Suleyman I the Magnificent

His
reign began in 1520th with the death of his father Selim I. It lasted 46 years
until 1566., when he was killed at the Battle of Siget.

He  expanded the empire on three continents.
Talented in military strategy, law, poetry, and was very much in love with his
wife Hürrem.

Decision to marry Hürrem ignored the tradition and gave her freedom, which
eventually would be fatal for him in many ways. Hürrem in his life has brought
destruction, intrigue and death.

Hürrem

Born in Ukraine,
and also known as Alksandra (Roxelana). She was the daughter of Ukrainian
priests. She became a favorite slave of Suleyman I and later his wife. She gave
birth to six children and had a great influence in the Ottoman Empire. She took
part in the destruction of the Suleyman’s 
first son Mustafa spreading rumors about his involvement in a conspiracy
against the sultan. Her son Selim became emperor after the death of Suleyman.

Contemporary sources do not contain information about her childhood and are
limited only to mention that she is originally from the Ukraine. According to
the Polish poet Samuel Twardowski Hürrem was born in the 17th century in the
town of Rohatyn today in western Ukraine. 1520 she was captured by Crimean
Tartars and sold into slavery. First in Kaffa and then in Istanbul, where she
was selected for the harem of Sultan Suleyman.



She very quickly gained favor with the sultan and put on a jealousy of her
rivals. Her influence on the Sultan will quickly become legendary. She gave
birth to five children, and contrary to a 200-year tradition Suleyman released
her from slavery and made her his wife. It has strengthened her position in the
palace, which ultimately led to her son Selim inheriting the empire after the
death of Suleyman.



Suleyman allowed her to stay with him in the palace until his death in
violation of the tradition that the sultan sons with their mothers go to manage
remote provinces. Hürrem was also his adviser on foreign and domestic policy.



She died on 14.04.1558 and was buried in a grave next to the Suleyman.

Mahidevran

Mother
of Mustafa, Suleyman's son. She lost her power when Hürrem came to the harem.
She never stopped fighting for the affection of Suleyman mostly out of fear for
the safety of her son Mustafa. Conflict between Mahidevran and Hürrem has
further intensified when Suleymans mother died who was partially able to
control their hostility.





Little is known about Mahidevran. Most likely she was born or the Caucasus or
Albania. Suleyman was still a prince of Manise when she gave birth to their
first son in 1515.



When Selim I died, Suleyman came to Istanbul to take over the empire together
with his family.



In harem she had very influential rival Hürrem, who became Suleymans wife and
his favorite mistress. Their rivalry was partially under control while
Suleyman's mother was alive. But after her death, their conflict has increased,
resulting in Mahidevran beating Hürrem. This angered the sultan and he sends
her out of Istanbul to live with his son.



Towards the end of the reign of Suleyman Hürrem accused Mustafa, son of
Mehidevran, of treason. During the war in Persia Suleyman ordered to kill
Mustafa.



Several years after the death of Mustafa, Mahidevran lives in Bursa in poverty.
However after the death of Suleyman, Selim II. gives her a salary. She died
1581.

Hatice Sultan

Suleyman's sister
- she was beautiful and quite shy. Through all of her life she loved Ibrahim.
Eventually she became his wife, but still was not happy. She didn’t know how to
cope with the intrigues of the imperial palace and she increasingly felt
sadness.

Sultana Hatice was the Ottoman princess, daughter of Selim I. Born 1496. First
she was married to Iskender Pasha, but his death made her a widow. Later she
was married to Ibrahim Pasha who was grand vizier for 13 years. 1536. Ibrahim
was executed on the orders of the Sultan and his property was confiscated. She
had two daughters Hanim and Fulani.



She died in 1538.

Ibrahim

He was the son of
a seaman from Parga. As a boy he was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery
in Manisa, western Anatolia where he will become a friend of Suleyman. Schooled,
knew several languages ​​and was proficient in mathematics.

Ibrahim showed his value in diplomacy and military conquests and quickly
prospered. Being afraid of jealousy of other vizier he asked Suleyman not to promote
him so fast. Impressed by Ibrahim's modesty Suleyman swore that Ibrahim would
never be put to death during his life.



During the war in Persia he declared himself the Sultan of Persia and Suleyman
saw this as a betrayal. He was executed in 1536. Suleyman later regretted his
decision.



His palace is now a museum in Istanbul.