Arab, Middle Eastern
Michael V Kalaphates
Michael was the son of a caulker and the sister of Emperor Michael IV. About 1035 he was adopted by Zoe, Michael IV's wife, and renamed Caesar. When Michael IV died in 1041 Zoe proclaimed M... [more]
Midas
The semi-mythical king Midas (it is possible that his story is partly based on the life of one of several real King Midases) is most famous for his short-sighted wish that everything he tou... [more]
Muhammad
Muhammad was born after his father died, and his mother died when he was six years old. He was then raised by his grandfather until he too died, when Muhammad was eight, after which he was ... [more]
Nebuchadnezzar II
Nebuchadnezzar was King of Babylon from 605 to 562 BCE, succeeding his father, Nabopolassar. It was he who destroyed Jerusalem in 586 and forced the Jews into captivity in Babylon. He was a... [more]
Pasha, Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa
Pasha was born near Marinca, the son of a cavalry officer with good family connections named Derwish Beg, Urudj Beg or Hasan Beg. At some point, probably as a teenager, he was taken as a fo... [more]
Sargon I
Sargon united the kingdoms of Sumer and Akkad, including parts of modern Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey. His early life is largely a mystery. One ancient Sumerian legend states that he was th... [more]
Semiramis
Semiramis was believed to be the daughter of the goddess Derceto. She was exposed at birth (see also Oedipus , Maui and ... [more]
Sennacherib
According to some traditions Sennacherib was the adopted son of King Sargon II, but other sources do not mention this. He was Sargon's successor. During his reign the old enmity between ... [more]
Slaves
Slavery is one of the most pervasive of human institutions. Until two hundred years ago hardly anyone had any doubts but that slavery was divinely ordained and a perfectly acceptable practi... [more]
İnan, Afet
İnan was one of six or seven adoptive (or foster, sources differ) daughters of Kamal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder of modern Turkey (see also: Sabiha Gökçen ). He also adopted a son and... [more]
