Includes bibliographical references and index.

A mighty monarch -- Beginnings -- By land and by sea -- The lawgiver -- A patron of the arts -- The royal routine -- Intrigue in the harem -- The final years -- Everyday life in the Ottoman Empire -- Religious beliefs and practices -- Governing an empire -- Fighting wars -- City life : Constantinople -- Housing and furniture -- Food -- Clothing and jewelry -- The ceremonies of life -- Medical matters -- Getting an education -- Earning a living -- An artistic people -- Having fun -- The Ottoman Turks in their own words.

Provides an overview of the lives of Suleyman I and his subjects in the Ottoman Empire of the late sixteenth century, and includes excerpts from poems, letters, and stories of the time.