HIST 329 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Voivode, Ecclesiastical Province, Middle Ages
15 Apr 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Interplay btwn religion and identity, politics, etc. Serbian orthodox church fills void of serbian kingdom. Bosnians considered heretical by mainstream christians, ottomans did not persecute them, many even converted to islam. Built on holy war/defence of islam--in theory. But did not want to destroy non-muslims, but conquer them and use population in manner most efficient for islam--conversions welcomed but not enforced, denominations allowed own courts, but also had to pay more taxes, had restrictions, were inferior. Power greater in theory than in actuality, relied on obedience, could not violate religious law/custom. Problem of succession--sultan had many wives, eligible princes would often fight/kill for position, sultans would often execute potentially dangerous relatives, led to increasingly incompetent leaders. Askeri--governing class (military, high govt positions, secular) Muftis--interpreters of sharia law, could issue fatwas (recommendation on how sl should b interpreted), but could not enforce. Devsirme process of selecting non-muslim children had ensured promotion on basis of marriage/effective fighting force.
