Comments
Atharaphelun t1_iv938vp wrote
Speaking of which, I strongly suggest watching the two Turkish historical dramas, Magnificent Century and Magnificent Century: Kösem, if you want to know about the so-called "Sultanate of Women" period of Ottoman history when female political giants such as Hürrem Sultan, Mihrimah Sultan, Safiye Sultan, Kösem Sultan, etc. took an active role in the state and foreign affairs of the Ottoman Empire. While they are historical fiction shows and therefore most of the story is fictional for the purposes of drama and storytelling, a lot of the broader events covered in those shows are historically accurate, or at least based on various historical accounts (some of which are contradictory to each other). You can even follow along the big events in the two shows on Wikipedia or other sources, for example, for the actual historical accounts of those events and compare them with the show.
Note that both shows (especially the first one) are very long with so many episodes, with each episode being an average of just over 1 hour and a half in length, with some of the longest ones (usually the ones containing events of greatest historical significance) being 2 and a half hours. Both series are available in their entirety, with English subtitles, in Youtube.
Bentresh t1_iv96hg4 wrote
I recently started watching Magnificent Century after reading Leslie Peirce’s superb book on the Ottoman harem and have enjoyed it a lot so far.
Atharaphelun t1_iv96ysy wrote
The storytelling, acting, cinematography, etc. are all absolutely impeccable, although the subtitles could use a lot of improvement (especially the deeper you go into those shows). One extremely common issue for example is the inability of the translators to distinguish between he/him/his/she/her/hers because Turkish apparently has no grammatical gender.
TheMDNA OP t1_iva15i9 wrote
They are updating the translations, they are reuploading the episodes with much improved subtitles.
Atharaphelun t1_iva1m1h wrote
> they are reuploading the episodes with much improved subtitles.
Wait so that's why I keep seeing the episodes get constantly reuploaded? I thought they just did that for "visibility" or "exposure" or whatever reason. 😅
I guess that means I'll be rewatching!
[deleted] t1_iva1wtg wrote
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PlayRevolutionary344 t1_iw3e02s wrote
I apologise if I'm wrong I could be mixing my Chinese or Turkish history but someone told me there is a famous concubine. The court painter wanted extra money from her or he would paint her ugly. She refused and was painted ugly. The king insisted she wore a veil in his presence because of the picture and put her low ranks? But then there was an issue with another country or nobelman or something and to keep peace he offered one of his concubine in marriage. And this concubine volunteered . Then when he handed her over to he seen her without her veil on and realised she was the most beautiful woman who walked walked earth and realised what a mistake he made. And was infuriated and has the court painter killed ? If this sounds familiar can you clarify who it was and recommend any documentaries about it? Apparently she went on to be famous
TheMDNA OP t1_iw3fyo2 wrote
I do not recall this from anything I've read about the Ottomans. I know that men from the outside were not allowed to enter the harem, therefore none of them knew what the concubine consorts looked like. The only men who were allowed in the harem were the male slave servants (eunuchs), the princes, and the Sultan himself. The paintings we see of the Ottoman concubines were all made by non-Ottomans (most of them), usually from Europe, who had never entered the harem. They imagined what these women looked like based on letters and rumours which described them.
PlayRevolutionary344 t1_iw3mse4 wrote
It's possibly a Chinese concubine then thank you 😊 though incredible history right there 👏 thanks for sharing! Would you know any good documentaries on the ottoman empire ? I'm from Britain so the idea of concubines is so exotic and unusual considering our most infamous king literally changed religion and history of England to be able to have extra wives and lovers
TheMDNA OP t1_iw3nk3m wrote
I can't remember any documentaries at the moment, but there are several really good books. I am currently reading Leslie Peirce's 'Empress of the East' and 'Imperial Harem'. Two very good books about the harem in particular. Then there are books like Caroline Finkel's 'Osman's dream, the Story of the Ottoman Empire 1300-1923' and Colin Imber's 'The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650'. The latter ones are more general books about the Ottoman Empire.
TheMDNA OP t1_iv76u3i wrote
One of my favorite historical figures. A slave girl who created one of the most fascinating periods in Ottoman history known as the 'Sultanate of Women', where consorts and mothers of the kings (often former slaves and concubines) had incredible amount of power.