What is a simple explanation of the Ottoman Millet System?

The Ottomans recognized four different religious community in their empire: Muslims, Jews, Greek Orthodox Christians, Armenian Christians. Each community was allowed to have its own legal traditions governing civil and religious matters. read more

In recent years, there has been an academic discussion regarding the general attitude toward non-Muslims in the empire, and the millet in particular, either as an example of tolerance or oppression, using the Ottoman millet system theory as a model of interpretation. read more

The millet system was adapted and organized by Ottoman Sultan Fatih Mehmed II following his conquest of Constantinople in 1453. There were four millets or communities/administrative units based on religion - Muslim, Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Jewish. read more