History of Royal Culture: The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of royals but let me tell you the history of its culture is fascinating. The Ottoman Empire began at the very end of the 13th century. It was created by tribes of Turkish warriors led by Osman I. In its greatest period, the Empire stretched from Southeastern Asia to Central Asia, parts of the middle east, and North Africa. Imagine an empire with all of that diversity that eventually made up the ottoman culture. The Ottoman Empire was one of the longest-lasting empires in the world, falling after World War I and officially ending in 1922.
The culture of The Ottoman Empire is so rich. From poetry, to ceramics and architecture, music, food and everyday life. The Ottomans embraced the cultures of the countries they conquered and in a way merged them with their own creating something unique. Under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent from 1520 to 1566, the empire thrived. He was known for his love of art and poetry. Sultan Suleiman achieved military success, economic growth and trade. He led the Ottoman Empire to what is known as the “Golden Age.” Under his rule, the culture evolved because he encouraged artists and new architectural advances. The Süleymaniye Mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey was authorized by Sultan Suleiman and designed by the architect Mimar Sinan. Although this mosque is not the most well-known Ottoman imperial mosque, it was designed by one of the most notorious Islamic architects. Mimar Sinan designed around 300 structures. He is most celebrated for the Selimiye Mosque located in Edirne. This mosque is special because he somewhat managed to replicate the dome of the Hagia Sofia.
I lived in Istanbul, Turkey for six months and I was lucky enough to visit some of the Ottoman imperial structures. Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque stand out because they hold so much history in terms of culture and religion. However, one place that has always interested me is the Topaki Palace, the main residence of the sultans.
My interest sparked from a TV show I watched with my family in sixth grade. Muhteşem Yüzyıl, or Magnificent Century in English. The show was based in Ottoman Empire era Turkey when Sultan Suleiman I sat on the throne at Topaki Palace. The show captured different aspects of life in the Ottoman Empire but had an emphasis on what happened behind closed doors. The show follows Suleiman the Magnificent from when he is declared Sultan to the day he dies. The women in his life played a massive role, specifically Sultana Hurrem. She was kidnapped from Ukraine as a 15-year-old and brought to Topkapi Palace to be part of the harem. At the time Suleiman had a son from Mahidevran Hatun, making her the mother of the eldest son, and in theory, the mother of the next sultan. Sultana Hurrem somehow got Suleiman to fall in love with her, free her from being a slave and legally marry her. Part of the reason he loved her so much is that they bonded over their passion for poetry.
The life of the sultans and the sultanas is incredibly intriguing in the way their lives were structured and how they differed from other kingdoms and empires. The Ottoman Empire took inspiration from Persian, Armenian, Russian, Hungarian, and Arab traditions to compose their culture. In terms of religion, they allowed anyone to reside in what is now known as Turkey, which also contributed to the diverse and unique culture of what was the Ottoman Empire.
Credits:
https://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire
https://www.thecollector.com/ottoman-empire-art-architecture/