This week, as the Royal Academy opens the doors on its latest block buster exhibition: Turks; A Journey of aThousand Years, Woman's Hour lifts the veil on life in the harem.
Were Sultan's concubines more than simply sex slaves? They fathered heirs, married holders of the highest offices, even married the Sultan himself. And in a divided empire riddled with extravagance and corruption perhaps this group of women was the real power house of the Ottoman Empire?
Jenni talks to author and Middle Eastern expert, Philippa Sciott and author, Phillip Mansel.
Turks; A Journey of a Thousand Years Royal Academy, London 22 January to 12 April 2005
