Empress of the east : how a European slave girl became queen of the Ottoman Empire Cover Image

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Empress of the east : how a European slave girl became queen of the Ottoman Empire / Leslie Peirce.

Summary:

"The extraordinary story of the Russian slave girl Roxelana, who rose from the role of concubine to become the only queen in Ottoman history In Empress of the East, historian Leslie Peirce tells the remarkable story of a Christian slave girl, Roxelana, who was abducted by warriors at age twelve from her Ruthenian homeland, and brought to the harem of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in Constantinople. Suleiman became besotted with her, and forsook all other mistresses. Then, in an unprecedented step, he made her the first and only queen in the Ottoman court. Although shrouded in scandal, the canny and sophisticated Roxelana became a shrewd diplomat and administrator, who helped Suleyman keep pace with a changing world in which women--from Queen Elizabeth to Catherine de Medici--increasingly held the reins of power. In Empress of the East, Pierce reveals the true history of an elusive figure who pushed the Ottoman Empire towards modernity"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

ISBN: 9780465032518
ISBN: 0465032516
Physical Description: 359 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: New York : Basic Books, 2017.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 339-345) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	Beginnings. The Russian concubine ; Abduction ; In the old palace ; The politics of motherhood ; Lovers and parents -- Challenges. Roxelana's rival ; Coming of age ; A queen for the new palace ; The two favorites ; Building a reputation -- Politics. Family matters ; Home and abroad ; Recovery ; Showdown ; Last years -- Epilogue.