Latest / The Story of Turkey: From Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire to Today — Fexingo History
The Ottoman Banker Who Saved the Empire
In this episode, we uncover the extraordinary life of Calouste Gulbenkian, known as Mr. Five Percent, and his pivotal role in shaping the modern Middle East’s energy landscape. Born into an Armenian family in Constantinople during the late nineteenth century, Gulbenkian rose from a modest background to become one of the most powerful figures in global finance and diplomacy. We explore how he navigated the treacherous waters of the declining Ottoman Empire, leveraging his linguistic skills and business acumen to broker deals between British, French, and Russian interests. The conversation…
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