What made the Ottoman Empire such an important chapter in world history? What did Istanbul mean to the Ottomans and Europeans? Why was the family such a pivotal institution for Ottoman society? What kind of place was the Enderun palace school, at which future members of the administrative and military elite as well as good many artists were raised? What was special about the Ottoman palaces? How did the Topkapı Palace manage to be both modest and sumptuous? What did the Ottoman sultans and pasha ...