary shelter, and obtained her story in detail.
0 notes
Photo
The village of Batak
The village of Batak was comparatively rich and prosperous; it had excited the envy and jealousy of its Turkish neighbours, and the opportunities of plunder offered a temptation to the Turks which, combined with their religious fanaticism and the pretext of an insurrection in another part of the country, was more than they could resist. The man Achmet-Agha, who commanded the slaughter, has not been punished, and will not be, but, on the contrary, he has been promoted to the rank of Yuzbashi, and decorated.
We are told that any number of children and young girls had been carried off; that it was known in what Turkish villages they were kept, and that the Turks simply refused to restore them to their parents. Mr. Schuyler afterwards obtained a list, with the names and ages of eighty-seven girls and boys that had been carried off with the name of the village in which each was kept.
As to the present condition of the people who are here, it is simply fearful to think of. The Turkish authorities have built a few wooden sheds in the outskirts of the village in which they sleep, but they have nothing to live upon but what they can beg or borrow from their neighbours.
Turkish authorities
And in addition to this the Turkish authorities, with that cool cynicism and utter disregard of European demands for which they are so distinguished, have ordered these people to pay their regular taxes and war contributions just as though nothing had happened. Ask the Porte about this at Constantinople, and it will be denied, with the most plausible protestations and the most reassuring promises that everything will be done to help the sufferers Private Tours Istanbul.
But everywhere the people of the burnt villages come to Mr. Schuyler with the same story—that unless they pay their taxes and war contributions they are threatened with expulsion from the nooks and corners of the crumbling walls where they have found a temporary shelter. It is simply impossible for them to pay, and what will be the result of these demands it is not easy to foretell. But the Government needs money badly, and must have it. Each village must make up its ordinary quota of taxes, and the living must pay for the dead.
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The village of Batak
The village of Batak was comparatively rich and prosperous; it had excited the envy and jealousy of its Turkish neighbours, and the opportunities of plunder offered a temptation to the Turks which, combined with their religious fanaticism and the pretext of an insurrection in another part of the country, was more than they could resist. The man Achmet-Agha, who commanded the slaughter, has not been punished, and will not be, but, on the contrary, he has been promoted to the rank of Yuzbashi, and decorated.
We are told that any number of children and young girls had been carried off; that it was known in what Turkish villages they were kept, and that the Turks simply refused to restore them to their parents. Mr. Schuyler afterwards obtained a list, with the names and ages of eighty-seven girls and boys that had been carried off with the name of the village in which each was kept.
As to the present condition of the people who are here, it is simply fearful to think of. The Turkish authorities have built a few wooden sheds in the outskirts of the village in which they sleep, but they have nothing to live upon but what they can beg or borrow from their neighbours.
Turkish authorities
And in addition to this the Turkish authorities, with that cool cynicism and utter disregard of European demands for which they are so distinguished, have ordered these people to pay their regular taxes and war contributions just as though nothing had happened. Ask the Porte about this at Constantinople, and it will be denied, with the most plausible protestations and the most reassuring promises that everything will be done to help the sufferers Private Tours Istanbul.
But everywhere the people of the burnt villages come to Mr. Schuyler with the same story—that unless they pay their taxes and war contributions they are threatened with expulsion from the nooks and corners of the crumbling walls where they have found a temporary shelter. It is simply impossible for them to pay, and what will be the result of these demands it is not easy to foretell. But the Government needs money badly, and must have it. Each village must make up its ordinary quota of taxes, and the living must pay for the dead.
0 notes
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Galin Jordanov
The aim of this booklet is simple: one who has no time to read vast works can, by these few dozens of pages, get in touch with the most important events that took place during the past two millennia on the territory south of the river Danube and west of the Black Sea – the land that bears the name Bulgaria…
Galin Jordanov
A land like a human palm…
A bigger land I don’t require.
I’m glad your mountains are flint-hard And that your blood has Southern fire.
Taken from Georgi Djagarov’s “Bulgaria”, translated by Peter Tempest
From Prehistoric Times to The Forming Of A Nation
Thracians, Greeks and Romans
Archaeological excavations had shown in an indisputable way the existence of primitive man earlier than hundreds of thousands of years in the lands inhabited today by Bulgarians. Impressing collections of Hint, bone and horn tools as well as earthenware and ceramics used during the Copper and Stone Age can be seen in most Bulgarian museums. Works of idol plastic arts reveal the diverse and unique spiritual life that took place in these lands Private Tours Balkan.
However, the earliest inhabitants of the Bulgarian lands were recognized to be the Thracians – mentioned by Herodotus as “one of the most multitudinous peoples” of the Ancient world and referred to as the “horse bridlers” in Homer’s Iliad. Five thousand years ago numerous tribes of them inhabited not only the Balkan Peninsula – south of the Danube, along the river Maritza and the south-western parts of present- day Bulgaria – but also Asia Minor and some of the islands in the Aegean Sea. Thracians were of Indo- European origin and certainly represent the ethnical basis that served later as on of the genetic ingredients for the forming of the Bulgarian nation.
They were acquainted with the ways of producing iron tools and dealt well with farming or animal breeding. Thracian kings minted coins and had at their disposal skilled goldsmiths for which testimonies are the famous Thracian silver and golden treasures – such as the Rogozen or the Panagyurishte treasures – found in our lands and exposed in many countries of the world. But along with that some ancient historians admit that part of their tribes have shown themselves as good sailors who rivalled in experience the rulers of the marine expanse, the Greeks, and sometimes acted even like pirates…
Thracian culture of that period was strongly influenced by the Greek colonization of the Black Sea coastline after the 7th century B. C. as the multiple settlers of the Greek city- states established economic and cultural exchange with the Thracian lands. So was initiated the processes of Hellenization of a part of the Thracian ethnos and the mighty Greek civilization this way enriched the Thracian culture. Thracian religion took notions from the Greek divinities and, on their part, the Greeks paid tribute to the legendary Thracian singer and musician Orpheus, who had an important position in Thracian mythology.
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Galin Jordanov
The aim of this booklet is simple: one who has no time to read vast works can, by these few dozens of pages, get in touch with the most important events that took place during the past two millennia on the territory south of the river Danube and west of the Black Sea – the land that bears the name Bulgaria…
Galin Jordanov
A land like a human palm…
A bigger land I don’t require.
I’m glad your mountains are flint-hard And that your blood has Southern fire.
Taken from Georgi Djagarov’s “Bulgaria”, translated by Peter Tempest
From Prehistoric Times to The Forming Of A Nation
Thracians, Greeks and Romans
Archaeological excavations had shown in an indisputable way the existence of primitive man earlier than hundreds of thousands of years in the lands inhabited today by Bulgarians. Impressing collections of Hint, bone and horn tools as well as earthenware and ceramics used during the Copper and Stone Age can be seen in most Bulgarian museums. Works of idol plastic arts reveal the diverse and unique spiritual life that took place in these lands Private Tours Balkan.
However, the earliest inhabitants of the Bulgarian lands were recognized to be the Thracians – mentioned by Herodotus as “one of the most multitudinous peoples” of the Ancient world and referred to as the “horse bridlers” in Homer’s Iliad. Five thousand years ago numerous tribes of them inhabited not only the Balkan Peninsula – south of the Danube, along the river Maritza and the south-western parts of present- day Bulgaria – but also Asia Minor and some of the islands in the Aegean Sea. Thracians were of Indo- European origin and certainly represent the ethnical basis that served later as on of the genetic ingredients for the forming of the Bulgarian nation.
They were acquainted with the ways of producing iron tools and dealt well with farming or animal breeding. Thracian kings minted coins and had at their disposal skilled goldsmiths for which testimonies are the famous Thracian silver and golden treasures – such as the Rogozen or the Panagyurishte treasures – found in our lands and exposed in many countries of the world. But along with that some ancient historians admit that part of their tribes have shown themselves as good sailors who rivalled in experience the rulers of the marine expanse, the Greeks, and sometimes acted even like pirates…
Thracian culture of that period was strongly influenced by the Greek colonization of the Black Sea coastline after the 7th century B. C. as the multiple settlers of the Greek city- states established economic and cultural exchange with the Thracian lands. So was initiated the processes of Hellenization of a part of the Thracian ethnos and the mighty Greek civilization this way enriched the Thracian culture. Thracian religion took notions from the Greek divinities and, on their part, the Greeks paid tribute to the legendary Thracian singer and musician Orpheus, who had an important position in Thracian mythology.
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East Frontage
East Frontage.—The sculptures on this represent either a massacre or a battle; but, whether the former or the latter, the strife must be civil, as is evinced by both assailants and assailed being represented as Greeks; the former wear helmets i and breastplates, and carry bucklers, while the latter are clad in tunics open at the throat and breast. The central figures represent a warrior cutting the throat of a kneeling prisoner who is struggling to break his bonds; to the left of these is the figure of another warrior apparently coming to the assistance of the first; another of the figures is that of a man receiving on his buckler a spear- thrust from a kneeling warrior. The figure at the right-hand corner is missing; in the left corner is the figure of a dying warrior, with another bending over and supporting him.
West Front.—The sculptures on this represent a battle scene. The central figure is a Persian horseman, and the one on the left a Greek warrior, whose plumed helmet lies on the ground, and who is .defending himself against the mounted barbarian. To the right is a Persian attacking a kneeling Greek, who is covered with his buckler; to the left, and corresponding with the last-named figure, is that of a Persian archer kneeling. In the left comer is the figure of a slain Greek lying on his back, and in the right one a helmet and buckler.
Phoenician initial
Sarcophagi Nos. 77, 78, and 79.—These three sarcophagi, which were found near Alexander’s in the same tumulus, are also of Pentelic marble, and shaped to represent a Greek temple ; but, unlike the other sarcophagus, are without any sculptured ornamentation. All four are of the same marble, and were evidently ordered at one and the same time, and made in the same workshop. Sarcophagus No. 77 bears the Phoenician initial A, and No. 78 the initial Y. Prom the bones found in these three sarcophagi, they appear to have been used as a receptacle for the mortal remains of the wives, concubines, or other female connections of the person interred in the larger sarcophagus. All of them had been despoiled and had their lids broken when discovered, but the lids have been restored as far as possible. Their colouring has faded to a very great extent; the style and orna-mentation is uniform, but their sizes vary.
Sarcophagus of Tabnith, King of Sidon, No. 90.—This sarcophagus was also discovered at Saida by Hamdl Bey; it is anthropoid in shape, of black Egyptian stone, and in the Egyptian style. On its large short pedestal is graven a human bust, with smiling countenance, flat ears, high shoulders, a long beard, and long hair extending down both cheeks. The breast is carved to represent the embroidery on its garment, which terminates on either side in a falcon’s head, and has two large wings of the same bird below it. A border of hieroglyphics runs all round the upper portion of the trough, and on the lid are two more inscriptions, one in Egyptian hieroglyphics, and the other in Phoenician characters. From the former it appears that the sarcophagus originally contained the corpse of Panephtah, an Egyptian general, whose body was disinterred when the sarcophagus was sold to Tabnith, King of Sidon. The Phoenician inscription runs thus:—
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