Questions

In contrast to Europe’s rigid caste-like system of unchanging serf-lord classes, the Ottomans witnessed instances where even a Croatian swineherd like Rustem Pasha could rise to the position of Grand Vizier (equivalent to today’s Prime Minister). While it was virtually impossible for a peasant's child in Spain or France to govern the state alongside the king, Ibrahim Pasha—the son of a Greek fisherman from Parga—could become the second most powerful man in the Ottoman Empire as Grand Vizier and Serasker.

The first step on this ladder of fortune and advancement was usually converting to Islam. As the poet remarked regarding Kosem Sultan: 'She was born a priest's daughter and died the mother of Muslims.'

Unlike the Germanic peoples, the Ottomans built a system that assimilated diverse elements or transformed them into its own fold. Much like how the United States attracts a 'brain drain' today, the Ottomans pursued a similar strategy.

Furthermore, after conquering Europe, the state bureaucracy created bureaucratic and military avenues through the devshirme system. So much so that in the 16th century, it was believed that Serbian was spoken in the Ottoman court more than Turkish.

For example:

Mimar Sinan: Armenian
Sokullu Mehmed Pasha: Serb
Kilic Ali Pasha: Italian (Giovanni Dionigi Galeni)
Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha: Greek
Humbaraci Ahmed Pasha: French (Comte de Bonneval)
Ibrahim Muteferrika: Hungarian