Admission to the Schools
When the youths are admitted to the Seraglio, they are placed in one of two schools, called Oda. These are
Discipline and Obedience
The Turks believe that those who know how to obey are best prepared to govern. At first, young men in
The Imperial Seat of the Ottoman Emperors
The Ottoman Emperors’ court included three main schools or colleges of education for young men who were destined to serve
The Attendance of Young Men in the Courts
In the courts of the great men of the Ottoman Empire, it was customary for their personal attendants to be
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
Lessons for Christians
From the example of the Turks, all Christians can learn an important lesson about obedience and law. The Turks show
The Danger of Unlimited Power
From these events, we can observe a general truth: those who hold unlimited power are always at risk. Their power
Kara Chiaus and the Assault
During this time, Kara Chiaus, with 200 men, had retreated into his garden. He was soon attacked by an Aga
The Traitor’s Hairs and Ambition
These are the hairs of the traitor Kulkahya, a man who once boasted that before losing his head, there would
Confusion Among the Officers
The city was thrown into confusion and division. The officers and soldiers were uncertain about what to do next, and