Ghanima Atreides (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
atreideslioness) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2009-02-16 08:28 am
atreideslioness) wrote in fandomhigh2009-02-16 08:28 am
Entry tags:
Mad Kings & Queens, Week VII [Monday, Period 4]
Ghanima was sitting on her desk as the class filed in today, a cup of spiced coffee clutched in her hands. Against the wall by the door, large carafes of coffee, tea, and juice sat on a table and waited for the students.
"I'm sure many of you had busy weekends," she said, watching as they got settled. "And I am quite aware that next week is Spring Break. Regardless, I need you awake and with me today."
"When Mustafa I was born, a tradition had long been in place in Turkey that newly crowned Sultans would execute any contenders to the throne. Namely, their brothers," Ghanima said, hopping off her desk to wander the room. "When Mustafa's brother, Ahmed, came to the throne, he decided to spare his little brother's life, and instead he was confined to his room in virtual imprisonment, a system called Kafes, for fourteen years."
"You must keep in mind that the early history of the Ottoman Empire is littered with succession wars between rival sons of the deceased sultan. Therefore, it was almost considered the law that once the new sultan ascended to the throne, he had his brothers killed, sometimes dozens of them at once, including infants," Ghanima continued briskly. "Although this practice effectively reduced the number of claimants to the throne, there were several occasions where the Ottoman line seemed destined to end. The introduction of confinement of heirs provided security for an incumbent sultan and continuity of the dynasty. It wreaked havoc on their education and mental health, but it was seen as a measure to guarantee succession."
"When Ahmet I died in 1617 his eldest son was only 13 years old and for the first time in 14 generations the succession was altered by the Imperial Council so that the late sultan's brother acceded to the throne as Mustafa I."
"When Mustafa was first freed, his mental health was hotly debated at court. Some said he was divinely inspired and a religious visionary. Others saw his ranting as psychotic rather than celestial. His policies and orders did little to gain any confidence: any kind page or generous farmer could find themselves in an exalted position of considerable power at the royal court. This annoyed enough courtiers to tip the balance of public opinion against him, and after less-than a year, Mustafa was returned to his cage."
"For the next four years, Mustafa remained locked away with two female slaves to care for him. Outside, Osman II, his late brother's son, was ruling. He issued edicts against everything from tobacco to alcohol, and practiced with bow and arrow on living targets around the court. Ultimately, he made himself very unpopular, and was tortured to death in 1622."
"During this period, Mustafa was rather content in his cage. When he was released in 1623, he refused to leave at first, and had to be dragged out at the end of a rope. Despite his objections, questionable mental health, and obvious inadequacies, Mustafa was a reluctant sultan once more."
"Again entrusted with governing Turkey, terrified of the responsibility, and unprepared, he set out to wreak havoc. He slaughtered all those who had been responsible for removing him from his cage, including his nephew. Farm laborers, donkey drivers, and other unlikely subjects found themselves promoted. Taxes went unpaid, armed forces went unsalaried, and nationwide anarchy loomed. Meanwhile, Mustafa ran in search of Osman, convinced he was alive and begging him to return and take over the throne. When he ordered the execution of all Osman's brothers, he was persuaded by his court to renounce the throne, and turn over the monarchy to another one of his nephews."
"Mustafa returned to his cage one last time, late in 1623. He died there sixteen years later."
[OOC: OCD UP.]
"I'm sure many of you had busy weekends," she said, watching as they got settled. "And I am quite aware that next week is Spring Break. Regardless, I need you awake and with me today."
"When Mustafa I was born, a tradition had long been in place in Turkey that newly crowned Sultans would execute any contenders to the throne. Namely, their brothers," Ghanima said, hopping off her desk to wander the room. "When Mustafa's brother, Ahmed, came to the throne, he decided to spare his little brother's life, and instead he was confined to his room in virtual imprisonment, a system called Kafes, for fourteen years."
"You must keep in mind that the early history of the Ottoman Empire is littered with succession wars between rival sons of the deceased sultan. Therefore, it was almost considered the law that once the new sultan ascended to the throne, he had his brothers killed, sometimes dozens of them at once, including infants," Ghanima continued briskly. "Although this practice effectively reduced the number of claimants to the throne, there were several occasions where the Ottoman line seemed destined to end. The introduction of confinement of heirs provided security for an incumbent sultan and continuity of the dynasty. It wreaked havoc on their education and mental health, but it was seen as a measure to guarantee succession."
"When Ahmet I died in 1617 his eldest son was only 13 years old and for the first time in 14 generations the succession was altered by the Imperial Council so that the late sultan's brother acceded to the throne as Mustafa I."
"When Mustafa was first freed, his mental health was hotly debated at court. Some said he was divinely inspired and a religious visionary. Others saw his ranting as psychotic rather than celestial. His policies and orders did little to gain any confidence: any kind page or generous farmer could find themselves in an exalted position of considerable power at the royal court. This annoyed enough courtiers to tip the balance of public opinion against him, and after less-than a year, Mustafa was returned to his cage."
"For the next four years, Mustafa remained locked away with two female slaves to care for him. Outside, Osman II, his late brother's son, was ruling. He issued edicts against everything from tobacco to alcohol, and practiced with bow and arrow on living targets around the court. Ultimately, he made himself very unpopular, and was tortured to death in 1622."
"During this period, Mustafa was rather content in his cage. When he was released in 1623, he refused to leave at first, and had to be dragged out at the end of a rope. Despite his objections, questionable mental health, and obvious inadequacies, Mustafa was a reluctant sultan once more."
"Again entrusted with governing Turkey, terrified of the responsibility, and unprepared, he set out to wreak havoc. He slaughtered all those who had been responsible for removing him from his cage, including his nephew. Farm laborers, donkey drivers, and other unlikely subjects found themselves promoted. Taxes went unpaid, armed forces went unsalaried, and nationwide anarchy loomed. Meanwhile, Mustafa ran in search of Osman, convinced he was alive and begging him to return and take over the throne. When he ordered the execution of all Osman's brothers, he was persuaded by his court to renounce the throne, and turn over the monarchy to another one of his nephews."
"Mustafa returned to his cage one last time, late in 1623. He died there sixteen years later."
[OOC: OCD UP.]
Re: Discussion: Kafes: Dealing with lines of Succession.