A native of western Flanders, Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq served
in several posts as diplomatic representative for the Habsburg
ruler Ferdinand I (King of Bohemia and Hungary, 1526--64, and Holy
Roman Emperor, 1556--64). Busbecq's most famous mission was
undoubtedly to the Ottoman Empire at the zenith of its power and
glory during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. In four letters
to his friend Nicholas Michault -- who had been Busbecq's fellow
student in Italy and afterwards was imperial ambassador to the
Portuguese court -- he details impressions on everything he saw and
experienced in Turkey, including landscapes, plants, animals,
Islam, ethnic groups, architecture, slavery, military matters,
court practices, clothing, gender and domestic relations, and the
Sultan himself.
Suleiman (spelled Soleiman in the translation) the Magnificent
is perhaps the most distinguished figure in Turkish history, and
his reign saw the greatest extension of Turkish power. His devotion
to his own religion and his tolerance of other faiths, his
munificence and generosity, won him the fidelity of his subjects
and the respect of his enemies. Busbecq was given the assignment of
using diplomacy to check the raids of the Turks into Hungary, and
he proved very effective with his quick sympathy, appreciation of
the Turkish character, and untiring patience. He returned from
Constantinople in the autumn of 1562 with an established reputation
as a diplomatist.
Busbecq's Turkish Letters is a treasure of early travel
literature, reflecting Busbecq's rich literary talent, classical
education, love for collecting antiquities, and remarkable power of
observation. Delightfully entertaining reading, it also offers
invaluable lessons on understanding and bridging cultural
divides.
General
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