Description
Book SynopsisA full life and times biography of Süleyman, the longest reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire.Süleyman, who ruled the Ottoman Empire between 1520 and 1566, was a globally recognized figure during his lifetime. His domain extended from Hungary to Iran, and from the Crimea to North Africa and the Indian Ocean. The wealth of his treasury, the strength of his armies, and his personality were much discussed by historians, poets, courtiers, diplomats and publics across Eurasia.Süleyman was engaged in bitter rivalries with the Catholic Habsburgs in Europe and the Shiite Safavids in the Middle East. He presided over a multilingual and multireligious empire that promised peace and prosperity to its subjects. During his reign, the Ottoman Empire became a truly global power. Imperial governance expanded considerably, and the law was emphasized as the main bond between the ruler and the ruled. Süleyman''s prolific poetic output, his frequent appearances during public ceremonies, his charity, and
Trade ReviewSüleyman I has long been considered the epitome of Ottoman sultans, but the man behind the official persona remains elusive. Kaya Şahin is already author of standout studies of this reign and in this new work skillfully mines contemporary sources to reveal the joys and tribulations of a life increasingly shaped by the anxieties associated with the impending Islamic millennium. From his difficult youth to sickly old age, Süleyman's life story is here reappraised in a dynamic and intimate narrative that will have wide appeal. * Caroline Finkel, author of Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire *
One of history's most fascinating leaders, known in Europe as 'the Great Turk,' comes vividly alive in this captivating book. Combining deep research with a light writing style, it tells not just the story of a sultan but of an epoch. Learning about Süleyman's multi-talented wife, who rose from slavery to become arguably the most powerful woman in the world, is an added bonus. * Stephen Kinzer, author of Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds *
This volume will serve as the standard English account of Süleyman's reign and the model for how to write a biography of a sultan. * Choice *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Note on Usage Introduction Chapter 1: The Family Story: The Ottomans before Süleyman Chapter 2: Childhood and Adolescence: Raising a Prince, 1494/5-1509 Chapter 3: Apprenticeship: Service as District Governor, 1509-1520 Chapter 4: Growth: The First Years on the Throne, 1520-1525 Chapter 5: Partnership: Süleyman, :Ibrahim, and a New Imperial Vision, 1525-1533 Chapter 6: Maturation: The Middle Years, 1533-1553 Chapter 7: Old Age: The Final Years, 1553-1566 Conclusion: Legacies Notes Bibliography Index
