Tiglath Pileser
@tiglath-pileser1.bsky.social
Exploring the history of Byzantium, the Ottomans, and their neighbours — empires, borders, and the crossroads of civilizations.
Iznik tiles from the harem in Topkapi Palace.
📷 mine
📷 mine
December 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Iznik tiles from the harem in Topkapi Palace.
📷 mine
📷 mine
The famous Iznik tiles of the Topkapi Palace.
December 18, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The famous Iznik tiles of the Topkapi Palace.
Even the hotels in Istanbul look like they are about to welcome the Sultan.
December 16, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Even the hotels in Istanbul look like they are about to welcome the Sultan.
The Venetians and Ottomans are at it again.
The Battle of Zonchio (1499) by an unknown Venetian artist (British Museum)
The Battle of Zonchio (1499) by an unknown Venetian artist (British Museum)
December 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
The Venetians and Ottomans are at it again.
The Battle of Zonchio (1499) by an unknown Venetian artist (British Museum)
The Battle of Zonchio (1499) by an unknown Venetian artist (British Museum)
A group of female musicians playing traditional instruments, in an Ottoman miniature painting from the book Surname-i Vehbi, written by Seyyid Vehbi (1793).
December 13, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A group of female musicians playing traditional instruments, in an Ottoman miniature painting from the book Surname-i Vehbi, written by Seyyid Vehbi (1793).
Looking to get a circumcision? Hire these guys.
Miniature of dancers and musicians performing at a circumcision ceremony. From the Süleymanname.
Miniature of dancers and musicians performing at a circumcision ceremony. From the Süleymanname.
December 13, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Looking to get a circumcision? Hire these guys.
Miniature of dancers and musicians performing at a circumcision ceremony. From the Süleymanname.
Miniature of dancers and musicians performing at a circumcision ceremony. From the Süleymanname.
“On their side are the resources of a mighty empire, strength unimpaired, experience and practice in fighting, a veteran soldiery, habituation to victory, endurance of toil, unity, order, discipline, frugality and watchfulness,”
Ogier Ghiselan de Busbecq
📷 By Levni
Ogier Ghiselan de Busbecq
📷 By Levni
December 12, 2025 at 1:17 PM
“On their side are the resources of a mighty empire, strength unimpaired, experience and practice in fighting, a veteran soldiery, habituation to victory, endurance of toil, unity, order, discipline, frugality and watchfulness,”
Ogier Ghiselan de Busbecq
📷 By Levni
Ogier Ghiselan de Busbecq
📷 By Levni
A yatagan made in 1526–27 for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent by court jeweler Ahmed Tekel.
Its blade shows a dramatic dragon vs. phoenix in gold, framed by foliate scrolls—motifs inspired by Chinese art and carried into Ottoman design through Persian contacts.
📷 Met Museum
Its blade shows a dramatic dragon vs. phoenix in gold, framed by foliate scrolls—motifs inspired by Chinese art and carried into Ottoman design through Persian contacts.
📷 Met Museum
December 10, 2025 at 12:47 PM
A yatagan made in 1526–27 for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent by court jeweler Ahmed Tekel.
Its blade shows a dramatic dragon vs. phoenix in gold, framed by foliate scrolls—motifs inspired by Chinese art and carried into Ottoman design through Persian contacts.
📷 Met Museum
Its blade shows a dramatic dragon vs. phoenix in gold, framed by foliate scrolls—motifs inspired by Chinese art and carried into Ottoman design through Persian contacts.
📷 Met Museum
Short Sword from the Court of Süleyman the Magnificent (reigned 1520–66)
📷 Met Collection
📷 Met Collection
December 9, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Short Sword from the Court of Süleyman the Magnificent (reigned 1520–66)
📷 Met Collection
📷 Met Collection
Short Sword from the Court of Süleyman the Magnificent (reigned 1520–66)
📷 Mine
📷 Mine
December 9, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Short Sword from the Court of Süleyman the Magnificent (reigned 1520–66)
📷 Mine
📷 Mine
Thomas Cromwell Book of Hours - Hever Castle.
📷 mine
📷 mine
December 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Thomas Cromwell Book of Hours - Hever Castle.
📷 mine
📷 mine
Ever wondered why the Ottomans were so victorious in war?
📷 By Tim Sheerman-Chase
📷 By Tim Sheerman-Chase
December 8, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Ever wondered why the Ottomans were so victorious in war?
📷 By Tim Sheerman-Chase
📷 By Tim Sheerman-Chase
The Throne of Maximian—a 6th-century episcopal seat made for Archbishop Maximianus of Ravenna. It was carved in the Greek East of the Byzantine world before being shipped to Italy, though scholars still debate whether it came from Constantinople or Alexandria.
📷 mine
📷 mine
December 6, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The Throne of Maximian—a 6th-century episcopal seat made for Archbishop Maximianus of Ravenna. It was carved in the Greek East of the Byzantine world before being shipped to Italy, though scholars still debate whether it came from Constantinople or Alexandria.
📷 mine
📷 mine
The Throne of Maximian (made for Archbishop Maximianus of Ravenna) is an ornate 6th-century episcopal seat now displayed in Ravenna’s Archiepiscopal Museum. It was carved somewhere in the Greek East of the Byzantine Empire, then shipped to Italy.
📷 mine
📷 mine
December 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The Throne of Maximian (made for Archbishop Maximianus of Ravenna) is an ornate 6th-century episcopal seat now displayed in Ravenna’s Archiepiscopal Museum. It was carved somewhere in the Greek East of the Byzantine Empire, then shipped to Italy.
📷 mine
📷 mine
Basílica de S. Marcos, Venice - never gets dull
December 1, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Basílica de S. Marcos, Venice - never gets dull
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul. Favoured by Sultans and tourists.
📷 By Carlos Delgado,
📷 By Carlos Delgado,
November 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul. Favoured by Sultans and tourists.
📷 By Carlos Delgado,
📷 By Carlos Delgado,
Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul.
📷 mine
📷 mine
November 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul.
📷 mine
📷 mine
Hagia Sophia - "Preachers' Platform" added after the Ottoman conquest.
📷 mine
📷 mine
November 28, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Hagia Sophia - "Preachers' Platform" added after the Ottoman conquest.
📷 mine
📷 mine
Interior of Hagia Sophia
📷 mine
📷 mine
November 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Interior of Hagia Sophia
📷 mine
📷 mine
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
Now on view at The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 453.
The Museum holds eight surviving folios from this dispersed Qur'an. Completed in 1137 CE, the manuscript features text in eastern kufic with touches of naskh, adorned with luminous foliate scrolls.
📷 Met Museum
Now on view at The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 453.
The Museum holds eight surviving folios from this dispersed Qur'an. Completed in 1137 CE, the manuscript features text in eastern kufic with touches of naskh, adorned with luminous foliate scrolls.
📷 Met Museum
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
Now on view at The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 453.
The Museum holds eight surviving folios from this dispersed Qur'an. Completed in 1137 CE, the manuscript features text in eastern kufic with touches of naskh, adorned with luminous foliate scrolls.
📷 Met Museum
Now on view at The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 453.
The Museum holds eight surviving folios from this dispersed Qur'an. Completed in 1137 CE, the manuscript features text in eastern kufic with touches of naskh, adorned with luminous foliate scrolls.
📷 Met Museum
Just another Istanbul view.
November 26, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Just another Istanbul view.
The walls of Theodosius - still standing.
November 26, 2025 at 8:57 AM
The walls of Theodosius - still standing.
Random ginger cat.
November 26, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Random ginger cat.
Santo Stefano, Bologna — Part of the historic Complex of the Seven Churches, this ancient site is definitely worth a visit. It includes one of the city's earliest churches and offers a fascinating look at Bologna’s religious heritage.
📷 mine
📷 mine
November 23, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Santo Stefano, Bologna — Part of the historic Complex of the Seven Churches, this ancient site is definitely worth a visit. It includes one of the city's earliest churches and offers a fascinating look at Bologna’s religious heritage.
📷 mine
📷 mine
Flashback to Italian Breakfast.
📷 mine
📷 mine
November 22, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Flashback to Italian Breakfast.
📷 mine
📷 mine