the black death in early ottoman territories - Bilkent University

Süleyman had left the city on the 11th of July - on a campaign against Rhodes. 285 .
The next summer, the plague would hit Istanbul hard once more and even cause
the sudden death of the Baylo, sir Andrea di Prioli. 286 In spite of this obviously
dangerous epidemic, the Venetian Orator had been received in audience by
Süleyman, who not only had stayed in Istanbul, but moreover carried on with
meeting envoys as usual. This stoic behavior was evidently not without danger; for
the Orator had supped with the Baylo on Monday, who got ill the next day and
died on Wednesday ! A great plague epidemic once more occurred in the winter
of 1525-26 and again Süleyman preferred to stay at home and supervise the
outfitting of his fleet. 287 Likewise, Süleyman stayed in Istanbul when the disease
reappeared the next summer. 288 . In July of 1530, once again during a great
outbreak, Süleyman even held great public festivities that continued for three days.
Not satisfied to have organized the event, the sultan, mounted on a splendidly
caparisoned horse, participated personally in the parade of Ottoman dignitaries. 289
Yet according to the Venetians, the Ottoman ruler and Ibrahim pasha left Istanbul
for Beykoz out of fear for plague during the great outbreak in the summer of
1533. 290 Unfortunately, the diaries end that year, so it is not clear whether
Süleyman continued to do so in the years to follow.
285 Sanudo, I diarii di Marino Sanuto, Vol. 33, Col. 422.
286 Sanudo, I diarii di Marino Sanuto, Vol. 34, Col. 384.
287 Sanudo, I diarii di Marino Sanuto, Vol. 40, 689.
288 Sanudo, I diarii di Marino Sanuto, Vol. 45, Col. 620.
289 Sanudo, I diarii di Marino Sanuto, Vol. 53, 454.
290 Sanudo, I diarii di Marino Sanuto, Vol. 58, 697-699.
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