Latest / The Story of Armenia: Survival Through Empires and Genocide — Fexingo History / The Armenians of Constantinople: An Ottoman Elite
Transcript
- Lucas: So today we're zooming in on a part of Armenian history that's often overshadowed by the genocide — but it's essential to understanding what was lost. I'm talking about the Armenian community of Constantinople, the Ottoman capital. Luna: I know there were Armenians in Istanbul, but I didn't realize they were such a big deal. Lucas: Oh, they were enormous. By the late 19th century, there were over 150,000 Armenians in the city, maybe more. They weren't just a minority — they were a pillar of the Ottoman economy and culture. Lucas: Before we go too deep — if you're finding these conversations useful, just know that the reason we can keep this show ad-free is listener support. People like you who enjoy the show and decide to chip in at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It's that simple, and it makes a real difference. Luna: Yeah, I think it's worth mentioning — it keeps us independent. Lucas: Exactly. So back to Constantinople. The Armenian community there was really two worlds. On one side, you had the amira — a class of wealthy banker-diplomats who were deeply embedded in the Ottoman court. Luna: Amira — that's a term I've heard but never fully understood. Lucas: It comes from the Armenian word for 'lord' — and these guys really were lords. They managed the empire's finances, built its grandest buildings, and even served as ambassadors. The Balyan family alone designed the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque, and dozens of other landmarks you'd recognize in Istanbul today. Lucas: But the amira weren't the whole story. There was also a growing intelligentsia — teachers, journalists, poets — who wanted more representation and modern rights. And that created tension within the community. Luna: So it's like an internal class struggle, playing out alongside the broader Ottoman reforms. Lucas: Exactly. And the Tanzimat reforms in the mid-1800s opened the door for change. In 1863, the Armenian community got a constitution — the Armenian National Constitution — which established an elected assembly to manage religious, educational, and charitable affairs. It was a big step toward self-governance within the millet system. Lucas: But even that constitution was a battleground. The amira wanted to keep control, while the intelligentsia pushed for democratic representation. And the Ottoman authorities sometimes played both sides. Luna: Did the constitution actually work? Or was it more symbolic? Lucas: It worked, for a while. The assembly met regularly, oversaw schools and hospitals, and gave Armenians a real voice. But its power eroded under Sultan Abdul Hamid II, who centralised authority and stoked ethnic tensions. Lucas: One of the most fascinating figures from this period is Bedros Tourian. He was a poet who died at 22, but his works captured the mood of a community caught between tradition and modernity. He wrote in Western Armenian, and his verses are still remembered. Luna: Was he part of the intelligentsia then? Lucas: Yes, very much. And he wasn't alone. There was a vibrant press — newspapers like Arevelk and Hairenik — that debated everything from socialism to nationalism. This was a community that was politically alive, even as the Hamidian massacres of the 1890s began to target them. Lucas: The amira tried to protect their position by staying loyal to the sultan, but that became harder as violence escalated. Many of them eventually supported the Young Turk revolution in 1908, hoping for equality under a constitutional government. Luna: And we know how that turned out. Lucas: Right. The same Young Turks who promised brotherhood would later orchestrate the genocide. But in 1908, the Armenians of Constantinople celebrated in the streets — they thought a new era had begun. Lucas: There's one more figure I want to mention: Mkrtich Achemian. He was a banker and philanthropist who funded Armenian schools and hospitals. He represents the amira at their best — using wealth to strengthen the community. Luna: So he was like a bridge between the elite and the ordinary people? Lucas: Exactly. And that bridge was crucial because after the genocide, the Constantinople Armenian community was devastated. Many were deported or killed. But the survivors who returned rebuilt — and to this day, there's still a small but vibrant Armenian presence in Istanbul. Luna: That's incredible resilience. Lucas: It is. And it's a reminder that Armenian history isn't just about loss — it's also about the worlds they built, the art they created, and the institutions they sustained for centuries.