How Ottoman Sultan Suleyman Conquered Most of Europe and the Mediterranean While Avoiding Assassination

History Unplugged Podcast

History Unplugged

Society & Culture, History

4.2 • 3.7K Ratings

🗓️ 12 January 2023

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Within a decade and a half, Ottoman Sultan Suleyman, who reigned form 1520 to 1566, held dominion over twenty-five million souls, from Baghdad to the walls of Vienna, and with the help of his brilliant pirate commander Barbarossa placed more Christians than ever before or since under Muslim rule. He launched voyages into the Indian Ocean, threatened to conquer all of Europe, and took firm control over the Mediterranean Sea.

And yet the real drama takes place in close-up: in small rooms and whispered conversations, behind the curtain of power. His confidantes include the Greek slave who becomes his Grand Vizier, the Venetian jewel dealer who acts as his go-between, and the Russian consort who becomes his most beloved wife.

Today’s guest Christopher de Bellaigue, author of The Lion House. He tells not just the story of rival superpowers in an existential duel, nor of one of the most consequential lives in human history, but of what it means to live in a time when a few men get to decide the fate of the world.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Suleyman the Magnificent led the Ottoman Empire at the height of its power.
0:08.5	From 1520 to 1566, he ruled over 25 million subjects from Baghdad to the walls of Vienna,
0:14.2	writing to conquer Europe, it had a number of naval victories that turned the Mediterranean
0:18.3	into an Ottoman lake.
0:19.9	The launch voyages into the Indian Ocean, and other than Charles V of the Habsburgs
0:24.0	was probably the most powerful ruler in the world of the time.
0:27.0	The real drama of his rule took place in close-ups.
0:29.9	In small rooms with whisper conversations, the Greek slave who became his grand vizier,
0:34.6	the Venetian jewel dealer who acted as his go-between and told him who was or wasn't trying
0:39.9	to assassinate him, most importantly with Thurem, the Russian consort who entered the
0:44.7	harem and became his most beloved wife, and according to some historians, triggered a snowball
0:49.8	effect that caused the downfall of the Empire centuries later.
0:53.0	Today's guest is Christopher Dubaleg, author of the new book The Lion House, The Coming
0:57.4	of a King.
0:58.4	We discussed the early years of Suleyman's reign, and what it means to live in a time when
1:01.7	a few men get to decide the fate of the world.
1:03.8	Hope you enjoyed this discussion with Christopher Dubaleg.
1:06.4	In one more thing before we get started with this episode, a quick break for word from our
1:12.9	sponsors.
1:15.3	This episode is brought to you by Slack.
1:18.0	With Slack, you can bring all your people and tools together in one place.
1:22.1	Create your digital HQ where you can increase productivity, enable flexibility and automate
	...

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