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 […]
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
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 Silent Language of the Ottoman Court
One of the most unusual features of the Ottoman court was the use of mutes, whose language of signs was
Affection and Attachment Among Women
According to early observers, strong emotional attachments were also said to exist among women within Ottoman society. These writers claimed
Favoritism Among the Ottoman Rulers
Historical writers often claimed that even the Grand Signiors themselves were not free from strong personal passions. According to these
The Limits of Turkish Philosophy
From what has been described so far, the reader may understand the general depth of Turkish philosophy as it was
Prohibition of the Art of Printing
The art of printing, a subject long debated as to whether it has brought more benefit or harm to the
Uncertainty of Power and Failed Predictions
Astrological predictions concerning the unstable condition of great ministers were rarely accurate or pleasing. Those who practiced such forecasting often
Religious Instruction and Translation
Many of the students devoted themselves to books that treated the matters of faith and religious law. These works were