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Collections for a King
"when we consider the 7,200 works in 5,700 manuscript volumes mentioned in this library’s catalogue... it can be concluded that the palace library was quite rich during Mehmed II’s time. In addition to Islamic manuscripts, the library also held manuscripts in Greek, Latin, Armenian, Syriac, Italian, and Hebrew."
Mehmed's Multilingual Library
Illiterate, but not unintelligent, Mehmed II intentionally surrounded himself with individuals and literary works of differing beliefs, opinions, origins, and languages to encourage debates and philosophical outlooks.
Raised under tutors, he was reportedly fluent in Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Greek, and Latin” and as a reflection of Mehmed's skill, his library contained books written in multiple languages, many of which were translated at his request (FSMVÜ: About Sultan Mehmed II).
Stories about Alexander the Great and ancient Rome were some of these translated works. An obsession formed early, which took on a form of emulation as he became ruler. Europe was also facing a renewed focus on ancient Rome at this time, the Renaissance. This mutual interest added fuel to the material trade between the Ottoman Empire and Italian city-states, particularly Venice.
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