Do Cappadocia

Prime Minister’s Aspirations

M. Stoyanovitch clasped his hands together and sighed. He spoke about having a majority of twenty-four or thirty, calling it a “small majority.” He looked up at the ceiling as if imagining the victories he could achieve if he had a larger majority. The possibilities of success and stability danced in his mind.

Enter the Minister of the Interior

Just then, the Minister of the Interior, M. Pavichevitch, entered the room. He was a cheerful man with twinkling eyes and an impressive taste in cigarettes. The atmosphere lightened as people engaged in friendly conversation. They spoke about Serbia being a small country with a big heart and a proud history. Everyone seemed optimistic about the future, believing that prosperity was on the horizon Observations from the Serbian Parliament.

While they acknowledged some internal issues, like the unfortunate assas

Notable Speeches

During my time in the Serbian Parliament, I witnessed two notable speeches. The first was by M. Nicholas Pashitch, the Leader of the Opposition. He was an elderly man with a long beard who spoke clearly but calmly. His words were incisive and carried weight in the debate. The second speaker was Archpriest Gjuritch, an esteemed old man with flowing white hair and a crimson sash around his black robe. He was well-respected in the community, particularly because he had spent many years in prison for his involvement in a revolution during the reign of King Milan. In Serbia, a patriot who has faced imprisonment is honored similarly to Irish patriots who have been jailed by a foreign government Customized Daily Istanbul Tours.

The Opposition’s Demands

The Opposition made strong demands for the Minister of Justice, M. Petchitch, to just

Overview of Parliament Activities

In the Serbian Parliament, ministers earn a salary of 12,000 francs each year, while the Prime Minister receives an additional 6,000 francs. Although 750 pounds a year may not seem like a lot for a Prime Minister, it reflects the country’s approach to governance. The Skoupshtina, as the parliament is called, meets every day at 9 a.m. and usually sits until about 1 p.m. After a lunch break, the members divide into committees for the afternoon and may reconvene in the evening for another hour or two if necessary.

A Lively Debate

During my visit, the main topic was whether the current government, which had only been in power for a week, should stay in office. This sparked lively speeches from the members. It was interesting to see that gestures seemed to matter just as much as the words spoken. One peasant member had a unique way of emphasizing his points. He would press his forefinger against the side of his nose and wink sl

A Journey of Faith and Conversion

Among the apostles, Paul stands out as an extraordinary traveler, navigating the challenges of the ancient world to spread the new faith. His remarkable journeys, marked by endurance and tenacity, played a pivotal role in the early Christian movement. This article explores the life and travels of Paul, born Saul, and the transformation that led him to become one of Christianity’s most influential figures.

Early Life and Background

Paul, originally known as Saul, was born in Tarsus, southern Turkey. After his conversion, he changed his name to Paul, influenced by converting Sergius Paulus. Described as a stocky man with a bald head and a grey, bushy beard, Paul studied Jewish law in Jerusalem under the renowned rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). His Roman citizenship, inherited from his parents, afforded him special rights and protections, playing a crucial role in his ministry Read more

An Ancient Land of Craftsmen and Culture

Ancient Phrygia, located in the western part of the Anatolian plateau, held a rich history shaped by skilled craftsmen and a unique culture. This land, marked by the Sakarya River, is now encompassed by the modern cities of Afyon, Eskisehir, and Ankara. Let’s explore the remnants of this historical realm.

Geography and Modern Cities

Phrygia’s historical boundaries stretched across the Anatolian plateau, positioned strategically between Afyon, Eskisehir, and Ankara. Today, only three major cities Anatolian Milestones, Afyon, known for opium, Eskisehir, an industrial hub and key railway junction, and Kütahya, famed for ceramics and brown coal mining, carry the echoes of Phrygia’s past.

Historical Significance

In antiquity, Phrygia thrived with numerous towns and cities, becoming a focal point on the eastward routes from Lydia and Caria. Despite its

A Tapestry of History

Anatolia, the cradle of civilizations, bears witness to a rich tapestry of historical events and cultural contributions. This compilation highlights key moments, inventions, and influences that have shaped Anatolia over the ages.

Paleolithic Wonders

Paleolithic Caves (700,000–35,000 BC): Testaments to ancient human habitation in Anatolia.
Early Settlements

Nevali Cori (11,000 BC): The world’s earliest-known village settlement.

Catalhoyuk (8,000 BC): Anatolia’s first urban city settlement.

Myths and Legends

Noah’s Ark: The legendary landing on Mt. Ararat in northeastern Turkey.

Santa Claus (St. Nicholas): Born in Patara, southwestern Turkey.

Trojan War: Epic battles in Troy, northwestern Turkey, immortalized by Homer.

Influential Figures

Homeros (Homer): Birthplace in Smyrna (Izmir), modern Turkey.

Herodotos (Herodotus): Father of history, born i

A Blend of Anatolian Heritage

The Lydian language, belonging to the New Anatolian languages, unfolds a linguistic tale shaped by the aftermath of the Hittite Empire’s fall and the subsequent Indo-European settlement in Asia Minor.

Anatolian Melting Pot

As the Hittite Empire crumbled, Anatolian city-states witnessed the emergence of a new era marked by both Indo-European Hittites and non-Indo-European tribes like Hatti, Assyrians, and Aramaeans. By the 7th century B.C., Semitic and other tribes had assimilated most East and Central Anatolian Indo-Europeans, compelling Hittites and Luwians to migrate westward, finding refuge along the Aegean Sea shores Phrygia.

Distinctive Lydian Linguistics

Lydian, directly descended from Hittite, introduces unique linguistic features. The phonetics become more intricate with the introduction of nasal vowels [a] and [e], while the consonant system adopts palatals [s], [t], [d], [l

Pneuma: The Universal Spirit

Drawing from his philosophical studies, Galen concluded that various bodily functions were influenced by the Pneuma, or universal spirit. He envisioned the pneuma as a fine, spirit-like substance that flowed through the universe, organizing and controlling physical bodies.

Three Types of Spirit

Galen categorized the pneuma into three types of spirit:

Spiritus Vitalis (Life Spirit): Originating in the heart and flowing through the arteries.
Spiritus Animalis (Animal Spirit): Found in the brain and nerves Understanding Human Temperaments.
Spiritus Naturalis (Natural Spirit): Formed in the liver.
Title: Galenic Physiological Theory

Sustaining Life Process

While emphasizing the role of the pneuma, Galen also believed that the life process depended on food, converted into blood in the liver. This blood, originating from the liver, nourished essen

Galen’s Insights

Four Basic Human Temperaments

Building upon Hippocrates’ theory of the four humours, Galen proposed the concept of four basic human temperaments, each linked to the dominance of one of the humours. These temperaments were:

Sanguinicus (Blood Dominance): Cheerful and lively
Flegmaticus (Phlegm Dominance): Calm and tough
Melancholicus (Melancholy Dominance): Worrisome and gloomy
Cholericus (Choler Dominance): Energetic
Galen believed that one’s personality was closely connected to their physical makeup.

Galen’s Contributions to Physiology

Unraveling the Mysteries of Physiology

Galen significantly contributed to the development of human physiological science. In ancient times, the functions of the heart and blood vessels were mysterious. Earlier theories by Alcmaeon of Croton and Aristotle suggested connections between blood, sleep, and the brain. Galen debunked many of th

Galen’s Medical Journey

Early Medical Journey

After initially studying philosophy, especially Aristotle, Galen shifted his focus to medicine at the age of seventeen. Traveling through Greece, Asia Minor, and Palestine, he honed his skills and became a doctor in Alexandria, a prominent medical center.

Return to Pergamum and Gymnasium Doctor

Around 159, at 28, Galen returned to Pergamum, his birthplace, and became the doctor at the local gymnasium attached to the sanctuary of Asklepios. Asklepios Galen’s Philosophical Insights, son of the sun god Apollo, was associated with healing.

Imperial Physician and Gladiators’ Care

Moving to the Empire’s capital, Galen became a renowned teacher of medicine and the personal physician to Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. He also tended to the gladiators, treating their wounds, which expanded his anatomical knowledge. This expe