> Now imagine - it's the early 13th century. You're sitting inside the Hagia Sophia. Marble pillars rise up around you. Dusty light filters into the windows in the massive dome above.
The Hagia Sophia was also a great tool for the Byzantine Emperors to convert other leaders to Orthodox Christianity. There are stories of various leaders being so overcome by the experience of a mass in the Hagia Sophia that they embraced Orthodox Christianity and became allies of the emperor.
That basically works like the concept of "culture" in the Civilization video games. If you have more "culture" you gain all sorts of upper hands over the other players.
Seems like a very apt comparison. The spread of Christianity and Islam, including denominational conversions, works much the same today. In fact, in some places it's far more crass--fancy cars and huge televisions replace grandiose public buildings and fine art as symbols and enticements of a more civilized and prosperous life awaiting converts.
I don't mean to demean religion, it's just the reality of how mass conversions often work. You get pulled in by the fancy cars, but you stay for the social networks and economic opportunities.
The Hagia Sophia was also a great tool for the Byzantine Emperors to convert other leaders to Orthodox Christianity. There are stories of various leaders being so overcome by the experience of a mass in the Hagia Sophia that they embraced Orthodox Christianity and became allies of the emperor.