Welcome to the harem, or whom it is better not to be

Life in the harem, always the most desirable mystery. Such a life dangerous and attractive, a reason to rise up and cause to die. If the main occupation of men has been the policy, the women's occupation, of course, were the endless intrigues. Simple odalisques dream become true wives, and the wives of the sultans dreamed to become the head of the harem, and promote his son as close as possible to the to the throne and authority. Hatred, anger and jealousy and no wonder. One man and so many women and among the crowd had to stand out, not only beauty, but also the mind and talent. But not enough to attract the attention of the Sultan, it must still retain. And retaining try to stay alive. For favorites of the Sultan hated and despised, and tried in every way to get rid of. Becoming a favorite or Sultana the girl was at the same time between heaven and hell. The Sultan gave her jewels, she had a personal luxury apartments, the most tasty treats, sea of gold and other pleasant trifles, as well as a whole Arsenal of workers and the eunuchs. But there is a flip side of the coin. At any moment, when least expect, could poison, strangle, maim and, in the end, the Sultan could lose interest. Therefore survived the most cunning, clever, beautiful and strong.
Why it is so difficult it was to cross the line from a simple concubines to the favorite and even higher. This entailed many dangers and conspiracy, which demanded in turn much of a mind, shutter speed and cunning. The names of the strongest we hear and to this day. About them made up legends, paint pictures and film. But what the price received such power? So far all of the secrets are not disclosed.

                               (Photo from the source: www.muhtesemyuzyil.tv)

Frequent trips and long absence of the Sultan made life especially boring and sad. Therefore, the main attraction was getting rid of rivals. The safest thing to do was common female slaves, who are daily engaged in any work and training. But not the fact that so and safe. They could become a victim of intrigue and conspiracy. Also in relative safety were kalfa, who operated a harem and followed his order, but they could also be a random victim to intrigues. That, speaking about the Sultan's wives and mistresses, here and say anything, it came and before the assault. From the letter of one of the Ambassador was written, that the wife of the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent Mahidevran pounced on his concubine Hjurrem and scratched her entire face and tore up the clothes. And this is the most harmless that worked between a beautiful person with the aim to be the only for his master.