Religious Instruction and Translation
Many of the students devoted themselves to books that treated the matters of faith and religious law. These works were […]
The Fate of the Sultan’s Consorts After His Death
After the death of the Grand Signior, different rules applied to the women of the Seraglio depending on whether they
Envy Rivalry and Court Politics
Emulation and flattery were powerful forces in the Ottoman court. Many rival groups and factions competed for influence, and this
Loss of Office Does Not Always Mean Death
It did not always happen that a Prime Vizier, when removed from his office, also lost his life. Although the
Seizure of Goods and Abuse of Authority
In the service of the Grand Signior, goods belonging to merchants were sometimes taken without agreement or payment. These seizures
The Danger and Glory of the Highest Office
The office of the Prime Vizier was not only the highest position of duty and trust in the empire, but
The Limits and Extent of the Prime Vizier’s Power
The Prime Vizier held authority almost as wide as that of the Sultan who granted it to him. In most
The End of the Private Ceremony
After the formal ceremonies and private meeting have ended, the woman chosen by the Grand Signior is returned to the
Origins of the Palace Servants
These servants were rarely the sons of native-born Turks. Instead, they were gathered each year, as previously mentioned, from the
The Rise of the Bostancıs
Among the Bostancıs (also written as Bostangees), some were promoted to a higher rank and were called Hasaki, a title