BBC Teachers - The Beauty of MapsWorksheet 2: Constantinople

BBC Teachers BBC©2010bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers

Draw a line from the text box to the place it is describing on the map. Task

Constantinople is now called Istanbul and is the capital city of Turkey.

The oversized European and Turkish ships show the importance of trade to the city.

There are some mistakes. For example, the army barracks should be on the opposite side of the city.

The Ottoman ruler, Suleiman the Magnificent, sits grandly on his horse surrounded by royal soldiers. This and the 12 portraits of previous rulers stress the importance of the ruling family.

The skyline shows tall, grand public and religious buildings.

The bright colours are the result of colours being applied after the drawing was printed. The new cooper plate printing process made maps more affordable and widely available. The middle classes brought these maps as works of art.

BBC Teachers - The Beauty of MapsWorksheet 2: Constantinople

BBC Teachers BBC©2010bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers

What can historians learn from the map of Constantinople? Use the information that you have labeled on your map to find a piece of evidence that matches the explanations below. In some cases their may be two pieces of evidence.

We can learn from the Map that: Evidence to support this view:

Shipping trade is very important to the city

The rulers of the city were growing in wealth which they used to build large buildings.

The Ruler wanted foreigners to see they were rich enough to have an army to defend the city.

Religion was important

They wanted to encourage people to visit

People had knowledge of advanced scientific processes

The Ruler wanted to show that his family had a right to rule and that he came from a family of rulers which implied the city was a safe place to be.

BBC Teachers - The Beauty of MapsWorksheet 2: Constantinople

BBC Teachers BBC©2010bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers

What were the main priorities of the map makers of the 16th Century?You need to look at the priorities below. Number the list below to show your order of importance.

The map was made to give an accurate view of the geography of the city.

The map was created as a piece of art.

The map was made to show foreigners the wonders of the city.

The map was made to encourage people to trade.

The map was made to encourage people to visit.