The Ottoman State grew from a principality (c. 1300) into one of the world’s greatest powers and lasted for 640 years. As a ghazi state the Ottomans confronted the Byzantines, contributing to their decay. Mehmed II with his conquest of Istanbul put an end to the Byzantine Empire in 1453 and set out to build a new empire on its economic and cultural heritage. At its peak in the sixteenth century the Ottoman State spread across three continents. European colonial penetration and the rise of nationalism undermined the vitality of Ottoman State and Empire came to an end after the First World War. The Turks however, reunited and founded a new modern state after the War of Independence. The modern Turkish state is secular and is expecting to become a member of the European Union. Turkey today acts as a bridge between the East and the West. From a geo-strategic perspective it is one of the most important countries in the post-cold war world.


The emphasis in this course will be on topics that will facilitate an understanding of both the Ottoman and modern Turkish state. Political, military and administrative systems of the Ottomans, as well as continuity and differences between the Ottoman and modern Turkish state will be discussed through introducing interrelated themes.

With this course students will:-

• Develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of political, military and administrative systems of the Ottoman Empire as well as the forces and principles behind the formation of the Modern Turkish Empire.
• Become familiar with the historical and political aspects of the campaigns undertaken by the Ottomans and be able to analyse them critically.
• Be exposed to a range of the major works on the history and culture of the Ottoman State and the early period of Modern Turkey.

5,000-word essay (50%), final examination or second optional essay (40%) and tutorial assessment based on attendance, reading and performance (10%)

Finkel, C., Osman's Dream: The Story of the Ottoman Empure 1300-1923, John Murray, 2006

Imber, C., The Ottoman Empuire, 1300-1650, London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002

McCarthy, J., The Ottoman Turks, London, New York: Longman, 1997 

Goffman, D., The Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2002.