Entry 1: Why Study Ottoman History....It's pretty important, that's why!

Well, to have been expecting that European and American history books to keep out most of the interesting stuff about the Ottoman Empire was expected, but when they start leaving out that medical and cultural practices we now know from Europe came from Ottoman, that's just shocking. It sounds to me like the Ottoman Empire, up until the 1900's....or perhaps a little before that, if I'm reading right, was vital in trade and the arts, much less the amount of dedication they placed in their military practices and religious toleration to a degree.

The Janissaries interest me more for their militaristic achievements than their band-playing, though...not to say that was not interesting, because it was...but being so dedicated and well-organized to have music on the battlefield to prepare them, I wonder how their military tactics played a role.

Also, why were Jews and Christians still physically persecuted? If religious toleration was the credo, I would think that there was law enforcement to protect them and punish those who would persecute. A code of laws or their enforcement system would be interesting to delve into as research as well...I wonder if the Ottoman Empire was the start of the more heinous practices we hear about today in the Middle East. Of course, I think they are exaggerated, but at the same time, I think they are still used...and clearly effective methods.