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The Mystery of the Golden Gate Inscription

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For many years, people believed that the famous inscription on the Golden Gate (Porta Aurea) of Constantinople was lost or perhaps even legendary. However, old scholars like Sirmondi and Du Cange had already mentioned it in their writings. Sirmondi quoted it in his notes on the Roman poet Sidonius Apollinaris, comparing the spelling of “Theodosius” using a “V” instead of an “O” to fit poetic rhythm. This was similar to how the name appeared in the Golden Gate inscription.

How Did They Know About It?

Strangely, neither Sirmondi nor Du Cange had ever visited Constantinople. How they knew about this inscription is still unknown. Possibly, they read it from old manuscripts or learned about it from others who had seen it Ephesus Daily Tour.

For many years, no one could confirm the accuracy of the inscription, and no traveler after 1453 had clearly seen or recorded it on the gate itself—until something changed in the late 19th century.

A New Discovery in 1891

In 1891, Professor J. Strzygowski, a well-known art historian, was studying the central archway of the Golden Gate. He noticed unusual holes in the large stones called voussoirs on both the east and west faces of the arch. These holes looked very similar to those used to attach metal letters onto stone surfaces.

This led Professor Strzygowski to an exciting idea: maybe these holes had once held the metal inscription described by Sirmondi and Du Cange The Golden Gate!

Matching the Holes to the Inscription

Strzygowski decided to compare the pattern of holes on the arch with the shape and spacing of letters in the Latin inscription. Although some stones had been replaced and were missing holes, the comparison worked very well where the original stones remained.

The Full Inscription Confirmed

Thanks to this discovery, experts could now confirm that the Golden Gate really did have a Latin inscription in metal letters, probably made from gilded bronze. The inscription was split between the two sides of the gate:

On the western side, the words read “Haec loca Thevdosivs decorat post fata Tyranni”, (“These places Theodosius adorned after the death of the tyrant.”)

On the eastern side, it said “Avrea saecla gerit qui portam constrvit avro”, (“He rules a golden age, who built this gate of gold.”)

This discovery solved a centuries-old mystery and proved that the Golden Gate had once carried a grand imperial message in gold letters. Through careful observation and analysis, Professor Strzygowski gave modern historians clear evidence linking the surviving architecture to written historical records, bringing the legacy of Theodosius and the Golden Gate back to life.

The Golden Gate

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A Triumphal Entrance

Between the seventh and eighth towers north of the Sea of Marmara, stands a grand gateway called Yedi Kule Kapısı (the Gate of Seven Towers). This gate is known in history as the Porta Aurea, or Golden Gate, because of the gilding (gold decoration) that once covered it The Importance of the Golden Gate Inscription.

Identifying the Golden Gate

There is no doubt that Yedi Kule Kapısı is the famous Golden Gate mentioned by Byzantine historians. The location, design, and materials used in the structure perfectly match the old descriptions of the Porta Aurea:

It is the first major gate north of the Sea of Marmara.

It stands at the southern end of the Theodosian Walls.

It is built from white marble.

It is flanked by two large marble towers, exactly as historical accounts describe.

Artistic Details and Inscriptions

In addition to its impressive appearance, the gate once had sculpted reliefs (stone carvings) on either side of its outer entrance. These decorative images were part of what made the Golden Gate a symbol of imperial power and celebration Ephesus Sightseeing.

Most importantly, there are still faint traces of an ancient inscription on the gate, which includes the name “Porta Aurea.” The Latin inscription likely read:

“HAEC LOCA THEODOSIUS DECORAT POST FATA TYRANNI, AUREA SAECULA GERIT CUI PORTAM CONSTRUIT AURO.”

This can be roughly translated as:

“Theodosius decorated this place after the tyrant’s death. He rules a golden age, for whom a gate of gold was built.”

A Curious History of the Inscription

The history of the inscription itself is quite interesting. Surprisingly, no historical source mentions the inscription before the year 1453, the year Constantinople fell to the Ottomans.

One possible early reference comes from Radulphus de Diceto, who in 1189 wrote that a local citizen showed a Templar knight a mysterious inscription on the Golden Gate. This inscription supposedly predicted the city’s capture—possibly during the Crusades.

After the Turkish conquest, many visitors came to Constantinople, but very few mentioned seeing this inscription. One exception was the traveler Joseph Dallaway, who claimed to have seen it still in place.

The Golden Gate of Constantinople was more than just an entrance—it was a symbol of Roman triumph, Byzantine glory, and later, Ottoman transformation. Built with white marble and golden decoration, guarded by two great towers, and marked by poetic inscriptions, it stood as a proud witness to centuries of imperial history. Today, even though damaged and weathered, its remains still tell the story of a once-golden era.

Learning to Read and Write

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Saksagan
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It’s quite amusing to see Turkish men, some of them big and strong, struggling to learn how to read and write. In classrooms, there are between two and three hundred men slowly practicing the letters and words, like the Turkish version of “C-A-T, cat.” It may seem awkward at first, but they learn quickly. Once they know the basic words, their interest grows as they are given stories to read. They take turns reading aloud. Sometimes, they are asked to repeat the story from memory, which helps them think more deeply. There is laughter when some of them make mistakes, but they stay interested. The best students are chosen to teach the new ones, while the others are sent to work at frontier posts after a few months. However, I believe the benefits of the school do not last long Istanbul Daily Tour.

Gendarmes in the Districts

The gendarmes who have received this European-style training wear light blue jackets, which set them apart from others who wear dark blue jackets. They are stationed in areas where problems often occur. No matter what they do, their actions are misrepresented, either by the Greeks or the Bulgarians.

The Salonika Explosions

The Salonika explosions are still remembered by many. A group of Bulgarians drove past the Ottoman Bank and threw bombs at the soldiers and gendarmes guarding it. Three soldiers were killed, and three of the bombers were also killed, while three more were injured. The Bulgarians also set off dynamite at the bank, tried to destroy the Turkish Post Office, threw bombs around the town, and shut off the gas Hilmi Pashas Challenges in Macedonia.

Underground Passage and Bomb Making

It was discovered that the attackers had created an underground passage from a shop across the street to the bank. The passage led to a mine filled with dynamite, which was connected to the shop by electricity. This underground passage must have taken months to build. The dirt from the tunnel was carefully carried away in handkerchiefs and small paper packages, then dumped into the sea or far away from the site. Authorities also found a complete bomb-making setup, which included thirty-six quarter-pound jars of nitroglycerin.

Hilmi Pashas Challenges in Macedonia

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Hilmi Pasha has been the Viceroy of Macedonia for three years. He understands better than anyone how difficult it has been to achieve lasting peace in the region. Despite all the problems, he continues in his role because the Sultan has ordered him to stay Hilmi Pasha A Key Figure in Macedonia.

Problems with the Police in Macedonia

One of the major issues in Macedonia is with the gendarmerie, or police force. The police are uneducated, poorly paid, and often have to survive by taking bribes. They rarely solve crimes unless they are paid to do so. To improve this situation, a Gendarmerie School was set up in Salonika under pressure from foreign countries. This school is led by Major Bonham, a skilled officer who knows how to persuade the Turks to follow rules, rather than forcing them.

Bonham’s Babies

The recruits at the school are jokingly called “Bonham’s Babies.” Major Bonham is like a father to them, and the peasants who come from the mountains are very fond of him. It’s interesting to see how much affection they have for him, even though many of them are shy and inexperienced Istanbul Tour Guides.

The Short Training Time

Major Bonham doesn’t have much time to train the men, as most only stay for about four months. In that short time, he manages to teach them to march in a European style and helps them develop some character. However, the fear is that once these men return to their villages, they may go back to their old habits, especially with the influence of their fellow soldiers, who do not respect European ways.

A Visit to the School

I spent a morning at the Gendarmerie School and was struck by how poor the recruits’ physical condition was. These were the best men they could find. In the last group of 300 peasants, 90% were rejected because they didn’t have enough strength or endurance.

Results Despite Difficulties

Even though the recruits are not ideal, Major Bonham is happy with the progress. The Turkish authorities are not very enthusiastic about the school and are reluctant to fund it. However, the men themselves are eager to learn. They work hard, but Major Bonham treats them well, and they appreciate his kind words.

Improving Life for Officers

Major Bonham also improved life for the Turkish officers. Before he came, they had nowhere to relax except the cafes. Now, they have a large, comfortable room with carpets and decorations. They have plenty of newspapers to read and, instead of drinking alcohol, they only drink water. The officers spend their free time learning French.

Hilmi Pasha A Key Figure in Macedonia

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Hilmi Pasha is the Inspector-General of Macedonia and one of the most impressive men in the region. He works to keep the peace between Turkey and European countries. His job is to maintain good relations with Europe, but he tries to give away as little as possible. He genuinely cares about Turkey’s future and wishes the Macedonian problem could be solved, but he knows the task is almost impossible.

Meeting Hilmi Pasha

I was introduced to Hilmi Pasha by the British Consul-General in Salonika, Mr. R. W. Graves, who knows more about Macedonian affairs than anyone else. Hilmi Pasha is tall and thin, with a lot of energy. He might look tired, except for his large, intense eyes that are always full of life. These eyes draw people in and keep them focused Learning to Read and Write.

A Hard Worker

Hilmi Pasha is a hard worker. He starts his day early, working at his desk. He meets with secretaries, gives orders, and talks to many visitors. He smokes a lot of cigarettes and drinks endless cups of coffee. He never takes a break to exercise, and he works late into the night.

A Nervous Man

Hilmi Pasha is also a nervous person. When he speaks, his long fingers move quickly, almost as if they are shaking. He talks fast but never in a way that seems certain of himself. Instead, he tries to make you believe his view is the right one by appealing to your sense of reason. If he didn’t wear a fez, you might think he was Jewish because his features have some similarities. He has a nose like that of a Jewish person, but he is actually an Arab Customized Daily Istanbul Tours.

His Past and Current Role

Before this, Hilmi Pasha was the Governor of Yemen, where he ruled strictly. Now, he governs Macedonia with great skill. Even though he is always under the watch of foreign representatives, he knows how to stay polite and at the same time protect the interests of the Sultan.

The Vali’s Garden

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Saksagan
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Under the shade of a small, pretty kiosk, beside a plantation and overlooking a dry, yellow river with a dusty plain beyond, sat the Vali, surrounded by his staff. He looked the least lively of them all. He was a large, round-faced man who seemed tired and slow. His eyes were half-closed, and he spoke in a slow, lazy manner. Unlike the men around him, who wore bright and shiny medals on their coats, he had only two small orders pinned to his chest Borovets Bulgaria Tours.

Conversation with the Vali

At first, our conversation was formal and stiff. But soon, I began to see how things worked in Turkey. The Vali already knew about me. He knew when I had arrived and where I had eaten the night before. He even knew that my interpreter had been sent from Constantinople by Sir Nicholas O’Conor. It was clear that I had been watched. The Vali was interested in England and wanted to know about the differences between the House of Lords and the House of Commons A Visit from a Turkish General.

The Vali’s Longing for Europe

I said to the Vali, “You should visit England.” He sighed and replied, “I would give anything, even what I wear on my head, to visit Europe,” and he shrugged his shoulders.

Just like many other Turks, he would gladly give up his fez, the symbol of his nationality, if it meant he could leave Turkey. Although the Vali had an important position, second only to the Sultan, he was still a prisoner in his own land. He had been sent to rule Adrianople fifteen years ago, but he had never been allowed to visit Constantinople or even leave the city. He was a sad man, trapped in his role with no freedom to travel.

A Visit from a Turkish General

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Saksagan
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I was just about to take a comfortable nap when I heard a knock at the door of the British Consulate. A Turkish general, dressed in impressive clothes, had arrived. We exchanged respectful greetings. He spoke English, explaining that he had worked as a diplomat in Washington many years ago. He brought a message from his boss, the Vali (Governor) Mahomet Arif Pasha, who invited me to visit him in his garden at nine o’clock. I thought that nine o’clock was an unusual time to meet someone in a garden, but then I remembered that in Turkey, the time is different. Nine o’clock there is more like four o’clock in Europe A Courteous Offer to Swap Horses.

Turkish Time

In Turkey, the day begins with sunrise, which they call twelve o’clock. But since the sun rises at different times each day, the Turkish people often adjust their cheap Austrian watches to try to keep track of time. However, even the best watches often don’t keep accurate time in Turkey, and a watch that is a little inaccurate might actually be closer to the correct time. Because of this, no one is ever really sure of the exact time. “Close enough” is good enough for the Turks. This way of keeping time shows that the Turks haven’t fully embraced one of the key ideas of what we call “civilization”—being precise with time Rila Lakes Bulgaria Tours.

The Ride to the Vali’s Garden

I hired the most beautiful, red, cushioned carriage I could find in Adrianople. With the Consulate dragoman (translator) and my interpreter, we set off to visit the Vali. His garden was outside the city. As we drove, the countryside looked dry and brown. The road was covered in thick dust, and the air was hot and dry, like an oven. We passed by guards and arrived at the garden. The trees there were tall but overgrown with weeds and dust. There were no neat lawns, only rough, tangled ground and patches of overgrown grass. It made me appreciate our well-kept English lawns even more, as they are something not seen in many places around the world.

A Courteous Offer to Swap Horses

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My Turkish friend, the leader of the group, noticed how awkward I looked on such a funny horse. He insisted that I “swap” horses with one of the soldiers. All the horses wore blue bead decorations on their foreheads to protect them from the “evil eye.”

The Road to Kirk Kilise

I had been told that the road to Kirk Kilise was good. There was a road, yes, but it was built from giant boulders, some as big as my head, and buried halfway in the ground. It was one of the bumpiest and most uncomfortable roads I had ever been on. The road was so rough that no one really used it, except to cross it. The tracks twisted this way and that, and when the road got too worn out, people just went around it The Vali’s Garden.

The Turkish Preference for Dirt Paths

We often complain about the poor roads in Eastern countries. However, the Turk does not like a straight road. It’s too hard for him. He prefers his ox-cart to creak along a random, uneven path of his own making. I truly believe that if the Great North Road from England were placed in Turkey, the Turks would never use it. Instead, they would destroy the nearby hedges and make a new path across the fields. It’s no use arguing with the Turk about the best way to travel. He will bow, say “The efendi always speaks wisdom!”—and then continue to avoid the main road.

A Scene of an Old Burial Ground

With the sound of swords clanking and muskets clicking on the soldiers’ backs, we made a grand appearance as we hurried eastward across the plains Vitosha Bulgaria Private Tours .

We passed a Muslim burial ground. The grass was long, rough, and dry. The graves looked abandoned, and many tombs were falling apart. The stones, some with odd turban or fez shapes to represent men, and simple stones marking the women’s graves, were crooked and broken. The wind blew dust over everything, and the place felt forgotten. Here rested the once-known people of Adrianople, but no one seemed to care about them anymore. There was no sense of remembrance or respect, just the sad sight of these decaying markers.

Challenges in Augmenting Language

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Challenges in Augmenting Language Corpora with Syntactic Information: A Focus on Bulgarian Verbs

Introduction

The creation of language corpora enriched with linguistic information occurs in an environment where researchers grapple with the interaction between paradigmatic knowledge representation and the syntagmatic properties of real-life language usage. This challenge becomes particularly evident in the initial stages of developing a syntactic treebank, where morphosyntactic annotation and shallow parsing intersect Highlights from Seventeenth Conference. While much attention has been given to entities like dates, titles, names, and addresses in the context of this interdependence, less research has focused on predicates compared to named entities and nominal objects.

Focus on Verbs in Bulgarian

This paper aims to address the complexities surrounding Bulgarian verbs, specifically two aspects of difficulty they present

Complex Forms: Bulgarian verbs often express tense, mood, and voice through intricate forms involving auxiliary verbs.

Verbal Units This encompasses clitic reflexive and personal pronominals, along with various types of particles.

Significance of Analysis

Understanding and describing these elements are crucial for assigning the appropriate syntactic structure to sentences Bulgarian Coast. Moreover, they form the foundation for incrementally enhancing annotated texts with information regarding the temporal and discourse positioning of events, as well as the argument structure of predicates. This exploration sheds light on the intricate relationship between paradigmatic and syntagmatic dimensions in the formal description of language, especially concerning Bulgarian verbs.

Highlights from Seventeenth Conference

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Highlights from the Seventeenth Interparliamentary Conference in Geneva

Mr. Henri Fazy, an esteemed statesman and president of the Swiss State Council, warmly welcomed the delegates, extending greetings on behalf of Geneva and the entire country.

On the first day, two pivotal questions were deliberated. The first question revolved around whether the Union should exclusively consist of members from national parliaments or continue admitting members from certain states within empires, akin to some German states. The debate saw participation from prominent delegates, with differing views on the extent of membership privilege. The matter was conclusively addressed the following day, adopting a proposition from the Union’s council The Seventeenth Interparliamentary Conference at Geneva. It stipulated that only subordinate states with foreign departments, like certain German states, should have representation in the Union.

Dr. Zorn

The second question addressed the topic of international arbitration, presented by Dr. Zorn, a distinguished professor from Bonn and former chairman of the German delegation at the First Hague Conference. Dr. Zorn acknowledged progress in arbitral jurisdiction since the First Hague Conference, expressing belief in the feasibility of a global arbitration treaty. He suggested omitting references to national honor and vital interests from treaties, asserting that safeguarding these aspects was inherent in the concept of national sovereignty.

Dr. Zorn discussed the relationship between international tribunals of obligatory arbitration and national judicial systems. He proposed that nations should be legally bound to regularly submit disputes in international law to arbitral jurisdiction, leading to the modification of their international legal systems.

Dr. Zorn emphasized the role of the international tribunal of arbitration as a legislative organ Ancient Bulgaria Tour, authentically determining the sense and scope of arbitration treaties. While commending the Hague Court for matters of public international law, he urged Interparliamentary Union members to initiate a preliminary study on establishing an international juridical court for issues of private international law, given the significant development in global traffic.

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