27.08.2026 Neue Publikation von Prof. Dr. Albrecht Fuess: The Journal of Mediterranean Studies, Volume 33, Number 2, 2024

Conquerors by the Sea: How Ottoman Naval Strategy led to the Downfall of the Mamluk Sultanate in the Era of Portuguese Expansion (1485–1517) and what an Indian Dagger had to do with it

After a long wait, it is finally out: the special issue “Deploying Resources by the Ottoman Navy,” which PD Dr. Gül Şen co-edited with Christine Isom-Verhaaren, is now live online in the Journal of Mediterranean Studies.

Although the project dates back to 2024 and appears as Volume 33, No. 2 (2024), the issue was published online on July 31, 2026. 

In this special issue, we examine the maritime history of the Ottoman Empire from a range of perspectives, focusing primarily on the Ottoman navy as a naval power in the Eastern Mediterranean, while also considering its presence and activities in the Black Sea. 

The contributions explore the deployment of resources in a broad and trans-cultural context, including interactions and competition with the Republic of Venice, the Knights Hospitaller of Malta, and the Mamluk Sultanate. They address the internal politics, organizations, and technologies of early modern Mediterranean navies, as well as the socio-economic foundations of naval power from the supply of raw materials for shipbuilding to the recruitment of labor for the naval arsenal. 

Our fellow authors Albrecht Fuess (Marburg) Roman Siebertz (Göttingen), and Samuel Stevens (Ohio) have not only made this publication possible through their valuable contributions, but have also collaborated closely throughout the long publication process. Christine and I are also very grateful to all our colleagues who generously undertook the peer review of earlier versions of the articles. Their thoughtful comments helped us improve the special issue considerably.

A great thank to the previous and current Editors-in-Chief of the Journal of Mediterranean Studies, Norbert Bugeja and Maurius Said, for their support and for the successful cooperation throughout the publication process. Looking forward to receiving the print edition soon!

The special issue is now available on Project MUSE.