In the 19th century, as the Ottoman education system modernized, ʿilm-i ḥayvānāt (zoology) became part of the curriculum, and textbooks on this subject adopted diverse approaches to animal classification. The earliest example, ʿIlm-i Ḥayvānāt ve Nəbātāt (1865), translated by Chief Physician Salih Efendi (d. 1895) from Carl Arendts’ Éléments d'histoire naturelle (1859), uses J.F. Blumenbach’s system from his Manual of Natural History (1779), placing humans as a single species under Bimana (two-handed).
Macarlı Abdullah (d. 1874), in the first Ottoman medical zoology book Fenn-i Ḥayvānāt-ı Ṭıbbiye, begins with a Qur’ānic verse (21:30) stating that “life originates from water.” He organizes animals starting with water-dwelling unicellular organisms. Hüseyin Remzi (d. 1896), in ʿIlm-i Ḥayvānāt, mentions using “Bocquillon’s German method” and follows Bacon’s principle of progressing from simple to complex.
Necip ʿÂsım (d. 1935) divides animals into vertebrates and invertebrates, beginning mammals with Quadrumana (four-handed primates) but excluding Bimana. Mustafa Sâtı (d. 1968), in Tārih-i Ṭabīʿīden ʿIlm-i Ḥayvānāt, divides animals first into ḥayvānāt-ı nesciye and ibtidāʾiye, and later into three categories: tenāzūriye, nebātiye, and ibtidāʾiye.
This paper explores the varied approaches to systematics in Ottoman ʿilm-i ḥayvānāt texts, analyzing classification methods and the scientific and cultural influences shaping these choices.

A/Prof Ahmet Göksu
Istanbul Medeniyet University

This paper studies the reception of Aristotle’s concept of diairesis in the context of his biological corpus. Central to Aristotelian biology, it serves as a term for classifying animals by their parts (members, homoeomerous, composite, heteros) and distinguishing species and genera. Aristotle makes wide use of the Platonic term in the categorization of living things as the basis of his comparison. He also employs this method of division alongside ontological distinctions, such as genus, differentia, species, property, and accident, to systematically organize the natural world. Applying this concept to biology, he draws a primitive taxonomy of animals ordered according to the general-specific relationship.

Using the Arabic translation of Libri de Animalibus known as Kitāb al-hayawān, Michael Scotus’ Latin translation from the Arabic, and later Latin editions, this paper explores how diairesis was received, revised, and reproduced in the translation process. In De animalibus, we do not encounter a clear definition of the concept, but we frequently observe forward and backward references to divisio and differentia. Thus, our analysis examines textual reinterpretations of key Aristotelian concepts and their integration into Arabic and Latin scientific traditions, highlighting the interplay between linguistic and philosophical frameworks.

The study reveals that the use and reuse of diairesis not only preserved Aristotelian classification, but also shaped classical understanding of animal biology, providing a foundational theme for interpreting nature. Tracing these adaptations through cross-textual analysis, this research aimed to emphasize the role of translation in shaping biological knowledge.

The Tanzimat period marked a pivotal phase in the Ottoman Empire’s modernization, characterized by significant developments in knowledge production and circulation. Sadullah Pasha (1838–1891), a prominent statesman of the era, contributed to these processes through his diplomatic, reformist, and intellectual endeavors. Educated in Islamic sciences and Western literature, Sadullah Pasha played a key role in drafting the Maarif-i Umumiye Nizamnamesi, a cornerstone of Ottoman educational reform. His diplomatic postings in Berlin and Vienna further facilitated cultural and intellectual exchanges between the Ottoman Empire and Europe.

The Sadullah Pasha Mansion, situated in Istanbul’s Çengelköy district, became a central venue for the intellectual life of the Tanzimat period. More than a residence, it served as a hub for discussions on science, art, and politics, attracting leading figures of the era. Its strategic location along the Bosphorus and its function as a space for intellectual gatherings positioned the mansion as a key site for the circulation of knowledge.

Sadullah Pasha’s literary contributions further highlight his role in shaping the intellectual landscape of the period. His poem 19. Century celebrated progress through science and technology, while his translation of Lamartine’s The Lake symbolized cultural exchange between Ottoman and Western traditions. The mansion’s role as a dynamic space for knowledge production and dissemination reflects the intellectual vibrancy of the Tanzimat period.

This study examines the Sadullah Pasha Mansion’s unique role in fostering intellectual exchange, contributing to a deeper understanding of the Ottoman modernization process.

Keywords: Tanzimat Period, Sadullah Pasha Mansion, Ottoman Modernization, Circulation of Knowledge.

Sefa Nur Kuruçay

This paper explores the migration dynamics in the agro-pastoral ecotone of China, focusing on the Inner Mongolia Hetao region, from the perspective of cultural interaction between the Mongols and the Hans. It examines the historical context and timeline of the Mongol-Han migration waves, particularly the peak periods of migration, and investigates the factors that led to such migrations. The paper also delves into the content and significance of cultural exchanges between the two ethnic groups, highlighting the blending of Mongolian pastoral traditions with Han agricultural practices.The study argues that the migration was not merely a result of economic or political factors but was deeply rooted in the cultural and ecological conditions of the region. The paper further examines how these interactions led to the formation of a unique cultural landscape in the Hetao region, where both Mongolian and Han cultures coexisted and influenced each other. Finally, it discusses the inevitability of these migrations, considering the geographical, ecological, and socio-political factors that shaped the course of history in the agro-pastoral zone. The research provides insights into the processes of cultural assimilation and adaptation, offering a comprehensive understanding of the historical and cultural interactions between the Mongol and Han populations in this significant borderland area.