Greater Ottoman Empire
This page about the history of Ottoman Empire during its height. For the main article of this character, see Ottoman Empire.
During his peak, the Ottoman Empire was a dominant political, military, and cultural force that spanned three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. This era, particularly from 1453 to 1566, marked the empire's most significant period of expansion and consolidation. The conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan 
Mehmed II, known as Mehmed the Conqueror, was a pivotal moment that transformed the Ottomans from a regional power into a formidable empire. This victory not only ended the 
Byzantine Empire but also established 
Istanbul as the new capital, symbolizing the Ottomans' ascendancy.
History
Beginning of a Great Power
After some turmoil in the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed II was restored as sultan in 1451. He was determined to conquer 
Constantinople, a city that stood firm after so many sieges. But this time is different. The Byzantine Empire is now weak, their land reduced to just the Greek part of the Balkan peninsula, some islands in the 
Mediterranean Sea, and tiny scrapes of land in Anatolia. Early April of 1453, he sieged the city for seven weeks before the walls came crumbling down.
The Ottomans remade the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, and renamed the city to Istanbul and made this city their capital. But this was just the beginning of a new era of Ottoman dominance.
Due to the rivalries between the 
Muslim Ottomans and the 
Christian Europeans, the Ottomans cut off the ancient trade route through Europe and Asia, known as the Silk Road. This would led Europeans to try find new ways to Asia via sea and kick off the colonization of the 
New World.
Conquest, conquest, conquest
In the century that followed, Ottoman Empire started conquesting the eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans, extending their influence into the 
Black Sea region.
Under the leadership of Sultan Mehmed II and his successors, the Ottomans pushed into the Balkans and Eastern Europe. They captured key territories such as 
Serbia and 
Bosnia and Herzegovina. The fall of 
Belgrade in 1521 cemented Ottoman dominance in the region. The pivotal Battle of 
Mohács in 1526, during the reign of Sultan 
Suleiman the Magnificent, led to the Ottoman annexation of much of 
Hungary, establishing their presence deep into Central Europe.
During this period, the Ottoman Empire thrived across various fields including science, medicine, art, and architecture, gaining renown for its innovations that continue to be utilized today. Notable examples include surgical instruments employed in medical procedures.
In the eastern Mediterranean, Ottoman solidified their naval power. The conquest of the 
Venetian-held island of 
Cyprus in 1571 was a significant victory, although it led to the Battle of Lepanto where the 
Ottoman fleet suffered a rare defeat. Nevertheless, their control over the Mediterranean trade routes remained largely unchallenged.
In North Africa, Ottoman extended their reach by taking control of major coastal cities such as 
Algiers, 
Tunis, and 
Tripoli. These conquests not only expanded the empire's territory but also allowed the Ottomans to exert influence over the lucrative Mediterranean trade and to challenge European powers such as 
Spain and 
Portugal.
The Ottoman expansion into the Middle East was marked by the conquest of the 
Mamluk Sultanate under Sultan Selim I in 1516-1517. This victory brought the regions of Egypt, Syria, and the Hejaz, including the holy cities of 
Mecca and 
Medina, under Ottoman control. The incorporation of these regions not only enhanced the empire's territorial expanse but also its spiritual authority in the Muslim world.
The Ottomans also turned their attention to the Black Sea region. They secured the 
Crimean Khanate as a vassal state, gaining control over the northern shores of the Black Sea. This provided strategic advantages in terms of trade and military presence against their eastern adversaries, such as the 
Russian Tsardom.
The period of Ottoman expansion was not only marked by military conquests but also by significant cultural and administrative developments. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, known as "Kanuni" or the Lawgiver, implemented comprehensive legal reforms that streamlined the empire's administration and justice system. The flourishing of arts, architecture, and learning during his reign is often referred to as the Ottoman Golden Age.
But not all things last forever. In the Great Turkish War, the Ottomans lost a ton of land. Thus began the decline of the Ottomans.
How to Draw
- Draw a ball.
- Fill it with red.
- Draw a green circle in the middle.
- Draw three yellow crescent moons in the green circle.
- Add the eyes and you’re done.
| Color Name | HEX | |
|---|---|---|
| Red | #a4010c | |
| Green | #077e00 | |
| Yellow | #fbd703 | |
