Pick 2 out of 3 essays:

1.) the hagia sophia in istanbul is one of the most studied and influential structures ever built. explain in a well-constructed essay what made this building so unique and special?

2.) many empires have captured the land that istanbul (constantinople, byzantium, nova roma) stands on today. explain in a well-constructed essay, discuss the advantages this location has and why it was so coveted by many the empires that inhabited it.

3.) both the byzantine and ottoman empires were among the largest and most powerful empires in history. how did these empires develop and become so powerful? how did these once mighty empires fall?