A Humble Man in Trouble
Among those affected by the shortage of meat was a dervish, who worked as a cook for a chamber of […]
Complaints Against Corrupt Officers
The dervish continued his complaint by saying that the officers responsible for public order were careless and negligent in correcting
Honor and Humility in Ottoman Thought
Among the Turks, it was not considered shameful to move down from the highest positions of honor and command to
The Official Income of the Grand Vizier
The official revenues of the Grand Vizier, which come directly from the Crown and are fixed parts of the office,
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
War as a Means of Survival for a Vizier
According to Ottoman political thought, the only likely way for a weak or unstable Prime Vizier to protect himself was
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 Annual Tribute to the Sultan
From the time of the first agreement, the tribute of Ragusa continued without interruption. Every year, in the month of
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
Absolute Obedience to the Sultan
Another result of this strict system of government was the complete obedience shown to the Grand Signior, or Sultan. Great