Astrological predictions concerning the unstable condition of great ministers were rarely accurate or pleasing. Those who practiced such forecasting often produced stories that brought little comfort or satisfaction. The frequent rise and fall of powerful officials made correct prediction difficult, and events often proved these forecasts wrong.
Even the wisest and most active ministers or soldiers placed little trust in such practices when serious matters were at stake.
Lack of Geographical Knowledge
It is also noted that even the most experienced officers and commanders had very little knowledge of geography. They were unfamiliar with the true position of countries, the shape of the globe, or the general arrangement of the world. This lack of understanding is striking, especially since they governed such a large portion of the known world.
Despite ruling vast territories across several continents, few had studied maps or learned how lands and seas were properly connected. Geography was not considered an essential science for government or war Private Istanbul Tour.
Navigation and the Limits of Ottoman Seamanship
The same limitation appeared in naval affairs. Ottoman sailors rarely ventured far from the coastline. Most voyages were made within sight of land, and open-sea navigation was generally avoided. An exception was found among sailors from Barbary, many of whom were renegades trained in European methods of navigation.
These sailors had learned Christian maritime arts and were more skilled in long-distance travel at sea.
Poor Quality of Maps and Sea Charts
The sea charts used by Ottoman sailors were poorly designed and inaccurate. Headlands, capes, and coastlines were badly drawn and unreliable. On voyages from Constantinople to Alexandria, one of the richest centers of trade, sailors relied more on personal experience and eyesight than on maps.
These charts offered little guidance and inspired no confidence. Navigation was guided by memory, habit, and observation rather than by scientific methods.
The Black Sea and Navigational Difficulties
The situation was even worse in the case of the Black Sea. No map made by either Turks or Greeks was considered useful by knowledgeable sailors. Such charts failed to provide accurate distances or reliable coastal details.
Because of this, no experienced seaman would trust these maps enough to follow them according to the accepted rules of navigation. They were of little help and could even be dangerous if relied upon too strongly.
General Character of Their Maritime Knowledge
Overall, navigation within the Empire depended more on tradition and practice than on learning or science. While effective in familiar waters, this approach limited exploration and progress in maritime knowledge.