Invaders from the East

They came from far in the East, thousands of miles away.

And they took over a land that did not previously belong to them.

Their arrival changed the religious, cultural, and political makeup of the territory dramatically.

Is this right? How should we view something like this, when it happened hundreds of years ago – indeed, more than half a millennium ago?

Does it matter whether you think I am talking about America, or Turkey?

I’m considering developing a short term summer study abroad experience to Turkey. It is a great place to look at ancient Christian history, and a great place to learn about modern Islam.

But I wonder whether there might not be other things that American students can learn by reflecting on the similarities and differences between that nation and their own.

Photo from the Neptune Shipping Agency website.