Cem

Until at least the early 17th century in the Turkish Ottoman empire, the successor was not determined by birth rank. The principle of succession was brutal: the strongest won. It was brutal competition.

Goenawan Mohamad

June 11, 2021

THE throne, the center of power, is also the center of violence and suspicion. History records this over and again. Especially when kings find it necessary to clarify the source of their power by citing God or fate. They need justification from the supernatural.

The supernatural, of course, is never clear. How does it operate? What actually is its will? Is the person on the throne blessed? Anxiety, whether open or hidden, haunts continual

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