Circumcision Ceremonies in the Ottoman Empire
Religious Leaders and Everyday Life In this passage, the author continues his discussion of circumcision and explains an important feature […]
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Spiritual Practices and Beliefs of the Sufi Order
The Secret Prayer of the Convent Leader The leader, or Prior, of this religious convent taught his disciples a special
The Spread of a Dangerous Doctrine
This poisonous doctrine has spread widely in Constantinople. It has reached even the Seraglio, the palace of the Sultan, and
Fleeing During Plagues
The Wise and the General Population While many Turks faced contagious diseases with reckless courage, some people chose a different
Voluntary Marriage and Freedom of Choice
Marriage must always be voluntary. A bride or groom cannot be forced into marriage against their will. The decision to
Imprisonment at Adrianople
After arriving at Adrianople, the French ambassador, Sieur la Haje, was placed in custody. Unlike his son, who had faced
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 Ancient Name of Ragusa
The city of Ragusa was known in ancient times by the name Epidauros. There were also two other cities with
The Official Income of the Grand Vizier
The official revenues of the Grand Vizier, which come directly from the Crown and are fixed parts of the office,
Favoritism Among the Ottoman Rulers
Historical writers often claimed that even the Grand Signiors themselves were not free from strong personal passions. According to these