At one mention of a harem in the head ariseimages of mysterious and beautiful eastern women who could conquer a man with one glance. Despite the fact that, in fact, the concubines were slaves, they treated them with dignity. There were many women in the Sultan's harem, but there were also favorites-those who were fortunate enough to give birth to the sons' sultan. They had special respect and honor. Sultan's harem was divided into three groups. In the first there were already elderly concubines, in the other two very young. All women were trained in the art of flirting and literacy.
The third group consisted of the most beautiful andexpensive concubines, who gave their society not only to the sultans, but also princes. When the girls got into the palace, they were given a new name (usually Persian), which was supposed to reflect their essence. Here are some examples: Nerginelek ("angel"), Nazluzhdamal ("coquette"), Cesmira ("girl with beautiful eyes"), Nergidezada ("similar to daffodil"), Majamal ("lunolikaya").
Until the 15th century, it was customary in the Ottoman Empire to haveIn addition to the harem, they were also legitimate wives, usually they became foreign princesses. Marriage was necessary to strengthen the power and support of other states. The Ottoman Empire grew and gained strength, there was no longer any need to seek support, so the family continued the children of concubines. The sultan's harem replaced and ousted a legitimate marriage. The concubines enjoyed their rights and privileges. The Sultan's women never needed anything, they could leave their master if they wanted after nine years.
Those who left the palace were given houses,a dowry was issued. These women were called palace people and had respect in society, they were given diamonds, fabrics, gold watches, everything that was necessary for building a house was also paid regular allowance. However, most girls did not want to leave the harem of the Sultan, even if they did not become favorites and did not receive the attention of the master, they became servants and raised more young girls.
Suleiman's Love for Roxolana-Hurrem
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent was worthyruler, warrior, legislator and tyrant. This man was versatile, he was fond of music, wrote poetry, knew several languages, loved jewelry and blacksmithing. Under his rule, the Ottoman Empire reached its highest heights. The character of the ruler was contradictory: severity, cruelty and ruthlessness were combined with sentimentality. At 26, Suleiman began to rule the Ottoman Empire.
During this period, the numerous Turkish haremthe sultan was replenished by a concubine from Western Ukraine. A beautiful girl named Roksolana, she was very cheerful, so she was given the name of Hurrem, which means "cheerful." Beauty immediately won the attention of the Sultan. At that time, the beloved woman was Mahidevra, who, jealous, scratched a new concubine face, tore her dress and patted her hair. When Khurrem was invited to the sultan's bedchamber, she refused to go to the ruler in this way. Suleiman, learning about what happened, was angry with Mahidevran and made Roksolana his beloved woman.
In the harem there was a rule that said that a concubinecan have only one child from the Sultan. Suleiman was so in love with Hurrem that he gave her five children and refused to meet with other women. In addition, another traditional rule was violated - he married, so this was the first legal marriage of the Sultan and concubine in the history of the Ottoman Empire. Hürrem was the most important person in the palace for 25 years and had unlimited power over her husband. She died before her lover.
The Last Love of Suleiman
After the death of Khurrem, the ruler's feelings broke outonly to one concubine - Gyulfem. The girl was 17 years old when she got into the Sultan's harem. Hurrem and Gyulf were completely different. The last love of the Sultan was a calm woman, despite her unprecedented beauty, attracted Suleiman in her kindness and meek temper. All the nights he spent only with Gyulf, the rest of the concubines were madly jealous, but there was nothing they could do about it.
This lovely and calm woman decided to buildmosque. Not wanting publicity, she did not say anything about this to the Sultan. She gave all her salary for construction. Once the money was over, the girl did not want to ask her lover for help, because it was below her dignity. She took money from another concubine who agreed to pay her salaries for several nights with the Sultan. Suleiman was surprised to see another in his chambers, he wanted to share the bed only with Gulf. When several nights the beloved referred to the illness, and another concubine came to replace her, Suleiman became angry. The insidious rival told the master that the nights with him were sold for a salary. The eunuchs in the harem of Sultan Suleiman were ordered to whip Gyufem with ten blows of the rods, but she died of such shame even before the punishment. When the governor found out the true cause of the act of the beloved, he long grieved and regretted that he did not talk to her until the punishment was imposed. The mosque was completed by the order of Suleiman. Nearby was erected a school. Gulfe was buried in the garden of this small cullium.
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