The True Story of Sultan Mehmed II and Hagia Sophia

Did Sultan Mehmed II bring Hagia Sophia from Christians?

Historical records often paint a complex picture of the conversion of Hagia Sophia from a Byzantine church to a mosque. The narrative often leaves out some important context, leading to misunderstandings. To clarify, Hagia Sophia was not taken in the sense that it was brought or stolen, but rather converted following the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II.

Byzantines, Not Christians Surviving the Conquest

It is crucial to distinguish between Christians and Byzantines. The people who lived in and around the Hagia Sophia were not just Christians. They were Byzantines, an Empire with its own culture, military, and government. Unfortunately, when Constantinople fell, the Byzantines survived the conquest, but the institution that controlled Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine Church, did not.

Justinian and Hagia Sophia

It is important to note that Hagia Sophia had been under the control of the Byzantine Empire for centuries, and was built under the reign of Emperor Justinian. When Mehmed II conquered Constantinople, he did not bring Hagia Sophia; he took control of it, a structure that had already been standing for over 900 years when it was converted into a mosque.

The Power Play and Public Demonstration

Mehmed II was not simply dealing with the church. The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque was a public demonstration of Ottoman power and a strategic move to assert dominance. The idea that he would try to negotiation the price or terms would have undermined the entire point of the conquest – to show that the Ottomans had gained control over one of the most significant symbols of Byzantine Christianity.

It is also critical to remember that the idea of Orthodox bishops trading their greatest monuments for money is a fantastical notion. Any such transaction would have been met with resistance and likely violent opposition from the community. The Patriarch of Constantinople and his bishops would have been in no position to negotiate away their cultural and religious heritage.

How the Conversion Actually Occurred

Technically, Sultan Mehmed II conquered Hagia Sophia from the remnants of the Roman Empire. The act of conversion was a simple declaration following the conquest. His army, returning from weeks of siege, disheartened, embittered, and utterly victorious, likely indulged in the violent and destructive behavior often associated with warfare. Once the initial looting, raping, and killing subsided, Mehmed declared that Hagia Sophia would become a mosque, and he performed a prayer in the newly-conquered space.

This conversion is not about noble or righteous deeds, but rather a reflection of human behavior and the violence that comes with war. The Hagia Sophia's transformation was a symbol of the new era brought about by the Ottoman conquest.

To sum up, Sultan Mehmed II did not bring Hagia Sophia from Christians but rather took control of it following the fall of Constantinople. The conversion was a significant political and religious move, reflecting the power and authority of the Ottoman Empire.

While some may view this as inappropriate or offensive, it is important to approach history with an open and understanding mind. Understanding how events such as the conquest and conversion of Hagia Sophia occurred can help us better comprehend the complexities of historical interactions and the human experiences that shaped these events.