The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650 surveys the history of the Ottoman Empire from its obscure origins in the fourteenth century, through its rise to world-power status in the sixteenth century, to the troubled times of the seventeenth century. Going beyond a simple narrative of Ottoman achievements and key events, Colin Imber uses original sources and research, as well as the rapidly expanding body of modern scholarship on the subject, to show how this complex state worked in practice.
Imber focuses on the fascinating internal structure and politics of the Ottoman Empire, analysing the various institutions through which the Ottoman Sultan projected his power: the dynasty, and the means of recruitment to dynastic service; the palace, court and central government; provincial government; the law; the army and the fleet. Imber charts the growth and development of these institutions over three-and-a-half centuries, until a period of crisis in the 1600s curbed the Empire's expansion and caused significant structural changes.
Fresh and dynamic, The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650 presents an unprejudiced view of one of the most important but, at the same time, most misunderstood empires of the pre-modern age. It is essential reading for all those with an interest, not only in the Ottomans, but also in the late medieval and early modern history of Western Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East.
'Clearly outperforms, in terms of comprehensiveness, accuracy and insight,
both generalist works written by non-specialists and introductions to
the subject by scholars.' - Colin Heywood, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
'Colin Imber's The Ottoman Empire describes the Empire in its early days and at its height. His book offers fascinating insights.' - Michiel Leezenberg, NCR Handelsblad
'...an intelligent and well-researched account of the first half of Ottoman history. Maps, glossary, list of sources, bibliography and an expert index add to its utility for the specialist as well as for the general reader.' - I. Metin Kunt, Cambridge and Istanbul, The Anglo-Hellenic Review
'...a faculty looking for a good textbook...and students seeking a valuable introduction...will both be well served...' - Jonathan Grant, History: Reviews of New Books
'This work is a valuable contribution to the small number of general histories of the Ottoman Empire. In summary, this is an excellent text for the study of Ottoman political and institutional history and could profitabley be used by both the general reader and Ottomanists.' - Christine Isom-Verhaaren, The Historian
'The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650...is, according to the introduction, an attempt to write a general history which will introduce Ottoman history to the non-specialist reader and provide a context against which one can read more specialist works in the field...On both counts the book is without doubt a success...This book will undoubtedly serve as a useful tool for introducing new students to the study of Ottoman history and spurring them on to produce the movement within this field.' - Times Literary Supplement
'...providing a well-researched and solid introduction that gives a clear sense of the evolution of the Ottoman polity...One of the most fascinating sections, appealing to a wider audience than students and scholars working on Middle-Eastern history, is the concluding discussion.' - Ulrike Freitag, Times Higher Education Supplement
'There is much here to attract not only the Ottoman specialist but also those other and more numerous specialists in late medieval and early modern European history.' - Colin Heywood, University of Hull, UK
'This book is a must for anyone who teaches Ottoman history at the undergraduate or graduate level; Ottomanists specializing in any period should add this to their shelves as a fundamental text from which to proceed into any further study of the Ottoman state apparatus and Ottoman methods of rule.' - Renee Worringer, H-Net Reviews
Maps
Introduction
Chronology
The Dynasty
Recruitment
The Palace
The Provinces
The Law
The Army
The Fleet
Some Conclusions
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
COLIN IMBER is Senior Lecturer in Turkish Studies at the University of Manchester.
Description
The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650 surveys the history of the Ottoman Empire from its obscure origins in the fourteenth century, through its rise to world-power status in the sixteenth century, to the troubled times of the seventeenth century. Going beyond a simple narrative of Ottoman achievements and key events, Colin Imber uses original sources and research, as well as the rapidly expanding body of modern scholarship on the subject, to show how this complex state worked in practice.
Imber focuses on the fascinating internal structure and politics of the Ottoman Empire, analysing the various institutions through which the Ottoman Sultan projected his power: the dynasty, and the means of recruitment to dynastic service; the palace, court and central government; provincial government; the law; the army and the fleet. Imber charts the growth and development of these institutions over three-and-a-half centuries, until a period of crisis in the 1600s curbed the Empire's expansion and caused significant structural changes.
Fresh and dynamic, The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650 presents an unprejudiced view of one of the most important but, at the same time, most misunderstood empires of the pre-modern age. It is essential reading for all those with an interest, not only in the Ottomans, but also in the late medieval and early modern history of Western Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East.
Reviews
'Clearly outperforms, in terms of comprehensiveness, accuracy and insight,
both generalist works written by non-specialists and introductions to
the subject by scholars.' - Colin Heywood, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
'Colin Imber's The Ottoman Empire describes the Empire in its early days and at its height. His book offers fascinating insights.' - Michiel Leezenberg, NCR Handelsblad
'...an intelligent and well-researched account of the first half of Ottoman history. Maps, glossary, list of sources, bibliography and an expert index add to its utility for the specialist as well as for the general reader.' - I. Metin Kunt, Cambridge and Istanbul, The Anglo-Hellenic Review
'...a faculty looking for a good textbook...and students seeking a valuable introduction...will both be well served...' - Jonathan Grant, History: Reviews of New Books
'This work is a valuable contribution to the small number of general histories of the Ottoman Empire. In summary, this is an excellent text for the study of Ottoman political and institutional history and could profitabley be used by both the general reader and Ottomanists.' - Christine Isom-Verhaaren, The Historian
'The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650...is, according to the introduction, an attempt to write a general history which will introduce Ottoman history to the non-specialist reader and provide a context against which one can read more specialist works in the field...On both counts the book is without doubt a success...This book will undoubtedly serve as a useful tool for introducing new students to the study of Ottoman history and spurring them on to produce the movement within this field.' - Times Literary Supplement
'...providing a well-researched and solid introduction that gives a clear sense of the evolution of the Ottoman polity...One of the most fascinating sections, appealing to a wider audience than students and scholars working on Middle-Eastern history, is the concluding discussion.' - Ulrike Freitag, Times Higher Education Supplement
'There is much here to attract not only the Ottoman specialist but also those other and more numerous specialists in late medieval and early modern European history.' - Colin Heywood, University of Hull, UK
'This book is a must for anyone who teaches Ottoman history at the undergraduate or graduate level; Ottomanists specializing in any period should add this to their shelves as a fundamental text from which to proceed into any further study of the Ottoman state apparatus and Ottoman methods of rule.' - Renee Worringer, H-Net Reviews
Contents
Maps
Introduction
Chronology
The Dynasty
Recruitment
The Palace
The Provinces
The Law
The Army
The Fleet
Some Conclusions
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Authors
COLIN IMBER is Senior Lecturer in Turkish Studies at the University of Manchester.
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