Rome vs. Istanbul

For my comparative analysis of Rome and Istanbul, I decided to chose two of the most ancient and perhaps notable sites from both cities:  the Pantheon and Hagia Sophia.  In my mind, both of these ancient Roman sites are important for their changing historical roles and their importance as landmarks.  I think these sites represent much of the history of both cities and provide a valuable source of insight for historical and artistic comparison.

The Pantheon in and of itself is an amazing feat of physical design and structural integrity.  It represents the Roman transition from Paganism to Christianity.  Additionally, it shows how Rome continues to live as a functioning modern day church.

Hagia Sophia is comparably a miracle of engineering and an ancient landmark of the Roman city of Constantinople of the modern city of Istanbul.  In contrast to the Pantheon, it represents the transition of Istanbul from a Christian city to a Muslim city to, now, a secular city.  Again, Hagia Sophia shows how a city has changed over time.

To me, there is an interesting cultural and social difference between the two cities—it’s in their mentality.  Both cities have their own personality which is deeply shaped by the mannerisms, customs, and beliefs of their peoples.  Rome is an old capital of wealth, power, fame, fortune, and importance.  It was the basis for the Roman Empire and still serves as the head of the Catholic Church.  A religion-power relationship flows through its veins.  In Pagan times, imperial power was worshiped and marked through elaborate and enormous displays of power—like Emperor Hadrian’s Pantheon.  As the city became the capital of Christendom, so did its famous buildings and landmarks.  Its people and politics were shaped by the church for over a thousand years.  Today that power is changing with a secularizing Italian nation and a reformed Catholic church which is focused more on spirituality than on politics.  And, this is apparent after a visit to the Pantheon, which has become more of a tourist headquarters than a site of pilgrimage and worship.  But, it is also a place where history lives—where Pagan symbols are still present, where the mass is still said, and where, everyday, a small crowd of the faithful still gather for worship.

Hagia Sophia is much the same.  Perhaps one of the most notable things about this now museum are the minarets towering high above the site.  From a distance, the ancient site looks like it only ever was a Mosque.  But, the history inside is indicative of the historical and artistic changes that took place over nearly two thousand years in one city with two names. Marking the transition from a bustling Christian Roman capital to a Muslim Ottoman sultanate to a modern secular Turkey, Hagia Sophia allows visitors from all around the world to look through a window on history.

Both sites are strikingly beautiful.  The first image shows the astounding concrete dome and oculus of the Pantheon and the second shows the scalloped brick and mortar structure of Hagia Sophia.  The vaulted coffers of the Pantheon are indicative of ancient Roman architecture, but are also important because they resemble what later became the basilica style domes of Christian churches.  The sheer size, weight, and volume of the Pantheon’s dome is also indicative of the importance of science and engineering in Roman design.

The second image shows the ornate interior of the once basilica, once mosque dome of Hagia Sophia.  This dome is indicative of these transitions because of the choice of artwork.  In contrast with the plain, elegant, simple Roman design; Hagia Sophia is artistically complex.  Originally decorated with Christian mosaics, these were covered up when the building was transitioned into a mosque and replaced with Arabic Quran verses. 

There are so many things to note about Istanbul and Rome that it would be impossible to describe all of these observations here or all of the ways in which these two structures embody and characterize these comparisons.  But, they should be admired for their historical significance, artistic importance, and modern day symbolism.