OTTOMAN EMPIRE

By Weston8348
  • Jul 5, 1299

    1299

    The start of the ottoman empire
  • 1324

    1324-38

    Osman’s son and successor Orhan captures the city of Bursa from the Byzantines in 1324.
  • 1361

    1361

    Orhan’s son Murad I extends Ottoman conquests northward into Thrace, culminating with the capture of Adrianople.
  • 1444

    1444-1481

    Much of Anatolia falls to the Ottomans during the reign of Mehmed II (ruled 1444–46 and 1451–81). It is he who captures Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453 and makes it the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Mehmed lays the foundations for Ottoman rule in Anatolia and southeastern Europe.
  • 1481

    1481-1512

    Bayezid II reigns during this period. Bayezid extends the Ottoman Empire in Europe, adds outposts along the Black Sea, and puts down revolts in Anatolia. He also captures Venetian ports to establish bases for complete Ottoman naval control of the eastern Mediterranean.
  • 1512

    1512-1520

    Bayezid’s successor, Selim I, comes to the throne in 1512. He establishes firm control over the army. During his reign, which lasts until 1520, the Ottomans move south- and eastward into Syria, Arabia, and Egypt. Selim doubles the size of the empire, adding to it all the lands, except Iran and Mesopotamia, that had made up the Islamic state known as the Caliphate. By acquiring the holy places of Islam, Selim cements his position as the religion’s most powerful ruler.