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An astute Internet sleuth from AR15.com spotted a unique moment on Google’s StreetView road imaging service. In Iznik, Turkey (also known my the ancient name of Nicaea), four kids were caught doing what kids do – plinking targets with airguns. Using what appears to be break action, spring loaded airguns (aka “Springers”), Google’s camera-laden vehicle interrupts the group mid shot and preserves it for the online world.
What makes the images even more interesting is that the boys are shooting over one of the walls of Nicaea – a centuries old ancient fortress with historical significance reaching back to the Roman times. The scene is an awesome juxtaposition of time, technology and weaponry that is now also preserved for future eyes.
Or, you know, it’s just a bunch of kids out enjoying some trigger-time in the sun.
Google StreetView Interupts Kids Target Practice In Nicaea Ruins
The Walls Of Nicaea
Around the end of November 117 AD, after crossing the plateau of central Bithynia, Hadrian arrived in Nicaea (modern Iznik), one of the most important towns of the Bithynian province. From Juliopolis, where he had stayed on November 11, (see previous post here) the imperial party marched west along the river Sangarius and entered Nicaea through its eastern gate. – Credit: FollowingHadrian.com
Iznik, Turkey
The town is situated with its west wall rising from the lake itself, providing both protection from siege from that direction, as well as a source of supplies which would be difficult to cut off. The lake is large enough that it cannot be blockaded from the land easily, and the city was large enough to make any attempt to reach the harbour from shore-based siege weapons very difficult.
The city was surrounded on all sides by 5 km (3 mi) of walls about 10 m (33 ft) high. These were in turn surrounded by a double ditch on the land portions, and also included over 100 towers in various locations. Large gates on the three landbound sides of the walls provided the only entrance to the city.
Today the walls are pierced in many places for roads, but much of the early work survives and as a result it is a tourist destination. The town has a population of about 15,000.
Original credit and thanks: ‘Mattja’ AR15.com
