Hilal Nur Kuyruk
Hilal is a historian specializing in Medieval Middle East and Central Asia. After completing her Bachelor of International Relations, Hilal moved to Turkey, where she worked as a teacher. In 2024, she completed a Master of Arts, specializing in History, from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. Hilal’s main interests are the history of gender, textiles, and fashion in Anatolia. In her spare time, she likes to discuss Ottoman history and reproduce historically accurate Ottoman clothing on her YouTube channel, Historian Hilly.
Articles by Hilal Nur Kuyruk
The (Very) Tragic End of Osman II, the Reformist Ottoman SultanOsman II, also known as Osman “The Young,” was a reformist Early-Modern Sultan who was not only killed but mutilated by his enemies.
10 Interesting Forms of Punishment From the Ottoman EmpireThroughout its 600-year history, the Ottoman Empire used various punishments that ranged from banishment to blinding.
Throughout its 600-year history, the Ottoman Empire used various punishments that ranged from banishment to blinding.
The Story of Barbarossa, the Ottoman Corsair Who Ruled the MediterraneanFrom humble tradesman to feared corsair and grand admiral of the Ottoman Navy, Barbarossa was a source of both awe and anxiety.
From humble tradesman to feared corsair and grand admiral of the Ottoman Navy, Barbarossa was a source of both awe and anxiety.
9 Things Ottoman Sultans Loved to Do in Their Spare TimeDiscover the leisurely lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans, all too often overshadowed by their military endeavors.
Discover the leisurely lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans, all too often overshadowed by their military endeavors.
The Evolution of Ottoman Warfare From Bows to CanonsThe Ottomans used nomadic warfare in their early days to conquer parts of Europe and Asia, after which they adapted to more advanced gunpowder artillery.
The Ottomans used nomadic warfare in their early days to conquer parts of Europe and Asia, after which they adapted to more advanced gunpowder artillery.
Mehmed the Conqueror, the Sultan Who Took ConstantinopleIn the mid-15th century, a young and ambitious Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed the Conqueror, sent shockwaves through Europe. This is his story.
The Tumultuous Ottoman Interregnum (Bayezid’s Fall & Civil War)The captivity and death of Sultan Bayezid (r. 1389-1402) led to ten years of civil war between his five sons during the Ottoman Interregnum.
The captivity and death of Sultan Bayezid (r. 1389-1402) led to ten years of civil war between his five sons during the Ottoman Interregnum.
What Did an Ottoman Sultan Eat In a Day?Discover the lesser-known culinary side of the Ottoman Empire, beginning with the Ottoman Sultans’ daily meals!
Ibn Battuta’s Epic 30-Year Journey Across the Medieval WorldMost people in the Middle Ages did not leave the villages they were born in. Ibn Battuta, however, traveled to around 40 present-day countries.
Most people in the Middle Ages did not leave the villages they were born in. Ibn Battuta, however, traveled to around 40 present-day countries.
How the Janissaries Became the Most Powerful Force in Ottoman HistoryThe Janissary Corps, the first standing army in Europe, was not only a military but also a political and social force in the Ottoman Empire.
How the Seljuks Rose from Steppe Nomads to Rulers of a Vast EmpireThis is the story of the Seljuks, the early steppe nomads who began the Turkic migration and settlement of the Middle East.
This is the story of the Seljuks, the early steppe nomads who began the Turkic migration and settlement of the Middle East.
The Story of Kösem Sultan Who Ruled the Ottoman Empire With an Iron FistLearn how Kösem Sultan, an enslaved concubine of the 17th century, became the most powerful woman in Ottoman history.
Learn how Kösem Sultan, an enslaved concubine of the 17th century, became the most powerful woman in Ottoman history.