121-583: The Süleymannâme (or Sulaiman-nama ; lit. "Book of Suleiman") is an illustration of Suleiman the Magnificent 's life and achievements. In 65 scenes the miniature paintings are decorated with gold, depicting battles, receptions, hunts and sieges. Written by Fethullah Arifi Çelebi in Persian verse, and illustrated by five unnamed artists, the Süleymannâme was the fifth volume of the first illustrated history of
242-553: A broader Ottoman elite, Şehnames were intended to instill and understanding of Ottoman identity. For the general population, Şehnames were intended to symbolize the Sultan's power, evidence of his fulfillment of patronage often associated with and expected of a powerful ruler. Generally, Şehnames are associated with extravagance and power. In addition to legitimizing the Sultan's reign, Şehnames were commissioned typically during times of turmoil, intended to bolster dynastic prestige and justify
363-495: A direct portrayal of Suleiman as one of the aforementioned prophet-kings in the first volume of Arif Celebi's Shahnama-yi Al-i Osman . This portrayal is not meant to devalue the status of the prophets to a sultan; however, it elevates Suleiman's status, especially at a time when his image was suffering. The historical context of this work coincides with Suleiman's failing image due to his old age, but more importantly, his negative image as he had his son, Mustafa , killed in 1553, who
484-451: A divine image as well as presenting the ideas and expectations of the court. Arifi wrote in this epic poem 60,000 verses. The Süleymannâme , while a work of art, bore political function as well. The Süleymannâme falls under the Şehname, or "King's Book" category. The primary function of the Sehname type was to document a complete Ottoman history, legitimizing and exalting the patron sultan in
605-485: A former concubine, became the legal wife of the Sultan, much to the astonishment of the observers in the palace and the city. He also allowed Hurrem Sultan to remain with him at court for the rest of her life, breaking another tradition—that when imperial heirs came of age, they would be sent along with the imperial concubine who bore them to govern remote provinces of the Empire, never to return unless their progeny succeeded to
726-774: A great patron of culture, overseeing the " Golden Age " of the Ottoman Empire in its artistic , literary and architectural development. Breaking with Ottoman tradition, Suleiman married Hurrem Sultan , a woman from his harem, an Orthodox Christian of Ruthenian origin who converted to Sunni Islam , and who became famous in Western Europe of his time by the name Roxelana, due to her red hair. Their son, Selim II , succeeded Suleiman following his death in 1566 after 46 years of rule. Suleiman's other potential heirs, Mehmed and Mustafa , had died; Mehmed had died in 1543 from smallpox, and Mustafa had been strangled to death in 1553 at
847-509: A harem girl from Ruthenia , then part of Poland . Western diplomats, taking notice of the palace gossip about her, called her "Russelazie" or "Roxelana", referring to her Ruthenian origins. The daughter of an Orthodox priest, she was captured by Tatars from Crimea , sold as a slave in Constantinople, and eventually rose through the ranks of the Harem to become Suleiman's favorite . Hurrem,
968-621: A lasting presence in the province of Van , control of the western half of Azerbaijan and some forts in Georgia . In 1553, Suleiman began his third and final campaign against the Shah. Having initially lost territories in Erzurum to the Shah's son, Suleiman retaliated by recapturing Erzurum, crossing the Upper Euphrates and laying waste to parts of Persia. The Shah's army continued its strategy of avoiding
1089-540: A legitimate sultan. Suleiman was born in Trabzon on the southern coast of the Black Sea to Şehzade Selim (later Selim I ), probably on 6 November 1494, although this date is not known with absolute certainty or evidence. His mother was Hafsa Sultan , a concubine convert to Islam of unknown origins, who died in 1534. At the age of seven, Suleiman began studies of science, history, literature, theology and military tactics in
1210-671: A phenomenon often referred to as the Transformation of the Ottoman Empire . Suleiman the Magnificent ( محتشم سليمان Muḥteşem Süleymān ), as he was known in the West , was also called Suleiman the First ( سلطان سليمان أول Sulṭān Süleymān-ı Evvel ), and Suleiman the Lawgiver ( قانونی سلطان سليمان Ḳānūnī Sulṭān Süleymān ) for his reform of the Ottoman legal system. It is unclear when exactly
1331-515: A push towards Persia, only to find the Shah sacrificing territory instead of facing a pitched battle, resorting to harassment of the Ottoman army as it proceeded along the harsh interior. In 1535 Suleiman made a grand entrance into Baghdad. He enhanced his local support by restoring the tomb of Abu Hanifa , the founder of the Hanafi school of Islamic law to which the Ottomans adhered. Attempting to defeat
SECTION 10
#17328521459941452-584: A result, an Ottoman expedition to Aceh was launched, which was able to provide extensive military support to the Acehnese. The discovery of new maritime trade routes by Western European states allowed them to avoid the Ottoman trade monopoly. The Portuguese discovery of the Cape of Good Hope in 1488 initiated a series of Ottoman-Portuguese naval wars in the Ocean throughout the 16th century. The Ajuran Sultanate allied with
1573-420: A ruler because he was born in the 10th century and was the 10th ruler in his lineage. The decimal system is used as an allegory to show how the time period of the 10th century was time used to prepare for Suleiman's perfection. The reason for the significance of the number ten is because all the numbers preceding it can be increased by one while maintaining its one digit places. Once 10 is reached, it spills over to
1694-446: A saint with a nimbus surrounding his head. Again, Suleiman's reign is legitimized as divine through the combination of his legacy with the histories of other great rulers from other traditions. With that being said, Arif even goes as far to declare Suleiman's superiority over both past Ottoman and world rulers. Rulers of the past all possessed the right kingly characteristics, but in regards to Suleiman, none of them compared to him. Even in
1815-549: A series of projects, including bridges, mosques, palaces and various charitable and social establishments. The greatest of these were built by the Sultan's chief architect, Mimar Sinan , under whom Ottoman architecture reached its zenith. Sinan became responsible for over three hundred monuments throughout the empire, including his two masterpieces, the Süleymaniye and Selimiye mosques—the latter built in Adrianople (now Edirne ) in
1936-425: A set of fines for specific offenses, as well as reducing the instances requiring death or mutilation. In the area of taxation, taxes were levied on various goods and produce, including animals, mines, profits of trade, and import-export duties. Higher medreses provided education of university status, whose graduates became imams ( امام ) or teachers. Educational centers were often one of many buildings surrounding
2057-462: A single legal code, all the while being careful not to violate the basic laws of Islam. It was within this framework that Suleiman, supported by his Grand Mufti Ebussuud , sought to reform the legislation to adapt to a rapidly changing empire. When the Kanun laws attained their final form, the code of laws became known as the kanun‐i Osmani ( قانون عثمانی ), or the "Ottoman laws". Suleiman's legal code
2178-585: A specific figure is made. In "Execution of Prisoners" Suleiman is easily identifiable because he is the largest figure in the image and he is centrally located. Less important figures are rendered more generally, often mirror images of others in their mass, sometimes with minor facial changes. This holds true for depictions of court attendants and larger armies, both of Ottomans and foreigners. Foreigners are typically differentiated by their style of dress. One can tell Ottomans and non-Ottomans apart through their headwear; Ottomans are shown wearing white turbans with red at
2299-478: A tree with water accumulated at the foot, as seen in the reception of Queen Isabella and Infant King Stephen. The specific representation of a tree cut down the middle by water is said to represent death. One such example of this symbol is on the folio with the depiction of the Battle of Güns . An Ottoman cavalry, Turahan Bey, drags a Habsburg soldier. The tree indicates not only the dreary future of this soldier, but also
2420-411: A vegetal landscape with only a few trees and a simple hill incline. This image accurately portrays the events of Belgrade, however, the actions of the individuals and the overall composition are also symbolic. The clutter of the right scene is meant to indicate chaos, contrasted by the success and regal attitude of the sultan are communicated in the left scene . "Siege of Rhodes" by shows the valiance of
2541-494: A visual language consisting of a synthesis of traditions, particularly in architecture and manuscript production. The Ehl-i Hiref (Community of the Talented), a highly organized group of imperial artisans worked on court commissions. Because of the level of organization of arts production in the court, designs created for the court became part of the arts vocabulary across disciplines. The Cemaat-i Nakkaşan (Society of Painters), one of
SECTION 20
#17328521459942662-503: Is a part of the wave and they are all a part of a larger complex of a body of water while separate, smaller numbers create a new, larger number. In addition, a wave and a body of water with its several units is also a representation of God and His existence in every unit. Arif then relates this to Noah and the Great Flood, connecting the decimal system to the gathering of animals pairs and including religious references again. Many folios in
2783-558: Is aptly named, enjoys reading, is knowledgeable and shows good judgment." Upon succeeding his father, Suleiman began a series of military conquests, eventually leading to a revolt led by the Ottoman-appointed governor of Damascus in 1521. Suleiman soon made preparations for the conquest of Belgrade from the Kingdom of Hungary —something his great-grandfather Mehmed II had failed to achieve because of John Hunyadi 's strong defense in
2904-452: Is often obscured by compositional arrangement. In "Execution of Prisoners" the Ottoman execution of Hungarian war prisoners is showcased, with onlookers including soldiers and officers off in the distance. It is difficult to tell exactly where the prisoners are being executed because the scene is so busy. Distracting elements include the "rich floral patterns" employed and the clusters of surrounding figures. The "Death of Ahmed Pasa," focusing on
3025-413: Is organized in chronological order. This manuscript had a much more private use compared to other pieces of art produced for the Ottoman elite. The Süleymannâme has 69 illustrated pages since four topics out of the 65 represented are double-folio images. The cultural and political context of this work is Persian. This work is important because it allows for the acceptance of the sultan presenting himself in
3146-418: Is references of it in the text. In many of the folios, the trees are accompanied with water near its roots. This relationship draws the viewer's attention towards the tree and the positioning of these two images aids in this as well. The positioning also incites a connection to be made between the tree and the protagonist on the specific page. In later pages of the manuscript, it is more common to see images of
3267-421: Is very probable Arif had a high level of education and he was said to have a great skill in the sciences. He studied with the ulama (learned men), signifying that he got training from many medrese professors. Arif worked in both Turkish and Persian, but viewing the several verses he wrote, Persian was more his forte. Looking at the art that was produced under him, he was more than just a mere writer who ignored
3388-520: Is written as the last reformer of religion and depicted as the image of the Perfect Man, only second to the Islamic prophet Muhammad . Certain images in the manuscript were executed as a way to show Suleiman's importance as one of the last religious and political leaders and were all approved by the sultan himself. Some of these images include Suleiman's portrayal as the second Solomon on a gold throne and as
3509-634: The Barbary pirates of North Africa can be seen in the context of the wars against Spain. In 1541, the Spaniards led an unsuccessful expedition to Algiers . In 1542, facing a common Habsburg enemy during the Italian Wars , Francis I sought to renew the Franco-Ottoman alliance . In early 1542, Polin successfully negotiated the details of the alliance, with the Ottoman Empire promising to send 60,000 troops against
3630-689: The Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace . Despite his following marriage and his new sumptuous residence, Ibrahim sometimes spent the night with Suleiman I at Topkapı Palace. In turn, the sultan occasionally slept at Ibrahim's lodgings. Ibrahim Pasha rose to Grand Vizier in 1523 and commander-in-chief of all the armies. Suleiman also conferred upon Ibrahim Pasha the honor of beylerbey of Rumelia (first-ranking military governor-general), granting Ibrahim authority over all Ottoman territories in Europe, as well as command of troops residing within them in times of war. At
3751-527: The Islamic calendar of 1543 AD. In addition to Suleiman's own work, many great talents enlivened the literary world during Suleiman's rule, including Fuzûlî and Bâkî . The literary historian Elias John Wilkinson Gibb observed that "at no time, even in Turkey, was greater encouragement given to poetry than during the reign of this Sultan". Suleiman's most famous verse is: The people think of wealth and power as
Süleymanname - Misplaced Pages Continue
3872-710: The Mughal imperial ports of Thatta , Surat and Janjira . The Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great himself is known to have exchanged six documents with Suleiman the Magnificent. Suleiman led several naval campaigns against the Portuguese in an attempt to remove them and reestablish trade with the Mughal Empire . Aden in Yemen was captured by the Ottomans in 1538, in order to provide an Ottoman base for raids against Portuguese possessions on
3993-805: The Ottoman dynasty . It was written in the manner of the Iranian Shahnameh epic. The original version of the Süleymannâme lies in the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul and there is another manuscript in Astan Quds Razavi , the manuscript numbered as manuscript 4249 in Astan Quds Razavi library. The Süleymannâme is the fifth volume of the Shahnama-yi Al-i Osman (The Shahnama of
4114-642: The Persian Gulf , while the Persians retained their former capital Tabriz and all their other northwestern territories in the Caucasus and as they were prior to the wars, such as Dagestan and all of what is now Azerbaijan . Ottoman ships had been sailing in the Indian Ocean since the year 1518. Ottoman admirals such as Hadim Suleiman Pasha , Seydi Ali Reis and Kurtoğlu Hızır Reis are known to have voyaged to
4235-461: The Süleymannâme emphasizes the sultan's eminence and leadership. He is often the overseer of events rather than being truly engaged the action itself, even when he is surrounded by chaos, such as in "Battle of Mohacs". The artists make specific choices about how rigid or limber the figures should be depicted in order to capture the emotional energy of the scenes. There are a few scenes in the Süleymannâme which specifically aim to point to moments of
4356-408: The Süleymannâme include depictions of trees; these depictions are not merely pieces of decoration for the manuscript, but are used as symbols. One purpose of the trees can be as an organizational function. In the folio with the confrontation of both Ottoman and Austrian forces, a tree is painted at the center top of the page. The tree is used as a division of these two sides and, including the rocks at
4477-522: The Süleymannâme vary between being depicted with traditional colors and being depicted with outlandish colors. In "Death of Huseyin Pasa," the horses are more naturalistic, painted in primarily black and brown. On the contrary, "Death of Ahmed Pasa" features a blue speckled horse, a far cry from a horse's actual likeness. The Süleymannâme features efforts to differentiate between individuals through slight variation in facial features. Often, an attempt to feature
4598-437: The Süleymannâme were made to exalt the lives of sultans or the festivities or campaigns of the empire, and became the primary work of the nakkaşane after 1560. Though the Süleymannâme reflects historical events, it is not considered an accurate historical source due to its exaltation of the ruler, being an artistic interpretation of the Ottoman court under Suleiman . These manuscripts were produced for private use by members of
4719-401: The 69 paintings in the Süleymannâme , about a dozen are scenes of combat ensued by Suleiman's territorial conquests. Though there are stylistic differences between painters because they were made by different artists, each captures a specific "psychological symbolism" of the various events that ultimately display the Ottoman perspective and the power of Suleiman. "Siege of Belgrade" emphasizes
4840-628: The Christian powers in Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Belgrade fell to him in 1521 and the island of Rhodes in 1522–1523. At Mohács , in August 1526, Suleiman broke the military strength of Hungary. Suleiman became a prominent monarch of 16th-century Europe, presiding over the apex of the Ottoman Empire's economic, military and political power. Suleiman personally led Ottoman armies in conquering
4961-557: The Christian strongholds of Belgrade and Rhodes as well as most of Hungary before his conquests were checked at the siege of Vienna in 1529. He annexed much of the Middle East in his conflict with the Safavids and large areas of North Africa as far west as Algeria. Under his rule, the Ottoman fleet dominated the seas from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and through the Persian Gulf . At
Süleymanname - Misplaced Pages Continue
5082-752: The Eastern Mediterranean island of Rhodes , the home base of the Knights Hospitaller . Suleiman built a large fortification, Marmaris Castle , that served as a base for the Ottoman Navy . Following a five-month siege , Rhodes capitulated and Suleiman allowed the Knights of Rhodes to depart. The conquest of the island cost the Ottomans 50,000 to 60,000 dead from battle and sickness (Christian claims went as high as 64,000 Ottoman battle deaths and 50,000 disease deaths). As relations between Hungary and
5203-466: The House of Osman) written by Arif Celebi. It is an account of Suleiman's first 35 years of his reign as ruler from 1520 to 1555. The portrayal of Suleiman's reign is idealized, as it not only includes the last exceptional events in world history, but also ends the timeline begun at creation with this perceived perfect ruler. The manuscript itself measures 25.4 by 37 centimeters and has 617 folios. In addition, it
5324-588: The Imperial Scroll. In addition, he is associated in creating an epic of 2,000 stichs about Hadim Suleyman's Pasa's expedition to India. The Süleymannâme is a product of careful collaboration between artists and writers. The rendering of images is suggestive of one hand due to overall visual uniformity. The illustrations generally prioritize concentrated, opaque pigments over light washes of color. Featured colors are often unorthodox and fantastical, including pinks, purples, bright blues and greens. Present throughout
5445-555: The Iranian Ambassador" highlights the "superiority of the Ottoman sultan over his opponents" as an inscription above the throne declares "the Sultan, the shadow of God," likening Suleiman to godlike figure. This superiority is further emphasized through registers, as Suleiman and his advisors are in a higher quadrant than the Safavid ambassadors. Illustrations are also utilized to outline political proceedings and court practices within
5566-551: The Knights killed in battle; but a relief force from Spain entered the battle, resulting in the loss of 10,000 Ottoman troops and the victory of the local Maltese citizenry. While Sultan Suleiman was known as "the Magnificent" in the West, he was always Kanuni Suleiman or "The Lawgiver" ( قانونی ) to his Ottoman subjects. The overriding law of the empire was the Shari'ah , or Sacred Law, which as
5687-532: The Magnificent in Western Europe and Suleiman the Lawgiver (Ottoman Turkish: قانونى سلطان سليمان , romanized: Ḳānūnī Sulṭān Süleymān ) in his Ottoman realm, was the longest-reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 until his death in 1566. Under his administration, the Ottoman Empire ruled over at least 25 million people. Suleiman succeeded his father, Selim I , as sultan on 30 September 1520 and began his reign with campaigns against
5808-427: The Ottoman Empire deteriorated, Suleiman resumed his campaign in Central Europe, and on 29 August 1526 he defeated Louis II of Hungary (1506–1526) at the Battle of Mohács . Upon encountering the lifeless body of King Louis, Suleiman is said to have lamented: "I came indeed in arms against him; but it was not my wish that he should be thus cut off before he scarcely tasted the sweets of life and royalty." While Suleiman
5929-477: The Ottoman Empire. In "Meeting of the Divan," Ottoman scribes, viziers, translators and a variety of courtly officials are shown inside the structure their court meetings were held in. The Divan was the "highest administrative organ of the state," of which the sultan was the head. Depicted in a bird's eye view, all proceedings inside and outside the Divan are on display, providing transparency into specific happenings within
6050-488: The Ottoman army despite the losses they suffered . Historically, this was the battle in which Suleiman suffered the most losses of any attempted siege. In the "Fall of Rhodes", the Ottoman army celebrates their victory while the Suleiman looks on the scene solemnly. Here, the artist perpetuates the stoic leadership of the sultan. Despite the violence of these scenes, renders highly decorative landscapes. Each scene of conquest in
6171-484: The Ottoman court and was commissioned in 1550 to write about the Ottoman dynasty in Persian due to the fact that Suleiman enjoyed the previous verses that Arif Celebi had given him. Arif Celebi's Shahnama was to be used as a means to "create a common culture and a shared imperial identity." For his project, Arif Celebi adopted visual styles from Firdawsi's Shahnama that detailed the mythic history of Iran. Arif's service in
SECTION 50
#17328521459946292-428: The Ottoman court for Suleiman is said to have started when he arrived to the capital and it is assumed that his arrival correlated with Elkas Mirza's arrival to Istanbul in 1547, a Safavid prince who found refuge with Suleiman. It is mentioned again in the Süleymannâme that his father served the Ottoman Empire as a diplomatic envoy and most likely worked for more than one royal person. Due to his familial background, it
6413-511: The Ottoman fleet. In 1535, Charles V led a Holy League of 26,700 soldiers (10,000 Spaniards, 8,000 Italians, 8,000 Germans, and 700 Knights of St. John) to victory against the Ottomans at Tunis , which together with the war against Venice the following year, led Suleiman to accept proposals from Francis I of France to form an alliance against Charles . Huge Muslim territories in North Africa were annexed. The piracy carried on thereafter by
6534-613: The Ottomans defied the Portuguese economic monopoly in the Indian Ocean by employing a new coinage which followed the Ottoman pattern, thus proclaiming an attitude of economic independence in regard to the Portuguese. Having consolidated his conquests on land, Suleiman was greeted with the news that the fortress of Koroni in Morea (the modern Peloponnese , peninsular Greece) had been lost to Charles V 's admiral, Andrea Doria . The presence of
6655-527: The Ottomans' interactions with ambassadors/foreigners and entertainment within the Ottoman court. In "Arrival of the Austrian Ambassadors," five Austrian envoys discuss with an Ottoman official in an ornately decorated space. The composition is diagonally oriented, giving the scene an uneasy sense. The scene presents the intricacies of court proceedings with foreign ambassadors and promotes a thoughtful, detailed handling of foreign affairs. The "Reception of
6776-640: The Ottomans, leading to a stalemate from which neither army made any significant gain. In 1555, a settlement known as the Peace of Amasya was signed, which defined the borders of the two empires. By this treaty, Armenia and Georgia were divided equally between the two, with Western Armenia , western Kurdistan , and western Georgia (incl. western Samtskhe ) falling in Ottoman hands while Eastern Armenia , eastern Kurdistan, and eastern Georgia (incl. eastern Samtskhe) stayed in Safavid hands. The Ottoman Empire obtained most of Iraq , including Baghdad, which gave them access to
6897-547: The Shah once and for all, Suleiman embarked upon a second campaign in 1548–1549. As in the previous attempt, Tahmasp avoided confrontation with the Ottoman army and instead chose to retreat, using scorched earth tactics in the process and exposing the Ottoman army to the harsh winter of the Caucasus . Suleiman abandoned the campaign with temporary Ottoman gains in Tabriz and the Urmia region,
7018-537: The Spanish in the Eastern Mediterranean concerned Suleiman, who saw it as an early indication of Charles V's intention to rival Ottoman dominance in the region. Recognizing the need to reassert naval preeminence in the Mediterranean, Suleiman appointed an exceptional naval commander in the form of Khair ad Din , known to Europeans as Barbarossa . Once appointed admiral-in-chief, Barbarossa was charged with rebuilding
7139-400: The Sultan and court officials (the grand vizier and religious scholars) before they were included. Approval ensured all texts met a high literary standard and accurately matched the content of illustrations. The intense vetting process allowed the sultan and advisors to project a carefully crafted image through the text. Despite this attention to image, the intended audience for Şehnames were
7260-508: The West. With a reinforced garrison of 16,000 men, the Austrians inflicted the first defeat on Suleiman, sowing the seeds of a bitter Ottoman–Habsburg rivalry that lasted until the 20th century. His second attempt to conquer Vienna failed in 1532, as Ottoman forces were delayed by the siege of Güns and failed to reach Vienna. In both cases, the Ottoman army was plagued by bad weather, forcing them to leave behind essential siege equipment, and
7381-527: The architecture and the central positioning of the sultan. Overall, these exaltation scenes show the ruler as a figure to be honored by many, worthy of the glory of his title and power. Suleiman the Magnificent Suleiman I ( Ottoman Turkish : سليمان اول , romanized : Süleyman-ı Evvel ; Turkish : I. Süleyman , pronounced [syleiˈman] ; 6 November 1494 – 6 September 1566), commonly known as Suleiman
SECTION 60
#17328521459947502-510: The attacks and defended the Eger Castle . Suleiman's father had made war with Persia a high priority. At first, Suleiman shifted attention to Europe and was content to contain Persia , which was preoccupied by its own enemies to its east. After Suleiman stabilized his European frontiers, he now turned his attention to Persia, the base for the rival Shia Muslim faction. The Safavid dynasty became
7623-403: The breadth of Suleiman's patronage of the arts, the earliest of the documents dating from 1526 list 40 societies with over 600 members. The Ehl-i Hiref attracted the empire's most talented artisans to the Sultan's court, both from the Islamic world and from the recently conquered territories in Europe, resulting in a blend of Arabic, Turkish and European cultures. Artisans in service of
7744-467: The case, nevertheless, the tree's association with life, Creation, and Muhammad is still prevalent. The Süleymannâme features various death scenes. These deaths are typically of foreigners in battles against the Ottomans. The death scenes are not overtly gruesome; there is no excess of blood nor extreme brutality done to the body. Rather, the Süleymannâme offers a stylized representation of death. In ‘Death of Canberdi Gazali," Canberdi Gazali falls into
7865-545: The court included painters, book binders, furriers, jewellers and goldsmiths. Whereas previous rulers had been influenced by Persian culture (Suleiman's father, Selim I, wrote poetry in Persian), Suleiman's patronage of the arts saw the Ottoman Empire assert its own artistic legacy. Suleiman himself was an accomplished poet, writing in Persian and Turkish under the takhallus (nom de plume) Muhibbi ( محبی , "Lover"). Some of Suleiman's verses have become Turkish proverbs, such as
7986-456: The court. Additionally, scenes showcase lavish celebrations, some specifically held for Suleiman; in "Suleiman Entertained," the officials of Edirne are holding a lavish banquet in Suleiman's honor, where he is shown in the presence of musicians, singers, dancers and courtly officials. Suleiman is portrayed as a powerful ruler worthy of praise and celebration, and the Ottomans are portrayed as prestigious enough to throw large scale banquets. Of
8107-761: The courtyards of mosques, others included libraries, baths, soup kitchens, residences and hospitals for the benefit of the public. Under Suleiman's patronage, the Ottoman Empire entered the golden age of its cultural development . Hundreds of imperial artistic societies (called the اهل حرف Ehl-i Hiref , "Community of the Craftsmen") were administered at the Imperial seat, the Topkapı Palace . After an apprenticeship, artists and craftsmen could advance in rank within their field and were paid commensurate wages in quarterly annual installments. Payroll registers that survive testify to
8228-461: The current state of a dead soldier who is lying right next to the tree. Many of these trees have a direct association with Suleiman. The symbols behind these trees are likely to represent a cultural aspect of the Ottoman courtly elite, which explains their frequency and link with Suleiman. The tree with water curving at its base is said to depict the Tree of Being. If this is true, again we have another reference to Suleiman and his divinity. If this not
8349-446: The divine law of Islam was outside of the Sultan's powers to change. Yet an area of distinct law known as the Kanuns ( قانون , canonical legislation) was dependent on Suleiman's will alone, covering areas such as criminal law, land tenure and taxation. He collected all the judgments that had been issued by the nine Ottoman Sultans who preceded him. After eliminating duplications and choosing between contradictory statements, he issued
8470-485: The dynasty to emphasize the worthiness of their rule and status. There is not substantial information on Arif Celebi's life, but the knowledge we have on him comes from biographical stories written by many 16th century writers. His mother was the daughter of the Sufi sheikh and religious scholar Ibrahim Gulseni. Arif Celebi was very close to his grandfather and was said to be dearer to him than Gulseni's own son. Arif Celebi's father, Dervis Celebi, according to other accounts,
8591-418: The foot of the tree, identifies the two different fighting sides. The use of trees is signified in three different ways. One way is the relationship and position of the tree associated with the figure portrayed on the page. Another way is as any anomaly that contrasts with other components of the folio or makes the tree stand out. The more obvious sign given as showing the trees as symbols rather than decoration
8712-420: The grandness of the Ottoman camp through geometric decoration of the tents and barriers on the left half image, with the Sultan sitting enthroned and surrounded by a decorative tent. His soldiers also solemnly gaze at the destruction of Belgrade , where clusters of men lament their losses. The composition of the right image is cluttered by architecture and trees, whereas the left scene of the Ottoman army indicates
8833-414: The greatest fate, But in this world a spell of health is the best state. What men call sovereignty is a worldly strife and constant war; Worship of God is the highest throne, the happiest of all estates. Suleiman also became renowned for sponsoring a series of monumental architectural developments within his empire. The Sultan sought to turn Constantinople into the center of Islamic civilization by
8954-416: The helm of an expanding empire, Suleiman personally instituted major judicial changes relating to society, education, taxation and criminal law. His reforms, carried out in conjunction with the empire's chief judicial official Ebussuud Efendi , harmonized the relationship between the two forms of Ottoman law: sultanic ( Kanun ) and religious ( Sharia ). He was a distinguished poet and goldsmith; he also became
9075-485: The illustrations of his work. He made many choices thematically and stylistically in the illustrations to accompany his writing instead of assigning what to be painted. Despite this, he still had to adhere to the opinions of both Suleiman and some of the members of his court. What we know of his skill in the arts mainly comes from his time as sehnameci. Some other works we can credit to Arif is the Ravzat al-Usak and his drafts for
9196-415: The importance of his position. The attitudes of the different groups of people communicate their class or position: the visitors outside are more dynamically rendered, whereas the indoor groups of courtiers are still, almost static to represent the highly regulated court life. Regardless of status, these individuals are clearly present for the leader, the sultan, further emphasizing his importance. Several of
9317-564: The ire of the Ottomans, who assembled another massive army in order to dislodge the Knights from Malta. The Ottomans invaded Malta in 1565, undertaking the Great Siege of Malta , which began on 18 May and lasted until 8 September, and is portrayed vividly in the frescoes of Matteo Perez d'Aleccio in the Hall of St. Michael and St. George. At first, it seemed that this would be a repeat of the battle on Rhodes, with most of Malta's cities destroyed and half
9438-529: The main enemy after two episodes. First, Shah Tahmasp killed the Baghdad governor loyal to Suleiman, and put his own man in. Second, the governor of Bitlis had defected and sworn allegiance to the Safavids. As a result, in 1533, Suleiman ordered his Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha to lead an army into eastern Asia Minor where he retook Bitlis and occupied Tabriz without resistance. Suleiman joined Ibrahim in 1534. They made
9559-438: The manuscript are detailed geometric motifs, most visible on buildings, textiles and in evocations of grass, water and ground. The work exhibits fine detail and precision and crisply drawn lines. To promote the storytelling nature of the book, the illustrations often feature registers to break up sections of the composition; one section may be devoted to an enemy group and another to the Ottomans themselves, for example. Animals in
9680-514: The nobleman John Zápolya , whom Suleiman supported. Under Charles V and his brother Ferdinand I, the Habsburgs reoccupied Buda and took possession of Hungary. Reacting in 1529, Suleiman marched through the valley of the Danube and regained control of Buda; in the following autumn, his forces laid siege to Vienna . This was to be the Ottoman Empire's most ambitious expedition and the apogee of its drive to
9801-511: The numerous paintings of his court receptions with other ambassadors, but also through his compassion for his enemies and showing his power and Ottoman superiority. Suleiman is likened to previous, legendary rulers and heroes. His deeds are emphasized to compare him to these historical figures and it is because of these deeds he is so great. The similarities between the prophet-kings in the Anbiyanama (Book of Prophets) and Suleiman's worries creates
9922-416: The one only who does not distress me in this room ... My Istanbul, my karaman, the earth of my Anatolia My Badakhshan, my Baghdad and Khorasan My woman of the beautiful hair, my love of the slanted brow, my love of eyes full of misery ... I'll sing your praises always I, lover of the tormented heart, Muhibbi of the eyes full of tears, I am happy. Before his downfall, Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha
10043-451: The opportunity to avenge the defeat suffered at Vienna. In 1541, the Habsburgs attempted to lay siege to Buda but were repulsed, and more Habsburg fortresses were captured by the Ottomans in two consecutive campaigns in 1541 and 1544 as a result, Ferdinand and Charles were forced to conclude a humiliating five-year treaty with Suleiman. Ferdinand renounced his claim to the Kingdom of Hungary and
10164-409: The other decimal unit, beginning at 0 which is a starting point as well as representing nothingness. This effect of "spilling over" can be seen as another metaphor for water, specifically the movement of waves. The image of a wave can explain the increasing numeric units as well as the numbers becoming one whole, larger unit. Simply put, the relationship of increasing numbers and waves are parallel. Water
10285-517: The process. They were viewed as symbols of Ottoman court culture. Creators of Şehnames, or "Şehnameci," were salaried appointees; under Suleiman, the creator of "court historiographer" was established, pointing to the courtly and political importance of Şehnameci. Şehnamecis were not considered major historians, rather were recognized for their literary skill; Şehnames called for a melding of historical documentation and literary composition, making them difficult to categorize. The texts had to be approved by
10406-568: The realms of religion, Suleiman's faith and belief in God surpasses the rest of these rulers. By analyzing the order of volumes in Arif's Shahanama , Arif's main purpose is in placing Suleiman in a special position in world history as it started initially from Creation. Suleiman's generous, adamant patronage to the arts helped cultivate a golden age of Ottoman culture. Suleiman employed male artists and artisans of European, Islamic, and Turkish origins, which forged
10527-750: The region. Its capture was vital in removing the Hungarians and Croats who, following the defeats of the Albanians , Bosniaks , Bulgarians , Byzantines and the Serbs , remained the only formidable force who could block further Ottoman gains in Europe. Suleiman encircled Belgrade and began a series of heavy bombardments from an island in the Danube . Belgrade, with a garrison of only 700 men, and receiving no aid from Hungary, fell in August 1521. The road to Hungary and Austria lay open, but Suleiman turned his attention instead to
10648-841: The reign of Suleiman's son Selim II . Suleiman also restored the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the Walls of Jerusalem (which are the current walls of the Old City of Jerusalem ), renovated the Kaaba in Mecca , and constructed a complex in Damascus . Suleiman loved gardens and his shaykh grew a white tulip in one of the gardens. Some of the nobles in the court had seen the tulip and they also began growing their own. Soon images of
10769-451: The river with a spear being driven into his body. While his facial expression mildly suggests a scream, his body appears as an abstracted form with a spear protruding out and is not represented of a person on the brink of death in anguish. Surrounding him are "followers, dead and dying from their wounds"- while mild spurts of blood are drawn at their sides, it is difficult to distinguish if they are dead or sleeping. The subject of death itself
10890-407: The ruler. The main purpose of this manuscript was to paint an ideal public image for Sultan Suleiman and his court. It focuses on portraying Suleiman as a military figure, but also serving justice as a ruler. For example, the image of Suleiman's enthronement in the Süleymannâme serves as a way to show Suleiman's military role and having order of the court. The idea of a just leader is exemplified by
11011-501: The scenes exalting Suleiman show him receiving symbolic gifts. In "Receiving the Crown of Hungary", Suleiman is handed the crown of Hungary, a ceremonial act. "Suleiman Presented with the Ruby Cup" shows Suleiman receiving the ruby cup of Cemşid, a mystical symbol of Ottoman power. Here, the painter exemplifies the glory and honor symbolized by receiving the cup through grand decorative elements of
11132-521: The schools of the imperial Topkapı Palace in Constantinople . As a young man, he befriended Pargalı Ibrahim , a Greek slave who later became one of his most trusted advisers (but who was later executed on Suleiman's orders). At age seventeen, he was appointed as the governor of first Kaffa (Theodosia), then Manisa , with a brief tenure at Edirne . Upon the death of his father, Selim I (r. 1512–1520), Suleiman entered Constantinople and ascended to
11253-549: The slaying of rebel leader Ahmed Pasa by Ayas Mehmed Pasa, also obscures death through a complicated composition. Ahmed Pasa's severed head is not immediately visible and almost blends into the ground it lies on. These scenes of enemy deaths focus their attention on the killers instead of the killed, emphasizing the power the Ottomans held over their enemies through these victories. Similar death scenes include "Death of Kalender" and "Death of Contender Mustafa." The Süleymannâme also features scenes of court life, specifically featuring
11374-410: The sultan himself, his court and advisors. Luxury manuscripts were considered valuable collectors items, so they were not intended to leave the palace confines. Often the sultan would have Şehname texts read aloud for a court audience, intending to inspire and educate future Ottoman statesmen. For the Sultan and his circle, Şehnames were intended to reinforce the power and status of the Ottoman Empire. For
11495-411: The sultan's greatest accomplishments or glorifications. In these paintings, the sultan's magnificence is emphasized both by the context of the scene and through the compositional and decorative choices of the painters. "Accession Ceremonies", illustrates the ceremonial, yet casual atmosphere of the new sultan's court. The gold throne, highly decorated geometric motifs of the walls and ceiling, communicate
11616-455: The sultan's order. His other son Bayezid was executed in 1561 on Suleiman's orders, along with Bayezid's four sons, after a rebellion. Although scholars typically regarded the period after his death to be one of crisis and adaptation rather than simple decline , the end of Suleiman's reign was a watershed in Ottoman history. In the decades after Suleiman, the empire began to experience significant political, institutional, and economic changes,
11737-469: The term Kanunî (the Lawgiver) first came to be used as an epithet for Suleiman. It is entirely absent from sixteenth and seventeenth-century Ottoman sources and may date from the early 18th century. There is a tradition of western origin, according to which Suleiman the Magnificent was "Suleiman II", but that tradition has been based on an erroneous assumption that Süleyman Çelebi was to be recognised as
11858-567: The territories of the German king Ferdinand, as well as 150 galleys against Charles, while France promised to attack Flanders , harass the coasts of Spain with a naval force, and send 40 galleys to assist the Turks for operations in the Levant. In August 1551, Ottoman naval commander Turgut Reis attacked and captured Tripoli , which had been a possession of the Knights of Malta since 1530. In 1553, Turgut Reis
11979-450: The throne as the tenth Ottoman Sultan. An early description of Suleiman, a few weeks following his accession, was provided by the Venetian envoy Bartolomeo Contarini : The sultan is only twenty-five years [actually 26] old, tall and slender but tough, with a thin and bony face. Facial hair is evident, but only barely. The sultan appears friendly and in good humor. Rumor has it that Suleiman
12100-547: The throne in 1703. Ahmet III’s gardens in Istanbul were adorned with tulips from Turkey’s mountains and the finest bulbs imported from Dutch commercial growers. Throughout his reign, he imported millions of Dutch tulip bulbs, reflecting the enduring legacy of Suleiman’s influence and the extravagant height of tulip culture during this period. Suleiman had two known consorts: Suleiman I had at least eight sons: Süleyman had two daughters: Suleiman fell in love with Hurrem Sultan ,
12221-423: The throne. Under his pen name, Muhibbi, Sultan Suleiman composed this poem for Hurrem Sultan: Throne of my lonely niche, my wealth, my love, my moonlight. My most sincere friend, my confidant, my very existence, my Sultan, my one and only love. The most beautiful among the beautiful ... My springtime, my merry faced love, my daytime, my sweetheart, laughing leaf ... My plants, my sweet, my rose,
12342-509: The throne. Ibrahim eventually fell from grace with the Sultan and his wife. Suleiman consulted his Qadi , who suggested that Ibrahim be put to death. The Sultan recruited assassins and ordered them to strangle Ibrahim in his sleep. Shahnama-yi Al-i Osman The Shahnama-yi Al-i Osman (or Shahnameh-ye Al-e Osman ; "Book of Kings of the House of Osman ") is a 1558 Ottoman work of universal and Islamic history written in Persian . It
12463-414: The time, Ibrahim was only about thirty years old and lacked any actual military expertise; it is said that 'tongues wagged' at this unprecedented promotion straight from palace service to the two highest offices of the empire. During his thirteen years as Grand Vizier, his rapid rise to power and vast accumulation of wealth had made Ibrahim many enemies at the Sultan's court. Suleiman's suspicion of Ibrahim
12584-417: The top and can be found in every illustration. In "Arrival of the Austrian Ambassadors," Austrians are shown wearing red and maroon caps and in "Death of Kalender," the rebel Kalender and his men are shown wearing white turbans with cinched midsections. The significance of the number 10 is prevalent throughout the Süleymannâme in the metaphysical context. This number is used to show Suleiman's significance as
12705-518: The trade routes to the Portuguese and maintained a significant level of trade with the Mughal Empire throughout the 16th century. From 1526 until 1543, Suleiman stationed over 900 Turkish soldiers to fight alongside the Somali Adal Sultanate led by Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi during the Conquest of Abyssinia . After the first Ajuran-Portuguese war , the Ottoman Empire would in 1559 absorb
12826-511: The tulip were woven into rugs and fired into ceramics. Suleiman is credited with large-scale cultivation of the tulip and it is thought that the tulips spread throughout Europe because of Suleiman. It is thought that diplomats who visited him were gifted the flowers while visiting his court. Suleiman’s passion for tulips set a precedent for their cultivation and cultural significance in the Ottoman Empire. This fascination continued to flourish, reaching its zenith under Sultan Ahmet III, who ascended
12947-660: The units in the Ehl-i Hiref, was in charge of decorating the manuscripts commissioned for imperial libraries. The unit was hierarchical, with members utilizing styles from across the empire, but particularly Tabriz masters and their trainees between 1520 and the 1540s. Nakkaşane artists strongly influenced the decorative styles of the time, for example, the Saz style composed of naturalistic imagery. The nakkaşane created hundreds of manuscripts consisting of classic tales, poetry, paintings, calligraphy, and illuminations. Illustrated histories like
13068-623: The weakened Adal Sultanate into its domain. This expansion furthered Ottoman rule in Somalia and the Horn of Africa . This also increased its influence in the Indian Ocean to compete with the Portuguese Empire with its close ally, the Ajuran Empire . In 1564, Suleiman received an embassy from Aceh (a sultanate on Sumatra , in modern Indonesia ), requesting Ottoman support against the Portuguese. As
13189-469: The well-known Everyone aims at the same meaning, but many are the versions of the story . When his young son Mehmed died in 1543, he composed a moving chronogram to commemorate the year: Peerless among princes, my Sultan Mehmed . In Turkish the chronogram reads شهزادهلر گزیدهسی سلطان محمدم ( Şehzadeler güzidesi Sultan Muhammed'üm ), in which the Arabic Abjad numerals total 955, the equivalent in
13310-538: The western coast of the Mughal Empire. Sailing on, the Ottomans failed against the Portuguese at the siege of Diu in September 1538, but then returned to Aden, where they fortified the city with 100 pieces of artillery. From this base, Sulayman Pasha managed to take control of the whole country of Yemen, also taking Sana'a . With its strong control of the Red Sea , Suleiman successfully managed to dispute control of
13431-447: Was a man of Persian elite and Arif states in the Süleymannâme that his father was from the city of Abadan . His father makes an appearance in the Süleymannâme again as an elderly figure where Arif pays respect to his father with lines of appreciation. His family came from a background of religion, intellect and politics. It is not known if he had siblings nor if he was married or if he had children. Around 1545, Arifi Celebi arrived at
13552-487: Was an inseparable friend and possible lover of Suleiman. In fact, he is referred to by his chroniclers as "the favourite" (Maḳbūl) along with "the executed" (Maḳtūl). Historians state that Suleiman I is remembered for "his passion for two of his slaves: for his beloved Ibrahim when the sultan was a hot-blooded youth, and for his beloved Hurrem when he was mature." Ibrahim was originally a Christian from Parga (in Epirus ), who
13673-632: Was campaigning in Hungary, Turkmen tribes in central Anatolia (in Cilicia ) revolted under the leadership of Kalender Çelebi . Some Hungarian nobles proposed that Ferdinand , who was the ruler of neighboring Austria and tied to Louis II's family by marriage, be King of Hungary, citing previous agreements that the Habsburgs would take the Hungarian throne if Louis died without heirs. However, other nobles turned to
13794-483: Was captured in a raid during the 1499–1503 Ottoman–Venetian War , and was given as a slave to Suleiman most likely in 1514. Ibrahim converted to Islam and Suleiman made him the royal falconer , then promoted him to first officer of the Royal Bedchamber. It was reported that they slept together in the same bed. The sultan also built Ibrahim a lavish palace on the ancient Hippodrome , Istanbul's main forum outside
13915-414: Was forced to pay a fixed yearly sum to the Sultan for the Hungarian lands he continued to control. Of more symbolic importance, the treaty referred to Charles V not as "Emperor" but as the "King of Spain", leading Suleiman to identify as the true "Caesar". In 1552, Suleiman's forces laid siege to Eger , located in the northern part of the Kingdom of Hungary, but the defenders led by István Dobó repelled
14036-452: Was hobbled by overstretched supply lines. In 1533 the Treaty of Constantinople was signed by Ferdinand I , in which he acknowledged Ottoman suzerainty and recognised Suleiman as his "father and suzerain", he also agreed to pay an annual tribute and accepted the Ottoman grand vizier as his brother and equal in rank. By the 1540s, a renewal of the conflict in Hungary presented Suleiman with
14157-538: Was nominated commander of Tripoli by Suleiman, making the city an important center for piratical raids in the Mediterranean and the capital of the Ottoman province of Tripolitania . In 1560, a powerful naval force was sent to recapture Tripoli, but that force was defeated in the Battle of Djerba . Elsewhere in the Mediterranean, when the Knights Hospitallers were re-established as the Knights of Malta in 1530, their actions against Muslim navies quickly drew
14278-474: Was popular with the population. This work can be seen as a move to elevate this ruler's image as his own actions decreased his popularity. A relationship between Suleiman and God is made which functions in two ways. First, it shows him as the Creator, but also as a divine figure. Second, his position was not only approved by God himself, but he was chosen to rule by God. Adding to Suleiman's religious significance, he
14399-592: Was to last more than three hundred years. The Sultan also played a role in protecting the Jewish subjects of his empire for centuries to come. In late 1553 or 1554, on the suggestion of his favorite doctor and dentist, the Spanish Jew Moses Hamon , the Sultan issued a firman ( فرمان ) formally denouncing blood libels against the Jews. Furthermore, Suleiman enacted new criminal and police legislation, prescribing
14520-399: Was worsened by a quarrel between the latter and the finance secretary ( defterdar ) İskender Çelebi . The dispute ended in the disgrace of Çelebi on charges of intrigue, with Ibrahim convincing Suleiman to sentence the defterdar to death. Ibrahim also supported Şehzade Mustafa as the successor of Suleiman. This caused disputes between him and Hurrem Sultan, who wanted her sons to succeed to
14641-417: Was written in five volumes by Fethullah Arif (died c. 1561-1562 ), an Ottoman writer and court eulogist, for his patron Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ( r. 1520–1566). Only three volumes are extant. The literary and to a lesser extent visual agenda of Arif's work imitated Ferdowsi 's classic portrayal of Iranian legendary history as shown in his Shahnameh ("Book of Kings")," as
#993006