Ottoman Empire: 1307 CE – 1918 CE
The Ottoman Empire was one of the mightiest and longest-lasting dynasties in world history. This Islamic-run superpower ruled large areas of the Middle East, Eastern Europe and North Africa for more than 600 years. The chief leader, known as the Sultan, was given absolute religious and political authority over his people. While Western Europeans generally viewed them as a threat, many historians regard the as a source of great regional stability and security, as well as important achievements in the arts, science, religion and culture.
Origins of the Ottoman Empire
Osman I, a leader of the Turkish tribes in Anatolia, founded the Ottoman Empire around 1299. The term “Ottoman” is derived from Osman’s name, which was “Uthman” in Arabic.
The Ottoman Turks set up a formal government and expanded their territory under the leadership of Osman I, Orhan, Murad I and Bayezid I.
In 1453, Mehmed II the Conqueror led the Ottoman Turks in seizing the ancient city of Constantinopel, the Byzantine Empire’s capital. This put an end to the 1,000-year reign of the Byzantine Empire.
Sultan Mehmed renamed the cite Istanbul and made it the new capital of the Ottoman Empire. Istanbul became a dominant international center of trade and culture.
Mehmed died in 1481. His oldest son, Bayezid II, became the new Sultan.
Rise of the Ottoman Empire
By 1517, Bayezid’s son, Selim I, brought Syria, Arabia, Palestine, and Egypt under Ottoman control.
The Ottoman reached its peak between 1520 and 1566, during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. This period was marked by great power, stability and wealth.
Suleiman created a uniform system of law and welcomed different forms of arts and literature. Many Muslims considered Suleiman a religious leader as well as a political ruler.
Throughout Sultan Suleiman’s rule, the empire expanded and included areas of Eastern Europe.
Geographical Extent of the Ottoman Empire
- Anatolia (Modern-day Turkey): The heartland and initial base of the Ottoman, where Osman I established his rule.
- Southeastern Europe:
- Greece
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Serbia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Croatia: These regions were conquered during the expansion of the Ottoman Empire into Europe.
- Middle East:
- Syria: Including Damascus and Aleppo.
- Palestine: Including Jerusalem.
- Lebanon
- Mesopotamia: Covering parts of modern-day Iraq.
- Some of Arabia: Although not fully controlled, the Ottomans had influence and control over some regions in Arabia.
- North Africa:
- Egypt: Including Cairo and Alexandria.
- Libya: Coastal regions under Ottoman control.
- Tunisia
- Algeria
- Morocco: The Ottomanhad a presence along the coastal regions of North Africa.
- Eastern Europe:
- Hungary: Significant parts of Hungary were under Ottoman rule, especially during the peak of the empire.
- Macedonia
