Devotion and Religious Practice
Among certain religious sects in the Ottoman Empire, some followers spend entire nights bent toward the ground, reciting prayers and […]
T14a
Preaching and the Rise of a False Prophet
After gathering his followers, Bedredm instructed them thoroughly in the principles of his new religion. He sent them out as
The Harsh Edicts Against Christians
After Mahomet’s power grew, his edicts toward Christians became strict and violent. These orders encouraged war, bloodshed, and the enslavement
The Importance of Skilled Interpreters
One of the biggest challenges for ambassadors in the Ottoman Empire was that most interpreters were born subjects of the
Cesare Borgia and the Rule of Romagna
When Cesare Borgia wanted to secure control over the region of Romagna, which he had recently conquered, he used a
Absolute Obedience to the Sultan
Another result of this strict system of government was the complete obedience shown to the Grand Signior, or Sultan. Great
The Province of Damascus (Scham)
The fourth great province of the Ottoman Empire was Scham, better known as Damascus. This province held a very important
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
The Danger of Unlimited Power
From these events, we can observe a general truth: those who hold unlimited power are always at risk. Their power
The Fall of Feminine Rule
Growing Anger Among the Soldiers For a long time, the government was effectively ruled by women and court favorites. This