The Hebdomon as an Imperial Retreat
The first historical writer who mentions the Hebdomon by name describes it as an imperial country retreat, a place where Byzantine emperors enjoyed spending...
Triumphs and the Role of the Hebdomon
Only one triumphal procession is clearly described in historical sources as beginning at the Hebdomon—the triumph of Emperor Basil I. However, it is highly...
Homage of the State Dignitaries
After the emperor had been publicly proclaimed and invested with authority, the highest dignitaries of the State advanced toward him. They approached one by...
The Most Treasured Semi-Precious Stones of Turkey
Turkey is home to many beautiful and rare gemstones. Among them, six semi-precious stones stand out because of their abundance, unique properties, and traditional...
Sepiolite The Soft White Stone of Eskişehir
Sepiolite, also known as meerschaum, is a soft, white mineral made of magnesium and silicon. Its chemical formula is Mg₄Si₆O₁₅(OH)₂·6H₂O. It usually appears as...
Chrysoprase The Green Gemstone of Turkey
Chrysoprase (also called chrysoprasus) is a beautiful green gemstone that belongs to the chalcedony family. Its green color comes from small amounts of nickel...
