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Events on Saturday 6 November 1520 1
1494 – 1520Suleimans early life and educationSuleiman is born on 6 November 1494 in Trabzon, where his father Selim I is governor. He is educated in Topkapi Palace alongside devshirme boys -- learning Arabic, Ottoman Turkish, Persian, Chagatai, Serbian and (reportedly) some Greek. He serves as governor of Manisa, Bolu and Kaffa before his accession. His education is broader than any previous sultan's: he studies history, theology, science, poetry and goldsmithing (he becomes a skilled goldsmith). He accedes at 25 on his father Selim's sudden death. His first act is to release political prisoners and pay the Janissaries a substantial accession gift -- beginning his reign with a gesture of clemency that contrasts with Selim's ferocity.