The Organization of the Women’s Chambers
Just as the Pages of the Seraglio are divided into two chambers, so too are the young women divided into […]
Officers Serving the Queen Mother
Among the Black Eunuchs, several officers are assigned specifically to the service of the Queen Mother, whose household is one
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
Officers of the Seraglio and Their Duties
Within the Seraglio of the Ottoman Sultan, many important officers served under the chief eunuchs. Each had a defined role
Of the Eunuchs in the Ottoman Court
Among the customs of Eastern courts, the use of eunuchs was long established and widely accepted. This practice arose from
Seizure of Goods and Abuse of Authority
In the service of the Grand Signior, goods belonging to merchants were sometimes taken without agreement or payment. These seizures
The Limits and Extent of the Prime Vizier’s Power
The Prime Vizier held authority almost as wide as that of the Sultan who granted it to him. In most
The Prime Vizier’s Procession to the Divan
When the Prime Vizier went to the Divan, which was a chamber inside the Seraglio palace, he was accompanied by
The State and Splendor of the Prime Vizier
The Prime Vizier lived in a manner that matched the honor of the Sultan whom he represented. His household was
The Origin of the Office of the First Vizier
The first clear example in history of the office of the First Vizier can be found during the reign of