The Ottoman Empire: The Classical Age 1300-1600

Halil İnalcık

Phoenix Press, 2000 - Civilization, Medieval - 257 pages

Born as a military frontier principality at the turn of the Fourteenth century, Turkey developed into the dominant force in Anatolia and the Balkans, growing to become the most powerful Islamic state after 1517 when it incorporated the old Arab lands. This distinctively Eastern culture, with all its detail and intricacies, is explored here by a pre-eminent scholar of Turkish history. He gives a striking picture of the prominence of religion and warfare in everyday life as well as the traditions of statecraft, administration, social values, financial and land policies. The definitive account, this is an indispensable companion to anyone with an interest in Islam, Turkey and the Balkans.

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User Review -

Honest portray of an Empire which influenced Balkans and Middle East’s politics and economics. I wondered where “the Overton window” idea came from then l came across this on page 154 ( hisba or Ihtisab: the authority should actively support generally accepted social standards and prohibitions) so here it is.  

About the author

Halil Inalcik is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Chicago. Born in Istanbul, he was a Professor of Ottoman History at the University of Ankara from 1952 until 1972. He then joined the University of Chicago where he taught until his retirement in 1986. He is currently Professor of Ottoman History at Bilknet University in Ankara.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Ottoman Empire: The Classical Age 1300-1600; History of civilization; Phoenix Press Series; Phoenix press paperback
• Author: Halil İnalcık
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Phoenix Press, 2000
• ISBN: 1842124420, 9781842124420
• Length: 257 pages