Characteristic of the former Ottoman Empire, the harem it was the part of the Sultan's palace for the women who served him. Among them were their wives, mother, daughters and slaves, or concubines, who were responsible for taking care of the housework in the palace. The origin of harems comes from the historical cultural construction of the Ottoman Empire, which depended on slave labor and saw in concubinage, or in the taking of women as slaves. sexual, a way to ensure the continuation of the lineage without worrying about possible betrayals or intrigues that could form around the families of their original wives.
Concubines and odalisques were the names given to the women who were part of the harems. However, while the odalisques, or "court women", were slaves, usually prisoners of war or young women who surrendered to the palace in the hope of living in luxury and comfort, the concubines were women considered extremely beautiful, educated, trained in the arts of poetry recitation and with skills musicals. These were usually given as a gift or offering to the sultan.
The hierarchy of a harem
The harem had a hierarchical order that was headed by the sultan's mother. She was seen as the sultan's immediate representative in his absence from the harem, while the other wives, concubines, and odalisques found themselves low on the hierarchical scale. However, the hierarchy was not fixed between odalisques and concubines. Slave women could rise through the hierarchy of the harem depending on their relationship with the sultan, and could even become the favorite or carry a legitimate heir.
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The most powerful women in the harem were the Valide and the Kadins. Recognized as the elder of the empire, Valide was commonly consulted by ministers and religious leaders when they believed the sultan's decisions were wrong. Valide was also seen as responsible for the upbringing and education of the future sultan, her son, who would one day rule the entire empire. The Kadins, in turn, were the sultan's four favorite women. They had the same status as the official wife and enjoyed great luxury, such as a house, jewelry, slaves and eunuchs under her command.
by Lucas Oliveira
Graduated in Sociology
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
RODRIGUES, Lucas de Oliveira. "Harems of the Ancient Ottoman Empire"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/sociologia/harem.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
