A banquet was held for the leading members of the Ulema in the huge guest-tent. In (43b) we see two tables. The upper one is being presided over by the grand vizier as the sultan’s deputy. To his left is the sheikulislam dressed in white fur and a white turban; the chief justice of Rumelia dressed in a green kaftan and turban sits at his right. The other figures around the table are former chief justices. The table in the foreground is the third-ranking one and eleven kadis are seated around it. Two more tables appear in (44a). The upper one is the second-ranking table at this banquet and is presided over by the chief of the Exchequer, who is dining with ten high-ranking kadis. The fourth table, like the third, is occupied by kadis--eleven of them this time. Servants and attendants stand around in various poses. (Compare 22b-23a and also 58b-59a.) According to Vehbi, lower-ranking kadis also took part in this banquet but Levni has not depicted them.

1. Chief Justice of Rumelia: Kazasker. Since 1481 there had been two chief justices: one responsible for Anatolia and the other for Rumelia. They were members of the Imperial Council and were consulted on matters related to religious law. The Rumelian kazasker was senior in rank because his office was regarded as the older of the two and it was he who was promoted to sheikulislam when the latter's office was vacated.

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