Fleeing During Plagues
The Wise and the General Population While many Turks faced contagious diseases with reckless courage, some people chose a different […]
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Courtesy and Protection
Muslims are commanded to treat Christians with courtesy and respect. They must avoid any oppression, violence, or unfair treatment. Christians
Turkish View of Ambassadors
In the Ottoman Empire, ambassadors were often treated harshly, in ways very different from the respectful customs of ancient Rome
False Witness and Religious Bias
Another serious problem in the Ottoman courts was the ease with which some people gave false witness. It was said
The Meaning of the “Seven Banners”
This small republic was sometimes called “the Seven Banners.” This name had a special meaning. It suggested that, in order
The Vast Wealth of a Greedy Vizier
If a Grand Vizier is naturally careful with money and used to living frugally, he often decides to lose nothing
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
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
Law Liberty and the Happiness of Free Subjects
The Blessing of Rule Limited by Law Although absolute power may help a ruler act quickly, it is a great
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