The Government of the Ottoman Empire in the Time of Suleiman the Magnificent

A historical account written in the early 20th century. The work examines the structure, institutions, and underlying ideas that shaped the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent in the sixteenth century. Its main topic is the organization and evolution of the political and social systems that enabled the empire to achieve its remarkable cohesion and power, focusing especially on the interplay between tradition, religious law, and the administrative innovations introduced at the time. The opening of the book sets the stage by emphasizing that nations are primarily formed by their shared ideas rather than by blood or race, using the Ottoman Empire as a key example of this principle. Lybyer offers a sweeping historical background, tracing the origins and migrations of the Turks, the merging of diverse cultures, and the transformation of lands and peoples that culminated in the Ottoman state's unique identity. The early sections outline the central dilemma faced by the empire: governing a vast, diverse realm through two main institutions—the Ruling Institution, comprised mainly of Christian-born slaves elevated to positions of power, and the Moslem Institution, responsible for religion, law, and education. Lybyer clearly details these structures, their origins, recruitment methods (especially the devshirme system of taking Christian boys for state service), and the complexities of Ottoman administration, land ownership, and the empire's relationship with its many peoples.