Empire 32. The Greatest Ottoman Adventurer
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Feb 7, 2023 
Join historian Caroline Finkel as she unpacks the life of Evliya Çelebi, the 17th-century Ottoman traveler famed for his wild adventures. Discover tales of transformation, such as humans morphing into chickens and encounters with dervishes on rhinos. Caroline shares insights into the rich cultural tapestry of the Ottoman Empire, including humorous local expressions and vibrant social dynamics. The conversation navigates the complexities of travel, identity, and the contrasting realities of beauty and brutality throughout the Empire.
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Çelebi's Dream
- Evliya Çelebi's travels began with a dream in Istanbul's Ahi Çelebi Mosque.
- He dreamt of Islam's luminaries and asked for intercession but mispronounced it, resulting in wanderlust.
Çelebi's Childhood
- Evliya Çelebi claimed to have memorized the Quran at a young age.
- He exaggerated his precociousness and mixed fact with fiction.
Fantastical Elements
- Evliya Çelebi's writings include various fantastical elements.
- He wrote about dervishes riding rhinoceroses and encounters with vampires.