Podcasts · The Story of Turkey: From Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire to Today — Fexingo History
Roxelana: The Slave Who Ruled the Ottoman Empire
· 8:36 · S4 E196
Episode Roxelana: The Slave Who Ruled the Ottoman Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the astonishing rise of Roxelana, the Ruthenian slave girl who became Hürrem Sultan, the legal wife of Suleiman the Magnificent and one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history. From her abduction in the Ukrainian steppes to her arrival in the harem, her rivalry with Mahidevran and her son Mustafa, and her unprecedented political influence, we trace how she broke every rule of the dynastic system. Learn how she corresponded with kings, funded vast charitable works, and moved the harem from the Old Palace to Topkapı, setting a precedent for the Sultanate of Women. We also touch on the controversy surrounding her role in the execution of Grand Vizier İbrahim Pasha and the death of Şehzade Mustafa, and we distinguish fact from legend in her story. This is a tale of ambition, survival, and love that reshaped an empire.
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Transcript
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