Empress of the East: How a European Slave Girl Became Queen of the Ottoman Empire

by Leslie Peirce

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The "fascinating . . . lively" story of the Russian slave girl Roxelana, who rose from concubine to become the only queen of the Ottoman empire (New York Times). In Empress of the East, historian Leslie Peirce tells the remarkable story of a Christian slave girl, Roxelana, who was abducted by slave traders from her Ruthenian homeland and brought to the harem of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in Istanbul. Suleyman became besotted with her and foreswore all other concubines. Then, in an unprecedented step, he freed her and married her. The bold and canny Roxelana soon became a shrewd...Read more
  • ISBN10 0465032516
  • ISBN13 9780465032518
  • Publish Date 19 September 2017
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country US
  • Imprint Basic Books
  • Format Hardcover
  • Pages 368
  • Language English