The Ottoman Court as a Gilded Prison
A Court That Resembles a Prison Anyone who carefully observes the Ottoman court will soon discover that it is, in […]
The Corruption of Bektas Aga
False Wealth and Debased Coinage On the opposite side stood Bektas Aga, who felt completely secure in his position and
The Fear of the Young Sultan
When the danger became clear, the Grand Signior, who was still a child, broke down in fear and sorrow. He
The Return of the Stolen Jewels
Fearing that the jewels he had taken were meant to be worn only by the Grand Signior, Ali Bojiangi decided
The Crowd Restrained but Not Calmed
This action restrained the boldness of some who had been ready to lay violent hands upon the woman. Yet the
The Queen’s Final Plea for Mercy
“O brave man, be not cruel to me,” the Old Queen cried out in a trembling voice. She begged for
A Great Gathering of Armed Men
In a very short time, the gathering of people became extremely large. So many armed men arrived that the gardens
Alarm Spreads Through the Seraglio
In the midst of this fear and confusion, a guard of Black and White Eunuchs came quickly to the door
The Emperor’s Power Within and Beyond the Law
Power That Appears Limited, Yet Is Not It may be said that the Emperor cannot truly be called a prisoner,
The Vizier Faces the Janissary Leaders
A Cold and Calculated Reception When the Grand Vizier arrived at the mosque, Bektas Aga did not come forward to