Book Description:
Domenico was the name taken by a rabbi and doctor from Safed in Palestine on his conversion to Catholicism in 1593. For some ten years he served as Third Physician to Sultan Murad III. In 1611 he wrote, or, more accurately, dictated, his Relatione della gran Citt di Constantinopoli. This is not just a topographical description of the city but also an account of its inhabitants and the regulations governing their lives, of how the Sultan spent his time, of the principles and practice of Islam, and much more. ' Austin's study of the European literature ensures that his notes will be ideal for scholars who want to follow the genealogy of various anecdotes and tropes that travelers from Domenico's time freely borrowed from one another and recirculated. His commentary will probably be most enlightening to general readers who know little or nothing about Ottoman culture and history. His style is very accessible, and he takes little for granted. Most impressive is his knowledge of Istanbul's monuments and famous sites and his ability to evoke them visually. Domenic's account will be of interest to a wide audience. It is a useful cultural document from an understudied period of Ottoman history. It will appeal not only to students of Ottoman history, but those who study the broader Mediterranean world and patterns of cultural exchange. It will be a pleasure to read for anyone who loves Istanbul and wants to know more about its history.' James Grehan, University of Texas Austin, (American Association of Teachers of Turkic Languages Bulletin 27 28, Spring 2001 Fall 2001)
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