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.
Areas of Expertise
How Europe Became Obsessed With Ottoman Art (Turquerie)
As the Ottomans formed stronger relations with Europeans, their clothing, art, and architecture were imitated and reproduced as “Turquerie” as far as France and Russia.
The Roles & Lives of Women in the Ottoman Empire
From mothers to poets to physicians, Ottoman women had to survive and thrive in a hierarchical and gender-segregated society.
Misbehaving Ottoman Sultans and Princes (Scandals & Facts)
Behind the scenes, Ottoman sultans and princes were involved in scandalous acts, some of which caused not only public censure but also rebellion.
The (Very) Tragic End of Osman II, the Reformist Ottoman Sultan
Osman 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 Empire
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 Mediterranean
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 Time
Discover the leisurely lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans, all too often overshadowed by their military endeavors.
The Evolution of Ottoman Warfare From Bows to Canons
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 Constantinople
In 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.
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 World
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.