Extract

Kaya Şahin’s Peerless among Princes: The Life and Times of Sultan Süleyman provides us with an in-depth investigation of the Ottoman sovereign’s life based on thorough research of a wide array of primary sources and comprehensive reading of studies in multiple languages. This ambitious undertaking has produced a cohesive study on one of the most noteworthy sovereigns not only of the Ottoman Empire but of the early modern world, which has been particularly needed in the Anglophone world. In addition to complementing existing works on Süleyman’s multifaceted reign from 1520 to 1566, it joins a growing number of consequential biographies in Ottoman studies. It is also a timely intervention, as Süleyman’s memory continues to fascinate popular audiences.

Şahin has two principal goals: Firstly, he argues that Süleyman was actively and purposefully involved in constructing his legacy through wide-ranging endeavors, from patronage of historical accounts of his reign to establishing countless endowments from Istanbul to Jerusalem. In his conclusion, he links these legacy-building efforts to the historical conceptualization of Süleyman that continues to evolve to this day.

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