Good morning!
In this post I want to tell you about a great woman, who lived in 16th century, my compatriot, beloved wife of Sultan Suleyman I - Haseki Hürrem Sultan.
"Roxelana, the wife of Suleyman the Magnificent "
unknown author, between the XVIII and XIX century
Alexandra/Anastasia Lisowska, a.k.a. Roxelana, was born nearly 1500-1505 in a family of priest. Her childhood years were spent in the picturesque Rohatyn, Galicia, Kingdom of Poland (now - Rohatyn, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine (it's in 99 km from my city).
In 1520 she was captured by Crimean Tatars during their attack on Rohatyn and selected by Ibrahim Pasha of Parga for Sultan Suleiman's harem. Obviously, in the first times, harem, as the whole palace was like a hell for her. She was like a bird, driven into a cage. Horrible pain hurted her heart, she really missed her parents, sister, lover, who all were killed by the Tatars... But this behavior was unacceptable. Strict laws of the harem forced Roxolana to recover. Otherwise, she wouldn't have survived there, probably.
The great padishah Sultan Suleyman I revived her. He loved her more than everything in the whole world. Soon she became his legal wife. About their love were composed many songs and legends.
Hyurrem bore him 5 shehzade: Mehmed, Mihrimah, Selim, Bayezid, Dzhihangir, Abdullah and beautiful daughter Mihrimah Sultan.
"Suleyman and his son Bayezid" miniature, 1560's
"Kameriya" (probably a portrait of Mihrimah)
Titian, about 1555
Hyurrem Sultan was very powerful, wise and cunning woman. She wanted to make one of her sons the heir of Suleyman's throne. By intrigues she has achieved death of Ibrahim Pasha (Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, Hatidze Sultana's husband). However, Sultan was very sorry that executed him, because all his life he was his true friend. Even were found verses that Suleyman devoted to Ibrahim. On his place was appointed Rustem Pasha, Mihrimah Sultana's husband.
Probably, Rustem Pasha
thumbnail of XVI century
Together with Rustem, Hyurrem persuaded Sultan that Shehzade Mustafa (son of Mahidevran Sultan and Suleyman I) wants to take the throne. Then the Great Shehzade was executed October 6, 1553 in a military camp. And some weeks later was executed his 7 years old son - Mehemed...
Suffocation of Mustafa thumbnail of XVI century
Hyurrem's intrigues were everywhere. In fact, she secretly managed the palace and whole Empire using her wisdom, servants and the power of her husband.
And there are few words about her sons.
Sehzade Abdullah was fatally ill and died, when he was 3.
22-years old Shehzade Mehmed died from smallpox (1), or in result of intrigues of Mahidevran Sultan (2). On his grave was installed a throne of ivory.
Shehzade Dzhihanhir didn't claimed to the throne, because he was ill since childhood (he had a hump on his back). Almost every day he suffered terrible pain, so that's why he forced to take narcotics, from which he soon died.
Shehzade Bayazid died fighting for the throne November 28, 1562.
After the death of Suleyman, has come the beginning of the reign of Selim II. He was not interested in politics. He liked to spent all the time with the women and drank a lot of alcohol.
Selim II. Turkish miniature
Since then has come a period of decline of the Ottoman Empire.
In my opinion, this all could not happen. But now there is no need to praise or blame someone. I so much like Hyurrem Sultan for her charisma, stubbornness, cunning and ability to reach goal in any circumstances. She hasn't lost these qualities until her death.
It was a woman with a rigid mind and a cold heart, which was loving and sincere only for those, who really wished her good.
It is necessary follow her in this. In today's cruel world is the key to success.
T.K,
In this post I want to tell you about a great woman, who lived in 16th century, my compatriot, beloved wife of Sultan Suleyman I - Haseki Hürrem Sultan.
"Roxelana, the wife of Suleyman the Magnificent "
unknown author, between the XVIII and XIX century
Alexandra/Anastasia Lisowska, a.k.a. Roxelana, was born nearly 1500-1505 in a family of priest. Her childhood years were spent in the picturesque Rohatyn, Galicia, Kingdom of Poland (now - Rohatyn, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine (it's in 99 km from my city).
In 1520 she was captured by Crimean Tatars during their attack on Rohatyn and selected by Ibrahim Pasha of Parga for Sultan Suleiman's harem. Obviously, in the first times, harem, as the whole palace was like a hell for her. She was like a bird, driven into a cage. Horrible pain hurted her heart, she really missed her parents, sister, lover, who all were killed by the Tatars... But this behavior was unacceptable. Strict laws of the harem forced Roxolana to recover. Otherwise, she wouldn't have survived there, probably.
The great padishah Sultan Suleyman I revived her. He loved her more than everything in the whole world. Soon she became his legal wife. About their love were composed many songs and legends.
Hyurrem bore him 5 shehzade: Mehmed, Mihrimah, Selim, Bayezid, Dzhihangir, Abdullah and beautiful daughter Mihrimah Sultan.
"Suleyman and his son Bayezid" miniature, 1560's
"Kameriya" (probably a portrait of Mihrimah)
Titian, about 1555
Hyurrem Sultan was very powerful, wise and cunning woman. She wanted to make one of her sons the heir of Suleyman's throne. By intrigues she has achieved death of Ibrahim Pasha (Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, Hatidze Sultana's husband). However, Sultan was very sorry that executed him, because all his life he was his true friend. Even were found verses that Suleyman devoted to Ibrahim. On his place was appointed Rustem Pasha, Mihrimah Sultana's husband.
Probably, Rustem Pasha
thumbnail of XVI century
Together with Rustem, Hyurrem persuaded Sultan that Shehzade Mustafa (son of Mahidevran Sultan and Suleyman I) wants to take the throne. Then the Great Shehzade was executed October 6, 1553 in a military camp. And some weeks later was executed his 7 years old son - Mehemed...
Suffocation of Mustafa thumbnail of XVI century
Hyurrem's intrigues were everywhere. In fact, she secretly managed the palace and whole Empire using her wisdom, servants and the power of her husband.
And there are few words about her sons.
Sehzade Abdullah was fatally ill and died, when he was 3.
22-years old Shehzade Mehmed died from smallpox (1), or in result of intrigues of Mahidevran Sultan (2). On his grave was installed a throne of ivory.
Shehzade Dzhihanhir didn't claimed to the throne, because he was ill since childhood (he had a hump on his back). Almost every day he suffered terrible pain, so that's why he forced to take narcotics, from which he soon died.
Shehzade Bayazid died fighting for the throne November 28, 1562.
After the death of Suleyman, has come the beginning of the reign of Selim II. He was not interested in politics. He liked to spent all the time with the women and drank a lot of alcohol.
Selim II. Turkish miniature
Since then has come a period of decline of the Ottoman Empire.
In my opinion, this all could not happen. But now there is no need to praise or blame someone. I so much like Hyurrem Sultan for her charisma, stubbornness, cunning and ability to reach goal in any circumstances. She hasn't lost these qualities until her death.
It was a woman with a rigid mind and a cold heart, which was loving and sincere only for those, who really wished her good.
It is necessary follow her in this. In today's cruel world is the key to success.
T.K,