'Exquisitely written and lavishly illustrated this delightful book brings five centuries of
Ottoman culture to life. Diana Darke constantly amazes the reader with fascinating facts and
points of relevance between the Ottoman past and the present day' - Eugene Rogan author of The
Fall of the Ottomans At its height the Ottoman Empire spread from Yemen to the gates of
Vienna. Western perceptions of the Ottomans have often been distorted by Orientalism
characterizing their rule as oppressive and destructive while seeing their culture as exotic
and incomprehensible. Based on a lifetime's experience of living and working across its former
provinces Diana Darke offers a unique overview of the Ottoman Empire's cultural legacy one
century after its dissolution. She uncovers a vibrant sophisticated civilization that embraced
both arts and sciences whilst welcoming refugees from all ethnicities and religions notably
Christians and Jews. Darke celebrates the culture of the Ottoman Empire from its aesthetics
and architecture to its scientific and medical innovations including the first vaccinations.
She investigates the crucial role that commerce and trade played in supporting the empire and
increasing its cultural reach highlighting the significant role of women as well as the
diverse religious values literary and musical traditions that proliferated through the empire.
The Ottomans: A Cultural Legacy presents the magnificent achievements of an empire that lasted
over 600 years and encompassed Asian European and African cultures shedding new light on its
complex legacy.
