I found this National Geographic book in the local library while searching for information about the Ottoman Empire. I read only that chapter and the one titled “Byzantium and the Arab World.” I did thumb through to look at the many colorful pictures and illustrations. The book presents a high level overview and often with little explanation. My interests in learning more about the Ottoman Empire were frustrated by the closing sentence that the “…once great empire had lost its way. But from its wreckage emerged a new nation, Turkey…” Nothing more is provided to explain what happened except for the closing lines that “…a democratic society that reached out to its old foes in Europe and forged close bonds with the West.” There is no mention of the fascinating story of how Mustafa Kemal and his supporters succeeded at ending the Empire to make the new country called Turkey.
I read the chapter about the Byzantine Empire, because that Empire was a focus of Ottoman expansion through military conquests. I once again thought the information was too limited.
The information on the Ottoman Empire has the subtitle “Bridging Asia, Africa, and Europe,” and the book describes the Empire complete with maps that I found to be somewhat confusing. The photographs and illustrations are interesting. One of the best discussions is about the “Janissaries,” the military elite of the Ottoman Empire. The members originally came from Christian sons between twelve and fourteen years of ages who were converted to Islam. They were “…state-educated slaves …” They were known for their aggressiveness in battle. The requirement to be celibate ended when Turks and other Muslims were allowed to join. The Janissaries eventually evolved into a “…rebellious armed class.” They were killed in the thousands during battles with the Sultan’s forces in what had been called the “Auspicious Incident” in 1826.
The book briefly mentions some of the leaders of the Ottoman Empire beginning about 1300 A.D. with Osman, who had been a Turkish chieftain. The Empire was at its peak when Sultan Suleyman I, or “Suleyman the Magnificent,” became leader in 1520. He launched a campaign aimed at Vienna that was turned away. Other sources mention that failed campaign as the turning point that began the decline of the Empire.
The Empire lasted 350 years despite the wide variation in competence of the sultans. Some were described as “decadent or inept.” There was brutal competition among princes vying to position themselves to become the next leader. By the 17th century the princes were confined to the palace to stop them from battling their competitors. Those who were selected had to win the support of the sultan’s chief adviser (the grand vizier), commanders of the Janissaries, and the women of the harem. The sheltered lives focused on political intrigue did little to prepare them for the demands of leadership. There is mention of Mehmed IV whose deranged father, known as Ibrahim the Crazy, was murdered when Mehmed was six. He was protected by his mother and grandmother until he matured sufficiently to become the sultan. Even then it is said his authority was limited.
There is an interesting side story about Roxelana, who was called “the cheerful one.” She was taken into slavery during an Ottoman raid and was placed in the royal harem. She became one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history by capturing the attention of Suleyman and eventually became his legal wife. She was adept at political intrigue and successfully strategized to ensure her son Selim II followed his father on the throne.
Problems caused by poor and overly ambitious leadership were accompanied by economic problems when Europeans began using maritime trade routes instead of land routes through the Empire. The sultans attempted to make up for the loss of revenue by imposing more taxes on the already poor subjects. They used “tax farming,” which allowed revenue collection by private agents who kept some of what they could take from increasingly angry people. The economic problems led to declines in the military, and the Empire began to be whittled away by Greece and other Balkan countries and by the imperialist countries building their own empires.
It is no surprise that the book is filled with many beautiful pictures and illustrations. It undoubtedly would make an excellent “coffee table” book for anyone who has an interest in empires. The rise and fall of powerful empires is a reminder that those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it.