'Istanbul was Constantinople' The Four Lads may not feature on many bibliographies on the history of the great imperial city of Constantinople. But they were spot on.
'Istanbul was Constantinople', they sang, entirely accurately. 'Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople'; correct again.
'Why did Constantinople get the works?' they mused; 'That's nobody's business but the Turks'
It's a classic - an all time great, and required listening (you can click on the link above and listen as you read if you like).
Despite the wisdom of the Four Lads, though, some things never change. The inhabitants of the great city nestled on the banks of the Bosphorus have been up in arms, protesting against the heavy-handed and bloody-mindedness of the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It is the latest in a long and proud line of civic disobedience that stretches back to the early 4th century when the city was magnificently endowed by the Emperor Constantine.
'Istanbul was Constantinople', they sang, entirely accurately. 'Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople'; correct again.
'Why did Constantinople get the works?' they mused; 'That's nobody's business but the Turks'
It's a classic - an all time great, and required listening (you can click on the link above and listen as you read if you like).
Despite the wisdom of the Four Lads, though, some things never change. The inhabitants of the great city nestled on the banks of the Bosphorus have been up in arms, protesting against the heavy-handed and bloody-mindedness of the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It is the latest in a long and proud line of civic disobedience that stretches back to the early 4th century when the city was magnificently endowed by the Emperor Constantine.
Room with a view As Byzantine Emperors and Turkish sultans learned from experience, when crowds take to the streets of the city, it was time to listen. Erdoğan is not interested; it's all the fault of 'provocateurs' and 'social media', he claims. He should study his history.
If he had, he'd quickly learn about the Stylites of Constantinople, men who would climb to the top of a column to be closer to God, and to demonstrate their devotion through their asceticism. Some, like Daniel in the 5th century, took up position by the harbour, so those journeying in and out of the city could see him literally standing up for what he believed in. People would shout up questions to him - and he'd answer, impressing all with his simple advice.
If he had, he'd quickly learn about the Stylites of Constantinople, men who would climb to the top of a column to be closer to God, and to demonstrate their devotion through their asceticism. Some, like Daniel in the 5th century, took up position by the harbour, so those journeying in and out of the city could see him literally standing up for what he believed in. People would shout up questions to him - and he'd answer, impressing all with his simple advice.
'The Standing Man' For all those who say history does not repeat itself, how wonderful to see that after being swamped with tear gas, the protesters in Istanbul have reverted to old tradition of making a stand.
The symbol of the recent protests is none other than a modern day stylite - dubbed the standing man.
The symbol of the recent protests is none other than a modern day stylite - dubbed the standing man.
New Day, New Outfit. Same pose He stands still, silently (occasionally disappearing to change his outfit); his aim is to make a pacific and ascetic protest against the powers that be. He will hold his ground, and do so proudly, quietly and without a fuss. The stylites of old would be proud of him - and delighted to see their traditions being re-adopted, even if the spiritual side is rather watered down.
Even better, clusters of new standing figures have now joined him. This happened too with popular stylites in the old days, with others setting up columns near by (I might be wrong, but suspect this was really annoying for the first holy man who got in to position; I bet there was a lot of the silent treatment for new arrivals until they proved themselves). And despite what they say, size did matter - what was worse than another stylite joining the party? A stylite with a bigger column, that's what.
Standing Men
A shame then that instead of perching on top of a column (needs planning permission; not very robust against a high-pressure water cannon etc), the protestors are showing solidarity by standing still and silent, united by matching T-Shirts. If anyone wants to send me one, I'll put it on and find a suitably lofty location in the dreaming spires of Oxford - and show them how it's done old school. | 
A Gang of Stylites in the 'hood
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