Ambassadors from Distant Lands
Ambassadors from distant countries, whose main goal was to promote trade and commerce—such as those from England, France, and the
The Importance of Diplomacy
No nation in the world, however different or “barbarous” it might seem, ever ignored the role of ambassadors. Diplomacy has
Christian Soldiers under Ottoman Rule
In regions under the control of the Ottoman Empire, Christian subjects often served in the military under their local princes,
The Influence of Turkish Fashion
A wise observer noted how Greek and Armenian Christians often imitate Turkish clothing and customs. They try to look as
The Influence of Fashion and Appearance
One of the main reasons ordinary people were persuaded to become Turks was the attraction of outward appearances. People are
The Role of Slaves in the Ottoman Empire
Every day, ships arrived from the Black Sea carrying captives, as we mentioned earlier. Considering the effects of the plague
The Slave Trade in Constantinople
It was common to see ships, called Sayres or Turkish vessels, passing through the Bosphorus, carrying Christian captives of all
Open Profession of the Christian Faith
In spite of tyranny and many clever plans made against it, the Christian faith continued to be openly professed in
Converts Who Became Zealous Turks
Many of those who converted to Islam did not remain half-hearted believers. Over time, they became fully part of Turkish
The Roman Example of Citizenship
The Romans clearly understood the advantage of welcoming foreigners into their state. They created a law called jus civitatis, which