Podcasts · The Story of Turkey: From Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire to Today — Fexingo History
The Sultanate of Women: Power, Plot, and the Harem
· 9:57 · S5 E202
Episode The Sultanate of Women: Power, Plot, and the Harem
In this episode of The Story of Turkey, Lucas and Luna explore the Sultanate of Women — the century when the Ottoman harem's most powerful women shaped the empire's destiny. From Nurbanu Sultan, the Venetian-born mother of Selim II, to Safiye Sultan, who corresponded with Queen Elizabeth I, to Kösem Sultan, the formidable regent who protected her sons and grandsons through palace intrigue, we trace how these women wielded influence from the harem's private chambers. We'll also discuss the role of the Valide Sultan, the politics of royal succession, and the janissary revolts that threatened to undo everything. Along the way, we uncover how Turhan Hatice — the last of the great regents — helped rise of the Köprülü dynasty and built the Yeni Cami. This episode dives into a world of political maneuvering, family drama, and statecraft that challenges everything you thought you knew about the Ottoman court.
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Transcript
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