Moana Kuewa

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		2008.11.09 TURKEY Istanbul Military Museum Location: TURKEY: Istanbul One of Istanbul’s most impressive museums is the Military Museum. This museum traced the history of the country’s conflicts from the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Mehmet II, the Conqueror, in 1453 through modern warfare. The building used to be the military academy where Atatürk , (considered the “father” of modern Turkey) studied from 1899 to 1905. The exhibition opened with a painting of how the modern Turkish flag came to be. Legend has it that that the moon occulting a star appeared as a reflection in a bloody puddle, after the battle of Kosovo, in 1448. The battle was a decisive one for Turkey as it founded the long and illustrious Ottoman Empire, which ruled until 19th century. Two statues depict a sultan on his mount and a member of the Janissary corp. A key practice was Devşirme, which required rural Christian subjects to give one of their sons to the service of the sultan. The boys converted to Islam and were educated to become civil servants or Janissaries (solders). Janissaries were subject to strict discipline, including celibacy, but could gain high-ranking privileges that were previously reserved for bureaucrats. They were the elite fighting force of the sultans. However, by the 18th century the former elite corps had become a corrupt political power and a serious treat to the sultanate. Whenever the Janissaries felt that their privileges were under threat, they rioted violently and no-one would challenge them. There is a large array of striking weapons on display ranging from 14th – 20th century helmets (for humans, camels, and horses); swords, and curved daggers carried at the waist by foot soldieries in the 15th century. These are ornamented with plant, flower, and geometric motifs in relief and silver filigree. Other exhibits include Ottoman shields made from cane and willow covered in silk thread, plus an array of other shields including those made from cowhide, Indian tortoiseshell, and alligator. A large collection of firearms is also displayed and the earliest versions of Gatling/machine guns. A moving portrayal of trench warfare was included in the section concerned with the ANZAC landings of 1915 at Chunuk Bair on the Gallipoli peninsula. The afternoon was topped off by a performance by the Mehter Band. The band was formed in the 14th century during the reign of Osman I. Until the 19th century, the musicians were Janissaries, who accompanied the sultan into battle and performed songs about hero-ancestors and battle victories. The band had a wide influence and is thought to have provided some inspiration for Mozart and Beethoven. Traveling Individuals Names: Jeff Cheske and Christine Bauman * Some of the descriptions are taken from the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide - Turkey