When you look at Istanbul, from Byzantium to the present day, it's striking how it has always been a city of the people, with a political voice, right from its early classical history.

Bettany Hughes’s quote emphasizes the enduring role of Istanbul as a vibrant center of political voice and public life. By tracing its history “from Byzantium to the present day,” she highlights the city’s unique continuity as a place where ordinary people have always played a role in shaping events. Unlike many ancient and modern cities that served only as backdrops for rulers, Istanbul has long been marked by the participation of its people in civic and political matters.

The meaning of her statement lies in recognizing the city as more than just a seat of empires. Hughes suggests that Istanbul’s identity has always been deeply tied to its citizens’ ability to express themselves, whether through protests, markets, religious gatherings, or political debates. Its classical history through to the Ottoman and modern Turkish periods reflects a consistent pattern: the people of the city have not been passive subjects but active participants in history.

The origin of this quote comes from Hughes’s work as a historian and broadcaster, particularly in her studies of the ancient and medieval Mediterranean world. Known for books such as Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities, she has often explored how geography, culture, and politics intersect in cities like Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul. Her remark reflects her broader effort to show how ordinary people, not just rulers and elites, shape the course of history.

Ultimately, Hughes’s words frame Istanbul as a city defined by resilience, diversity, and civic spirit. From ancient times to modern democracy movements, its history demonstrates the enduring power of public voice in shaping political and cultural life. Her quote reminds us that cities are not only monuments of rulers, but living communities where people have always found ways to be heard.