THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE Origins and Timeline

WHO WERE THE OTTOMANS?

A Turkish people Originally from Central Asia

Turkish tribes began migrating to Middle East around the year 1000 A.D.

Served as soldiers for Islamic rulers—converted to Islam

Kept own language; adopted some Persian and Arabic customs—eventually replaced Arabic-speakers as rulers of most Islamic kingdoms

Many Turks migrated into the region of Anatolia or Asia Minor

ASIA MINOR

ASIA MINOR

Bridge between Europe and Asia—trade and people had to go through

Under control of Byzantine Empire until Battle of Manzikertin 1071—Seljuk Turkish army defeated the Byzantine Greeks

Turkish tribes began settling in Eastern Anatolia

OTTOMAN ORIGINS

By 1200s, Asia Minor was a frontier region—between collapsing Byzantine and Seljuk Empires

Local lords competed for power

Original Ottomans were the warriors (ghazis) of a Turkish lord (sultan) named Osman

Frontier origins would always be important for Ottomans

Their civilization “grew up” in area of mixed cultures and religions

Non-Turks and non-Muslims would always play an important role in empire—as long as they were loyal to the sultan

EXPANSION

Ottomans grew in power—conquered Asia Minor and much of the Balkans

Battle of Kosovo (1389): Ottomans defeated the powerful Serbian Empire

Military strength Use of gunpowder

Janissaries—elite soldiers of the sultan

Ottoman rulers wanted to conquer the legendary city of Constantinople above all….

JANISSARIES

FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE1453—Sultan Mehmed II Fetih(The Conqueror) captures the city Last Byzantine emperor died in battle

Orthodox Christians were an officially tolerated religion (along with Judaism)—lived under the authority of their own laws and leaders (the millet system)

Most churches stayed churches—except for the Haghia Sophia

Mehmed repaired sewage system and aqueducts of city

SULEYMAN THE MAGNIFICENT

Early sultans were active political and military leaders—all powerful No official system of succession early on—sons of the previous sultan would fight for the throne

Later sultans withdrew from politics—Grand Viziers (advisers) gained power

Suleyman the Magnificent—most powerful sultan in Ottoman history Ruled 1520-1566

Expanded empire into Europe (defeat of Hungary) and Arabia

Great builder

Known as Suleyman “the Lawgiver” to the Turks

BUILDINGS OF SULEYMAN