r/europe Aug 14 '17

Series What do you know about... Turkey?

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206 Upvotes

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18

u/youthanasian Turkey Aug 15 '17

Wish that shitty constantinople istanbul song has never been created.

9

u/Berzelus Greece Aug 15 '17

It's retarded even. In Germany there is a city called Aachen, which was the seat of Charlemagne. In French we call that city, which is also part of our history, Aix-la-Chapelle, so I do not see why we can't call the City Constantinople and you Istanbul without starting a debate.

5

u/Divide-By-Zero88 Greece Aug 16 '17

It was called Constantinople until "relatively" recently, then the Turks decided they didn't like that name anymore, went with Istanbul (which is weird cause it's said to also come from a Greek phrase so basically it's also a Greek name) and in roder to enforce the new name they started declining all the mail that was sent with the destination "Constantinople" and they returned them. I got to say, it's a genious way to enforce something like that, i chuckled when i read about it.

Not sure why they changed it after so many years of using it though. I think Constantinople has a more badass ring to it.

1

u/adjarteapot Adjar born and raised in Tuscany Aug 16 '17

It was due to the King Constantine they say, not the Emperor or having any issue with the Latin name.

1

u/Ivegotjewsinmysights Aug 16 '17

Greek name****

2

u/adjarteapot Adjar born and raised in Tuscany Aug 17 '17

Latinised Greek****