The Education of Young Men in the Seraglio
In the Ottoman Empire, the education of young men in the Seraglio (the royal palace) was carefully organized to prepare […]
Affection and Attachment Among Women
According to early observers, strong emotional attachments were also said to exist among women within Ottoman society. These writers claimed
The Arz Agalar and Their Special Role
There were nine officers in the Seraglio known as the Arz Agalar. These men held a special privilege: they were
Prohibition of the Art of Printing
The art of printing, a subject long debated as to whether it has brought more benefit or harm to the
The Rank Below the Grand Vizier
Next in authority after the Grand Vizier, also called the Vizier Azem or First Vizier, are the officials known as
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 Vast Wealth of a Greedy Vizier
If a Grand Vizier is naturally careful with money and used to living frugally, he often decides to lose nothing
Complaints Against Corrupt Officers
The dervish continued his complaint by saying that the officers responsible for public order were careless and negligent in correcting
The Annual Tribute of Moldavia
The following account of Moldavia’s tribute was reported by a man who had worked for many years as an agent
The Sultan’s Table at the Vizier’s Expense
The Grand Signior often demands twenty dishes of meat, which is the usual amount served at his ordinary table. On