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Between the 14th and 17th centuries, what gruesome method was considered best practice for obtaining the throne in the Ottoman Empire?

Answer: Fratricide, essentially killing all other claimants. Mehmed II (1432-1481) noted that “whichever of my sons inherits the Sultan’s throne, it behooves him to kill his brothers in the interest of the world order.” The practice remained legal until abolition by Ahmed I (1590-1617).

Source: Mehmed the Conquerer and His Time by Franz Babinger and William C. Hickman

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1908 – King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Lisbon.

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Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman

Source: The Wicket Wit of Winston Churchill by Dominique Enright

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Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149BCE)

Roman statesman, soldier and writer of virtue, simplicity and wisdom. He condemned the luxury of his time and was nicknamed “the censor”. He became Consul in 195BCE, took part in the defeat of Hannibal at Zama, held command in Sardinia and Spain, and in 191 BCE assisted the Greeks in overthrowing Antiochus III at Thermopolyae.

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