In episode 492, Professor A. Tunch Shen joins the podcast to discuss his book, Forgotten Experts: Astrology, Science and Power in the Ottoman Empire, 1450-1600it is about the astrologers who worked in the Ottoman court in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The interview details the life and social dynamics of the astrologers who served in the highest authority in the Ottoman court. An important consideration is the establishment of an official unit for court astrologers, or astrologerWithin the Ottoman bureaucracy, parallel to other areas of expertise such as doctors and architects. This unit, which can consist of one to six astrologers, was created in the 15th century and lasted admirably until the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century.
The episode explores the various duties performed by these palace astrologers. The main function is the practice of electoral astrology, which determines the auspicious moments for a wide range of public affairs, including military campaigns, the construction of mosques, and wedding ceremonies. Astrologers also produce an annual almanac, interpret the birth charts of rulers, answer questions about astrology, and sometimes give medical advice.
The interview also explores the personalities and internal dynamics within the court. Much attention is paid to the ruler Sultan Bayazid II, who had a personal interest in astral sciences, and who played an important role in the institutionalization of court astrologers. Also highlighted is the story of astrologer Riyazi – a highly skilled but disillusioned practitioner who was never appointed chief astrologer and expressed his professional frustrations in poetry. This shows the debates, disagreements, and competition for power that exists among astrologers themselves, as well as among other practitioners of esoteric or occult sciences.
The discussion challenges the narrative that astrology was in decline after the previous “golden age” and shows that it remains a vibrant and influential field.
Tunch’s book just came out on May 20th, and you can order it now from Amazon or other online retailers:
Forgotten Experts: Astrology, Science and Power in the Ottoman Empire, 1450-1600
This episode is available in audio and video versions below.
Time signs
00:00:00 Login
00:02:45 Challenging Astrology’s “Put Story”.
00:04:11 Astronomy and astrology in the Ottoman Empire
00:07:20 The story of the destruction of the Istanbul Observatory
00:09:03 Official Department of Court Astrologers (Müneccim)
00:14:23 How astrological knowledge was transmitted
00:16:50 Benefits of being a court astrologer
00:22:50 How election astrology was used by sultans
00:27:13 Debate on the election schedule for the mosque
00:36:08 The story of the sad astrologer-poet Riyazi
00:43:04 Sultan Bayazid II: Philosopher King
00:50:49 Sultan’s rebellious youth and lifelong friendship
00:58:02 Spiritual protection of a scientist from astrology
01:03:01 Why Astrologers Needed Better Astronomical Data
01:12:21 Many duties of the Sultan’s astrologers
01:13:13 Yearly almanacs and prophecies for the Kingdom
01:16:26 Risks and rewards of prophesying for Sultan
01:21:33 Declining status for court astrologers
01:25:01 Competition between astrologers and other esoteric arts
01:31:53 Summary
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Transcription
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