Peerless among Princes: The Life and Times of Sultan Süleyman By Kaya Şahin

Kaya Şahin’s biography of Süleyman the Magnificent, the longest reigning sultan of the Ottoman empire, succeeds in humanizing an icon. Süleyman (r. 1520–1566) ruled when the Empire played a major role in European international relations and consequently has received both scholarly and popular attention for centuries. Thus, a new biography raises the question of the need for it, which Şahin’s skillful weaving of the human Süleyman with the sultan’s attempts to fashion a myth answers affirmatively. This biography highlights areas of Süleyman’s life that needed clarification and thus makes a valuable contribution. In the introduction, Şahin notes that despite Süleyman’s power and influence, two recent biographies of Charles V, Süleyman’s main rival on the global stage, ‘barely mention Süleyman, even though Charles’ own historians and bureaucrats left behind ample evidence to show that the Holy Roman Emperor was intensely preoccupied with Süleyman’s actions’ (p. 5). Şahin’s study properly includes major analysis of international relations during Süleyman’s reign while also contending with Eurocentric historical writing which has distorted understanding of the power dynamics in sixteenth-century Eurasia.

Şahin begins his biography by briefly summarizing Ottoman history up to the reign of Süleyman with special emphasis on Bayezid II’s reign (1481–1512) during which Süleyman was born. One of the most intriguing parts of the book is the chapter on Süleyman’s childhood and adolescence, bringing into clear focus the advantages and especially the disadvantages Süleyman experienced as one among many grandsons of the ruler and the son of the prince probably voted least likely to succeed his father. This analysis of the first eighteen years of Süleyman’s life brings to the fore how uncertain his future was until 1512 when his father Selim deposed Bayezid II and likely killed him afterward. When Süleyman approached his own old age his knowledge of his father’s actions toward his grandfather must have influenced his decisions to execute two sons who he feared might challenge his rule. Also, mindful of Selim’s character, Süleyman walked a fine line between serving as his father’s regent while Selim was on campaign while never appearing less than deferential to the sultan. Şahin’s careful examination of Süleyman’s life before he became sultan sets up his analysis of Süleyman’s later years as reflected in his early experiences.

In 1520 when Süleyman became sultan, he relocated to his capital city, Istanbul, until then a place that he had probably only visited once. Süleyman immediately had to take over the reins of government and that included investigating his father’s officials and, if he found them to have been unjust, to eventually execute some of them, such as Cafer, the commander of the fleet. With the accomplishments of Selim ever present, Süleyman had to consolidate the newly conquered territories and demonstrate that he too could conquer new territories. Süleyman succeeded by conquering two places where Mehmed the Conqueror had failed, Belgrade and Rhodes. While Şahin emphasizes the ideological importance of the conquest of Rhodes, more emphasis could have been put on its enormous strategic importance for the empire as, after the defeat of the Mamluks, the sea lanes to Egypt were vital for the well-being of the empire.

One of the more enlightening sections of the biography is the in-depth analysis of the relations between Süleyman and his grand vizier, Ibrahim. Against precedent, Ibrahim was promoted to this position after having been head of the sultan’s inner household. Süleyman and Ibrahim were not only friends, as Şahin demonstrates, but shared the same vision of the goals for Süleyman’s reign. As early as 1525 in the law code prepared for the newly pacified province of Egypt this shared vision was expressed in much more grandiose terms than merely being a just ruler. Later law codes continued to express these concepts. Şahin highlights the transcendental nature of Süleyman’s claims to greatness as ‘Master of the Auspicious Conjunction’.

Süleyman led many campaigns in person and naturally his personal leadership in Hungary and against the Safavids receives more careful consideration than the battles with the Habsburgs in the Mediterranean that were usually led by his officials. Hungary was where Süleyman distinguished himself at the Battle of Mohacs in 1526 and where his last campaign was fought in 1566. It is vital to have detailed analysis of the ebbs and flows of Süleyman’s successes and failures against the Habsburgs in this arena. Since this is a biography of Süleyman, it is understandable that the battles in the Mediterranean that he did not lead personally, receive less thorough attention. However, detailed account of the ebbs and flows of Süleyman’s successes and failures against the Habsburgs in the Mediterranean is needed. Unfortunately, the presentation here, as well as being hastily summarized, is also occasionally marred by over-simplification. Hayreddin Pasha’s relations with the Ottoman dynasty from his youth to his eventual invitation to become admiral as found in his Gazavat-ı Hayreddin Paşa, written at the sultan’s request, would clarify their interaction. Surprisingly, given Şahin’s critique of ignoring Süleyman’s importance in Eurocentric histories, Şahin after the first mention of Hayreddin Pasha, then refers to him as Barbarossa, reflecting European not Ottoman practice. In Süleyman’s correspondence with Hayreddin Pasha, he referred to him with great respect and with appropriate Ottoman honorifics.

The volume is lavishly illustrated, including 16 colour figures mainly taken from manuscripts commissioned by Süleyman to reflect how he wanted his reign to be remembered in word and image. In addition, there are numerous black and white figures throughout the volume in the appropriate locations. These include maps such as 6.3 showing the location of Ottoman vassals in Transylvania, Wallachia, and Moldavia, of great value to readers unfamiliar with these geographic locations.

Süleyman’s private life previously has been carefully studied in a biography of Hurrem, first his concubine and eventually his wife. Şahin’s attention to Süleyman’s mother, Hafsa, and her use of the title valide-i sultan, reveals the growing political roles of sultanic women in the sixteenth century. While his treatment of Hafsa is exemplary, some of the other female members of the dynasty deserve more careful attention. Mihrimah had two mosques built in her name. Şahin mistakenly describes the earlier one at Uskudar as being noted for its unique design allowing abundant light to enter the mosque, which actually more correctly describes the later one at Edirnekapı. For clarification see Isom-Verhaaren, ‘A princess constructs Ottoman dynastic identity’, in Christine Isom-Verhaaren and Kent F. Schull, Living in the Ottoman Realm (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2016).

Throughout the book Şahin carefully weaves together Süleyman’s concern with his reputation and his efforts to enhance it as he approached his old age. As many sultans before him, Süleyman planned a mosque complex in his name with associated charitable institutions to secure his legacy. Süleyman had the advantage of a great architect who designed a stunning mosque in a magnificent location. This mosque continues to dominate the skyline in Istanbul showing that Süleyman was highly successful in this project. Şahin carefully analyses the other attempt by Süleyman to establish his legacy, his commissioning of an illustrated history of his reign in Persian verse. While Turkish had become an appropriate language for historical writing by Süleyman’s reign, Şahin explains that Süleyman followed models of the Arabo-Persian cultural heritage that had inspired him. Several illustrations from the Sulaymānnāma are included in the colour plates, see figures 2–7, 9 and 12.

Şahin’s biography includes anecdotes about many members of the dynasty and Süleyman’s administration. Of special interest are nuggets of information about the female members of the dynasty. Since Süleyman’s relations with his grand viziers are an essential part of the story of his life, the woman who linked Ibrahim and Süleyman, Muhsine, whom Şahin claims was the daughter of Süleyman’s sister, is of great interest. Unfortunately, the index is of uneven quality for she neither appears in the index under ‘Muhsine’ nor under ‘Ibrahim, wife of’. All Süleyman’s sisters appear in the index under ‘sisters of Süleyman’ rather than under personal name.

Despite its minor imperfections, this biography should be welcomed by all who are interested in the reign of Süleyman, both specialists and non-specialists who, having watched the television series The Magnificent Century, are curious to know what is historical and what is not. Thus, to the question, do we need another biography of Süleyman, I answer affirmatively that the skillful weaving by Şahin of the human side of Süleyman with his carefully crafted image provides a better understanding of his pivotal reign, which impacted lands far beyond the territories he ruled.