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Jan 1, 1300
Ottoman Empire Established
The Ottoman Empire is established by Osman, a Turkish nomadic leader between 1300 and 1326. The term "Ottoman" means "follower of Osman." Osman takes over a lot of territory quickly in Anatolia. Military based on archers on horseback. -
Jan 1, 1326
Orhan Takes Power
Osman's son, Orhan, becomes the leader after Osman dies. Orhan concentrates on the conquest of cities. The military transitions from archers on horseback to infantry. Orhan takes many cities and establishes ruling institutions. He conquers and rules. -
Jan 1, 1361
The Ottomans Capture Adrianople
The Ottomans capture the Byzantine city of Adrianople, and rename it Edirne. Edirne would serve as the Ottoman's capital. -
Jul 28, 1402
Timurlane Crushes the Ottoman Army
Timurlane, a powerful warrior and leader in the Middle East and Central Asia, defeats the Ottoman Army at the Battle of Ankara on July 28, 1402. The Ottoman Sultan is taken captive, and commits suicide in captivity. The Ottoman Empire is thrown into disarray, because there are four princes. The Ottoman Empire stops expansion while the four brothers fight for power. Finally, in 1413, Mehmed I becomes Sultan. -
Period: Jan 1, 1413 to Jan 1, 1451
The Ottoman Empire Continues to Expand
The Ottoman Empire continues to expand rapidly. The empire survives the civil war between the four brothers, and continues to flourish because of its strong institutions. The empire expands into Anatolia and the Balkans. Mehmed II comes to power in 1451, and wants to expand into Europe as well. Mehmed looks to conquer the Byzantine city of Constantinople. -
May 29, 1453
The Fall of Constantinople
Constantinople is taken by the Ottomans after almost a two month long seige. The Ottomans used cannons to break down the walls of the city. Mehmed II had the best military minds working for him, and the Ottomans succeeded in taking the city. Constantinople had never been conquered before 1453. Mehmed II is given the nickname, "the conqueror" for his success in taking Constantinople. The city eventually becomes the Ottoman Empire's capital, and is now called Istanbul. -
Jan 1, 1514
Selim the Grim Takes the Muslim Holy Cities
Selim I "the Grim" came to power in 1512. He was an effective Sultan and a great general. In 1514, he defeated the Safavids: a huge military success. Selim expanded the empire into North Africa thorugh the Middle East. He took Mecca and Medina from Safavid control, and Selim took Cairo from the Mamluk Dynasty in Egypt. Now the Ottoman Empire had the holiest cities in Islam, Mecca and Medina, and the intellectual center of Islam, Cairo. The Ottoman Empire was the most powerful Muslim Empire. -
Period: Jan 1, 1520 to Jan 1, 1566
The Reign of Suleyman the Lawgiver
The Ottoman Empire reached its peak under Suleyman the Lawgiver. He ruled for 46 years, and was a great military and political leader. The empire doubled in size, expanding into Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. Culture floursished under Suleyman, and he made many reforms that bettered the lives of his citizens. The Ottoman Empire was the most powerful empire in the world under Suleyman.
