Influence of a Prince on His Subjects
Where the example of a ruler permits certain actions, his subjects—whether soldiers or lawyers—often follow without hesitation. They believe that […]
T31b
The Role of the Sword in Promoting Mahometan Faith
The Mahometan faith was often promoted entirely through warfare. Soldiers were taught in their catechism that those who died fighting
Decline of French Influence in the Ottoman Court
At one time, the French ambassador enjoyed special privileges in the Ottoman Empire. He was invited to secret councils and
The Roman Example of Citizenship
The Romans clearly understood the advantage of welcoming foreigners into their state. They created a law called jus civitatis, which
Rebellions Among the Pashas
Throughout Ottoman history, there were occasional revolts by powerful Pashas who commanded their own armies. One notable example is when
The Government of Baghdad (Babylon)
The Government of Baghdad, also called Babylon, was one of the most important provinces of the Ottoman Empire in the
The Fate of the Sultan’s Consorts After His Death
After the death of the Grand Signior, different rules applied to the women of the Seraglio depending on whether they
Discipline and Obedience
The Turks believe that those who know how to obey are best prepared to govern. At first, young men in
The Vizier Faces the Janissary Leaders
A Cold and Calculated Reception When the Grand Vizier arrived at the mosque, Bektas Aga did not come forward to
A Modest Apology for the Subject
The author begins by admitting that the subject of this discourse may appear unworthy of a statesman’s valuable time. Many