Introduction
Problem Statement
Life in the cities in certain periods is depicted by their arts, music, and literature. The Cities of Constantinople and Nashville are different from each other in terms of geographical location and inhabitants. Despite these differences, the two cities have things in common too. Both cities represent key events in their respective time periods; religion for Constantinople while music for Nashville. Identifying the ways by which the cities’ conditions (political, social, spiritual), as reflected in the arts, music, and literature, would enable the readers to gain a better understanding about these cities and its people. Thus, this study will also look into the cities’ structures, sculptors, and music.
Research Question
The central question that this research will answer is “What are the similarities and differences between the Cities of Constantinople in the Dark Ages and the Baby Boomer Generation in Nashville, Tennessee in the 1960s?” In particular, the following questions will be discussed by the study.
- What are the characteristics of the City of Constantinople in the 6th century?
- What are the characteristic of the City of Nashville in the 1960s?
- Who are the Christians in the Dark Ages?
- Who are the Baby Boomers Generation?
- What role did religion play in the flourishing art scene of Constantinople?
- How did music transform Nashville in the 1960s?
- What major art forms were produced in Constantinople during the Dark Ages?
- What kinds of music became most popular in Nashville in the 1960s? Who were the artists who performed frequently and what kinds of music did they play?
- What was the role of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople?
- What role did the Grand Ole Opry play in the development of the music industry in Nashville?
Theoretical Framework
This study proceeds from the idea that culture is all encompassing and would be reflected on the society’s practices and symbols. According to the definition of the anthropologist Edward Tylor, “culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, arts, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” In this paper, the arts and music produced in the cities of Constantinople and Nashville reflect the culture of their particular societies in the identified specific time periods.
Related Literature
Constantinople: the city and its residents
The City of Constantinople was founded by Constantine I in AD 330 as the new seat of the Roman Empire and is considered the “largest and most splendid European city of the Middle Ages” (Columbia, 2013). It was a well-fortified city and within its walls are magnificent structures including the church Hagia Sophia. The residents of Constantinople are called Byzantines, because the city is located above the town of Byzantium. In the 6th century, Constantinople , was mainly occupied by Christians. Constantine himself was converted to Christianity and during his reign, he raised Christianity to the level of permitted faith (Neobyzantine, 2005). Constantinople became the city of Istanbul, Turkey beginning 1930.
Nashville: the city and its residents
Nashville is currently the capital city of the State of Tennessee in the US. Nashville (originally Nashborough) was established as a town in 1784 with a population of 600 persons; and in 1806, it was declared a city (Finch, 2009, p.24).Over the centuries it had its share of disasters, such as the flood in 1912 and the fire in 1916 (p.31). Nashville is also known for its contributions to the civil rights movement, including the non-violent protests through the sit-ins in the 1960s launched by students. A major result of such protests was the opening of all public facilities to the entire public (both Blacks and Whites) in 1963. Nashville has established itself as a stable economy early on and although affected by the Great Depression in 1929, it was able to recover quickly during the war era. In the 1960s, the youths of Nashville belong to the Baby Boomer generation, those born in the years 1946-1964.
Methodology
Information about the cities of Constantinople and Nashville are derived from materials that are available online, mostly books and periodicals. There were also a few journal articles about the cities. The primary method used to gather the information was online research. In terms of analysis, this researcher studied the available materials in detail in order to cull out the necessary information for the analysis. A matrix identifying the areas to be analyzed was drawn. The different aspects that were compared were religion, socio-political situation, structures, arts, music, and literature. Using the available materials, this writer then noted down all the pertinent information for each aspect/category. The contents were analyzed and the similarities and differences identified.
Findings: Similarities and differences between Constantinople and Nashville
Strategies to address the city’s socio-political conditions
Both cities were at a period of turmoil in their respective countries. Constantinople was experiencing warfare and pestinence. In the middle of the 6th century, in the 540s, this city was in a period of crisis and near-disaster. The City of Nashville, like the rest of the US in the 1960s was also witnessing social and political unrest. This was in the case of the civil rights movement. Despite these conditions both cities remained strong, an attribute that resulted from effective leadership and assertive residents. Justinian 1, the emperor who ruled for 40 years was considered effective in his post. He was described as a “cultivated gentleman” who was “adept at theology, a mighty builder of churches, and a sponsor of the codification of Roman law” (Neobyzantine, 2005, para 7). One of the major contributions of Justinian I to the Roman empire was going into a diplomatic agreement with Persia for an “Endless Peace” (para 8). Negotiating for such peace required a considerable tribute to the Persian king.
In America, at the height of the civil rights movement, the Nashville way and the 1960s sit-ins were very much known. The Nashville way is a form of social etiquette governing the relationships between Blacks and Whites while the 1960s sit-ins was a non-violent direct action of Black people (Houston, 2012). It was in February 1960 that a series of demonstrations against racial segregation was carried out by black students , took place in downtown Nashville. The students who participated in these demonstrations, as well as the White youths, would already belong to the Baby Boomer generation. The protests was in the form of sit-ins wherein Black students occupy stools in the row of lunch counters which were otherwise denied to them as these were reserved for white patrons. The participants of the sit-ins experienced shoves, taunts, jabs, and being poured liquid but they did not attack. Once the police arrests a group, another batch would take over the empty stools, and this continued until the afternoon. The students did not retaliate but instead sang as they were brought to jail. They were later freed without bail. This non-violent protest by the students contributes much to the civil rights movement and was frequently mentioned by similar actions in other parts of the US, particularly in the South.
Thus, both cities played a major role in the growth of their societies. In Constantinople, Justinian I opted for the peace agreement instead of continuing military advances while the Black students of Nashville chose active non-violence instead of continuing confrontations between the Black and White populations.
Economic status of cities
Both Constantinople and Nashville were flourishing during the selected time periods. Constantinople benefitted from the effective leadership and administrative capacity of Justinian I. Despite the constant threat of wars, the city enjoyed economic prosperity. Nashville, in the 1960s was also a flourishing city. During the war, the area became the site for the “largest military training efforts” bringing in a lot of military personnel (Finch, 2009, p.32). Occupants of neighboring camps would also come to Nashville for entertainment because in the 1960s, the city has already become a music capital. It was also during this period that the city further strengthened its economic stability through the establishment of more insurance companies, additional radio stations and recording studios, and quite a number of health-care facilities . The 1960s was also the decade when the more churches were established in the city and Nashville became known as the “Buckle on the Bible Belt” and the “Protestant Vatican” (p.32).
Arts in Constantinople
Byzantine arts and architecture are important contributions of Constantinople to modern society. In the 6th century, the Church of Holy Wisdom or the Hagia Sophia was built in the city for a short period of five years only (532-537). This structure remains an important part of the city to this day. Hagia Sophia was considered the “greatest church [structure] in the world” back then (Hughes, 2006, p.390). It was quite impressive and “at the time it was built, it was the largest enclosed space in the world” (Ray, 2012, p.20). As regards Byzantine art, there are three categories that are used for discussion purposes. These are mosaic, paintings, and other arts. The mosaic are shown in the domes of the Hagia Sophia as well as in other churches in the city. Hagia Sophia would also showcase the Byzantine paintings which uses the encaustic technique for painting icons in the devotional panels of churches (Columbia, 2013).
Other forms of Byzantine arts are enamel, ivory, and metalwork. An example is the Barberini Diptych of the 6th century. This artwork shows
the emperor triumphant on horseback, with his spear in his right hand, while the bountiful Earth, her fruits spilling out of her lap, sits on the ground and supports his foot. In the panel below the emperor, exotically clad barbarians, accompanied by elephants, lions, and tigers, are offering their tribute. (Maguire, 2011, p. 135)
Music in Nashville
Nashville is known as the music city. The Grand Ole Opry contributes much to such an image because it has been showcasing the musical talents of the city several decades before the 1960s. During World War II, military personnel would come to Nashville during the weekends for entertainment (Finch 2009). Different kinds of music were played in Nashville. The city was also known to have the “Nashville Sound,” which is a “blend of country and pop” and became very popular beginning in the 1950s (Roughstock, 2009, n.p.). According to the Encyclopedia of Country Music (2012),
the Nashville Sound is a term that denotes a style of country music and an era in which that style was especially influential[it also describes] the relaxed, improvisational feel of any recording produced within the informal, good-humored atmosphere that pervades Nashville recording studios. (Encyclopedia of Country Music, 2012, n.p.)
Conclusion, Discussion, and Implications for Further Research
In this paper, the arts and music produced in the cities of Constantinople and Nashville reflect the culture of their particular societies in the identified specific time periods. The Hagia Sophia of Constantinople represents the popularity of icons, the focus on religion, and the need to fortify the city. In Nashville, the music scene, is a representation of the city’s role in the entertainment industry which was particularly important during the war period. However, the variety of the types of music performed in the Grand Ole Opry provide a venue for artists to express their responses to the existing social, political, and spiritual conditions that the city’s residents are experiencing.
The two cities are similar because both occupy an important role in their empire/countries. Constantinople was the seat of the Roman empire while Nashville had a huge contribution to the civil rights movement. Both cities were also stable economically. In terms of religion, Constantinople was the center of Christianity in that era. Meanwhile, Nashville was considered a religious center, both in the Catholic and Protestant faiths.
The current study is only an initial look to the arts and music produced by two cities. Focus on the works of the artists/musicians in Nashville can lead to a deeper understanding about the culture of the Baby Boomers. A more detailed investigation about specific Byzantine Arts would also enhance the students’ engagement with the cultural representations from the ancient times. The addition of categories for the comparisons is definitely expected to produce a more comprehensive study in the future.
References
Barber, John (2008). The Road from Eden: Studies in Christianity and Culture. Palo Alto, CA: Academica Press.
Columbia University.(2013). Byzantine art and architecture. Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, 1-2.
Finch, J.S. (2009). Nashville: Insider’s Guide. Guilford, CT: GlobePiquot.
Houston, B. (2012). The Nashville Way: Racial Etiquette and the Struggle for Social Justice in a Southern City. Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press.
Hughes, V. (2006). Shaken, not Stirred. Nature, 443 (7110), 390-391. Doi:1038/443390a.
Maguire, H. (2011). ‘Signs and symbols of your always victorious reign.’ The political ideology and meaning of falconry in Byzantium. In A. Lymberopoulou (ed.) Images of the Byzantine World: Visions, Messages, and Meanings: Studies presented to Leslie Brubaker. Surrey, England: Ashgate Publishing, pp.135-146.
Ray, W.D. (2012). Tasting Heaven on Earth: Worship in 6th Century Constantinople. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
