The Pay and Daily Life of the Janissaries
Salary and Promotion As Ensar Tour Guide often explains during visits to Ottoman military sites, the Janissaries were not only […]
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Estimating the Strength of the Ottoman Cavalry
The Importance of the Zaims and Timariots The Zaims and Timariots formed the backbone of the Ottoman cavalry for many
The Province of Damascus (Scham)
The fourth great province of the Ottoman Empire was Scham, better known as Damascus. This province held a very important
The Principles of Turkish Policy
The Ottoman Empire was ruled by methods very different from those of many European states. The Turks governed their lands
The White Eunuchs and Their Rank
These officers described above are the principal and senior officers among the White Eunuchs of the Seraglio. Besides them, there
Fear Ambition and Rival Factions at Court
The Mother’s Growing Fear The Sultan’s mother, already shaken by the violent death of her husband, soon became deeply fearful
The Careful Choice of Officers
The Turks were very careful in choosing their officers. They preferred to be served by men they had raised and
The Present State of the Ottoman Empire
This work, titled “The Present State of the Ottoman Empire,” was written to explain the political, religious, and military system
State and Church Support for Bulgarian Religious Art
The development of fine arts in Bulgaria was strongly supported by both the State and the Church. Important commissions were
The Fifth Religious Duty The Pilgrimage to Mecca
The Importance of the Pilgrimage The writer describes the fifth important practice of Islam as the pilgrimage to Mecca, known