Ottoman Historical Documents - by V L Ménage (Paperback)

About the Book

This collection of translated primary sources for Ottoman history shows how the major institutions of Ottoman government developed, and how they functioned in practice. Each text benefits from a brief contextualising introduction, annotations and a glossary explaining technical terminology and problems of interpretation.

Book Synopsis

This collection of translated primary sources for Ottoman history shows how the major institutions of Ottoman government developed and functioned. Each chapter covers a key topic: Legitimation and Titulature; Princes; Recruitment into the Sultan's service; the Vizierate and the Dīvān; the Religio-Legal Institution; Ḳānūnnāmes (sultanic legislation); Taxation and Finance; Waqfs (endowments); and Treaties and Foreign Relations. Chapters include a brief introduction to provide context for the documents, annotations and a glossary explaining technical terminology and problems of interpretation.

From the Back Cover

Ottoman documents in English translation, from the period of the empire's rise to greatness This collection of translated primary sources for Ottoman history - edited with notes and commentary - shows how the major institutions of Ottoman government developed, and how they functioned in practice. Each chapter covers a key topic and includes a brief introduction to provide context for the documents which follow:  Legitimation and titulature  Princes  Recruitment into the Sultan's service  The vizierate  Provincial administration and the tīmār system  The religio-legal institution  Ḳānūnnāmes (legal codes)  Taxation and finance  Waqfs (endowments)  Treaties and foreign relations Annotations and a glossary explaining technical terminology and problems of interpretation within each item are also included. Key Features  A systematic collection of source materials for students of Ottoman history  Fluent translations with technical vocabulary explained in the notes and glossary, making the documents accessible to teachers and students  A succinct introduction to each chapter placing the documents in context  Translations from Ottoman Turkish, Greek, Arabic, Persian, Latin and Italian, showcasing the different types of source material encountered in historical research  Provides valuable comparative material for historians of the late mediaeval and early modern Mediterranean and Middle East. V. L. Ménage (1920-2015) was Professor of Turkish at SOAS, University of London. Colin Imber was Reader in Turkish at the University of Manchester. He is author of The Ottoman Empire (1300-1650) (3rd edition, 2019), The Crusade of Vama (2006) and Ebu's-su'ud: The Islamic Legal Tradition (1997).

About the Author

V. L. Ménage (1920-2015) was Professor of Turkish at SOAS, London.

Colin Imber was formerly a Reader in Turkish at the University of Manchester.