Podcasts · The Story of Turkey: From Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire to Today — Fexingo History
The Ottoman Iron Lady: Kösem Sultan and the Women Who Ruled
· 8:49 · S4 E195
Episode The Ottoman Iron Lady: Kösem Sultan and the Women Who Ruled
In Episode 195 of The Story of Turkey, we dive into the extraordinary life of Kösem Sultan, the Greek-born slave girl who became one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history. From her rise as the favourite of Ahmed I to her role as regent for two of her sons, Kösem navigated the treacherous politics of the Topkapı Palace, the Janissaries, and the ulema. We explore her rivalry with the Valide Sultan Turhan Hatice, the Harem's influence on imperial policy, and the brutal struggle that led to Kösem's death by strangulation in 1651. Along the way, we touch on the devshirme system, the Köprülü reforms, and the great fire of 1660, which shaped Istanbul's skyline. This episode reveals how a woman, despite all odds, wielded power in a patriarchal empire and left a legacy that still sparks debate among historians. Tune in for a story of ambition, survival, and the iron will of a sultan's mother.
#KosemSultan #OttomanEmpire #ValideSultan #Harem #TopkapiPalace #AhmedI #TurhanHatice #Janissaries #Devshirme #KopruluReforms #Istanbul #WomenInHistory #SultanateOfWomen #OttomanPolitics #History #FexingoHistory #OttomanDynasty #17thCentury
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