Crisis at the Court of the Grand Signior
Advice from the Inner Circle During this dangerous moment, the Grand Signior received urgent advice from two powerful figures within
The Corruption of Bektas Aga
False Wealth and Debased Coinage On the opposite side stood Bektas Aga, who felt completely secure in his position and
The Rise of Janissary Power
The Retreat of the Spahis After failing to achieve their demands, the Spahis withdrew and scattered to their own regions.
Fear Ambition and Rival Factions at Court
The Mother’s Growing Fear The Sultan’s mother, already shaken by the violent death of her husband, soon became deeply fearful
The Ambition of the Old Queen
The Rise of a Child Sultan After the death of Sultan Ibrahim, who was killed by a conspiracy of the
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
Obedience and Discipline in the Turkish Military
The Training of Absolute Obedience Obedience was carefully taught and deeply instilled in the Turkish military. This discipline began early
The Structure of Slavery in Ottoman Government
A Government Built on Servitude If a person carefully considers the structure of the entire Turkish government, he will find
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
Flattery and Servile Behavior in the Seraglio
A Culture of Excessive Submission Within the walls of the Seraglio there appears a kind of planned and practiced baseness