Plot & Events
This captive-turned-Sultana completely reshaped the Ottoman Empire power structure.
Who is Hurrem Sultan?
This loyal, fierce, and often humorous eunuch serves as Hurrem Sultan's primary right-hand man and palace informant.
Who is Sumbul Aga?
This is the official title given to the mother of the reigning Sultan, who rules over the imperial harem.
What is Valide Sultan?
Before becoming the Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasha held this intimate, highly trusted palace position.
What is Keeper of the Royal Chambers (Pargali Ibrahim)?
Hurrem faces her first massive palace crisis when this character orders her thrown into the dungeon during Suleiman's first military campaign.
Who is the Valide Sultan (Ayse Hafsa)?
Suleiman's sister Hatice falls into deep despair and madness following the execution of this man, her husband.
Who is Ibrahim Pasha?
Suleiman shocks the entire empire and breaks centuries of Ottoman tradition by doing this legally with Hurrem.
What is marrying her / freeing her and taking her as his legal wife?
Hurrem's first love from her homeland, who tracks her down to Istanbul only to meet a tragic end, goes by this name.
Who is Leo?
This tragic event in Season 4 fractures the empire and destroys the relationship between Suleiman and his remaining sons.
What is the execution of Prince (Sehzade) Mustafa?
This first wife of Suleiman and mother of Mustafa spends her life waging a bitter, losing war against Hurrem.
Who is Mahidevran Sultan?
This traditional Ottoman law dictates that when a new Sultan ascends the throne, he must execute his brothers to prevent civil war.
What is the Law of Fratricide?
Ibrahim Pasha ruins his marriage with Hatice Sultan by engaging in a long-term secret affair with this palace kalfa.
Who is Nigar Kalfa?
This specific weapon is used in a failed assassination attempt that leaves Hurrem permanently scarred on her face.
What is fire / a torch?
This cunning sister of Suleiman arrives in later seasons specifically to destroy Hurrem, using the captive Naznin to split the Sultan's attention.
Who is Fatma Sultan? (Also acceptable: Sah Sultan)
When princes come of age, they are sent away from Istanbul to manage one of these regional administrative territories.
What is a Sanjak?
This captive Spanish princess becomes Suleiman’s temporary obsession, driving Hurrem to attempt her murder.
Who is Princess Isabella Fortuna?
Hurrem orchestrates the downfall of Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha by exposing his secret treasonous title, which was this.
What is "Sultan Ibrahim"?
This character, Hurrem's only daughter, marries Rustem Pasha purely to strengthen her mother's political faction.
Who is Mihrimah Sultan?
This specific elite military corps frequently revolts in the show, demanding the gold and heads of various Grand Viziers.
Who are the Janissaries?
This prince's deep love for his brother Selim's rival, Bayezid, leads him to die of a broken heart following a tragic execution.
Who is Sehzade Cihangir?