Sects and Heresies Among the Turks
It is commonly believed that there are seventy-two sects among the Turks, though the actual number is probably higher. The […]
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Reward for Obedience
Mahomet, the Messenger of God, promised that Christians who faithfully follow the rules of the covenant will be rewarded. This
Challenges for Ambassadors in the Ottoman Empire
Serving as an ambassador in the Ottoman Empire required courage, wisdom, and careful judgment. Diplomats had to remain calm and
Buying High Office
This system did not only show the power of the Sultan, but it also increased it. In many cases, men
The Annual Tribute to the Sultan
From the time of the first agreement, the tribute of Ragusa continued without interruption. Every year, in the month of
The Sultan’s Table at the Vizier’s Expense
The Grand Signior often demands twenty dishes of meat, which is the usual amount served at his ordinary table. On
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
Confusion Among the Officers
The city was thrown into confusion and division. The officers and soldiers were uncertain about what to do next, and
The Ottoman Court as a Gilded Prison
A Court That Resembles a Prison Anyone who carefully observes the Ottoman court will soon discover that it is, in
Artists of the Older School
Among the remaining artists of the older school, most can be described as conventional in style. They followed established rules