Suleiman the Magnificent

Suleiman is Born

Jan 1, 1495

Suleiman was born this year in history. He will grow up in the royal family but until later in his life he will not have any chance at obtaining the throne. His birth is the beginning of the end for the Otooman empire. After his reign the Empire will slowly decline until it eventually is destroyed in World War One. ("Suleiman I 20-21")

Selim I overthrows Bayezid and takes the throne

Jan 1, 1512

Selim I is Suleiman's father, the last heir to the Ottoman throne. He now overthrows his aging father, Suleiman's grandfather, Bayezid. Before this Suleiman had no chance to obtain the throne, now with Selim firmly cemented as the only Sultan, Suleiman will get the throne eventually and become Sultan. (Moss and Wilson 127)

Michelangelo finishes the Sistine Chapel

Nov 1, 1512

The Sistine chapel was a major undertaking for the Church. They hired one of the best artists of the time to paint an inspiring image from the Bible on the ceiling of a chapel. Michelangelo accepted the challenge and went ot work immediatly on the project, he worked tirelessly for four years to paint a beautiful image inside the pope's palace. This major undertaking was meant to show the true power and wealth of the Roman Catholic church. (Grun 229)

Juan Ponce de Leon discovers Florida

Jan 1, 1513

Juan Ponce de Leon, with the help of Spanish royalty, embarked on a journey of exploration to find the places that Columbus had talked about. He soon found what he was looking for, Florida. When he landed he immediatly claimed the land for the Spanish kings and queens. This one small action of planting a flag in the ground changed the world forever. Colonization in America had begun and only more countries were going to follow the Spanish lead. (Grun 229)

Anne of Cleves born

Sep 22, 1515

Anne of Cleves was the fourth wife of Henry VIII was born. Anne of Cleves was a German noble woman, the sister to the Duke of Cleves. Henry VIII wanted to marry her for many political reasons, including the alliance that had been formed between the King of Frnace and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Henry married her and divorced her 5 monthes later, she graciously accepted the title of "King's Sister" and outlived her former husband to see her step-daughter crowned queen. (Grun 229)

Suleiman comes to power

Jan 1, 1520

Selim I had always fought his enemies to the East, the Persians. Now he has gone and fought the Hungarians in the West. He died in a camp on the way to the battle. Suleiman has now taken the throne and has become the Sultan after his father's 8 year reign. His education and military skill are now going to be tested as he proves himself the king of one of the strongest empire in Europe. ("Suleiman I 20-21")

Suleiman captures Belgrade

Aug 6, 1521

Suleiman plans to prove himself to be a great king. For years Otooman Sultans have tried to break the Christian stronghold of Belgrade. He marched his army up to The gates of Belgrade and seiged the city for a few months. After the cannons finished firing the white flag was flying over Belgrade as the victoriuos Suleiman rode through the city. This city now allows further access to Europe for the Ottoman Army, which Suleiman plans to take advantage of. ("Suleiman I 20-21")

Suleiman captures Rhodes from the Knights of St. John

Dec 21, 1522

The Knights of St. John are a Christian group of knight that have been interfeering with Ottoman shipping. Suleiman builds a large naval force and sets sail the few miles to Rhodes. The island wa attacked for months until the Knights of St. John surrender. Suleiman made a generous offer to the inhabitants of the island, if you wish to leave can and if you wish to stay all you will have to do is pay a tax. In those days men were killed and women sold into slavery. ("Suleiman I 20-21")

Vasco de Gama dies

Jan 1, 1524

Vasco de Gama was a famous Portuguese explorer who sailed around the southern tip of Africa to India. Vasco de Gama went on a voyage of discovery after Columbus arrived back to Spain telling stories of the West Indies. He had found modern-day Cuba but believed it to be India. When de Gama went on his voyage he spent many years sailing around Africa into the Indian Ocean and finding India.This was the first voyage to find India and lead to many other voyages of discovery. (Grun 235)

Suleiman destroys the Hungarian Army at Mohács

Aug 1, 1526

Again Austrian influence in Hungary haas led to another war between Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Suleiman leads his army into Hungary and meets the Hungarian army at the small town of Mohacs. Suleiman destroys the Hungarian army along with the Hungarian king and many of his nobles. This effectivly leaves Suleiman in control of all Hungarian territory. ("Suleiman I 20-21")

Attack on Vienna

Oct 15, 1529

The attack on Vienna is the greatest failure of Suleiman's military career. He brought his army to the gate of the very city that has been a thorn in his side for most of his reign. Vienna had prevented him from advancing his army deeper into Europe. His army bombards the city for almost a month, non-stop, and then the army must retreat. The weather conditions did not favor the Ottoman army and so Suleiman experienced the greatest failure of his military career. ("Suleiman I 20-21")

First lunatic asylums

Jan 1, 1533

The first lunatic aslylums were a major step in history. Before this point lunatics could just walk around with everyone else, they could wreck havoc and, besides killing them or shoving them ina dungeon where they wuld eventually die, people couldn't do a lot about them. Now there is a place that the people who were a detriment to society could be placed and not killed. This is a major step in world history towards the closer examination of the brain and it's functions. (Grun 237)

Suleiman hires "Barbarossa" as the Kapudan Pasha

Jan 1, 1534

"Barbarosssa", or Red Beard, was a pirate from the Barbary Coast in Northern Africa. Suleiman had spent years prior to this building up his navy, so that he could capture the Barbary Coast and to protect Ottoman shipping. He now sees a much cheaper and effective way to acheive both of these objectives, hire "Barbarossa". "Barbarossa" quickly changes the Ottoman navy into a force to be reckoned with. Now Suleiman has a strong navy and control of the Barbary Coast. ("Suleiman I 20-21")

Jacque Cartier's first voyage, sights Labrador

Jan 1, 1534

Jacque Cartier was a French explorer who made the first major discovery of modern day Canada since the Vikings. He was tasked by the French king to find the land that Spain was claiming for itself and claim it for France. Jacque Cartier was soon sailing for the New World. He sighted Labrador and claimed it for France. This was a key factor in the devlopment of later settlements, such as British colonies to the south. This one trip began the path of the United States. (Grun 237)

Destruction of the Ottoman Navy at Malta

Jan 1, 1565

As Suleiman gets older his subjects beleive that in his old age he is incapable of runing the empire. Suleiman sets out to prove them wrong by destroying an old enemy, the Knights of St. John. After being defeated at Rhodes almost 45 years earlier they fled to the island of Malta. He sends his navy with a large invasion force to attack the knights. The results convinced people Suleiman was incapable. The Otttoman navy never recovered it's control of the seas. ("Suleiman I 20-21")

Suleiman dies

Sep 5, 1566

After his major defeat at Malta Suleiman was determined to prove his worth. He planned an invasion and began to travel to meet his army, he died on the way. Suleiman had only one possible heir due to the manipulation of his wife Roxelana. When Suleiman died, Selim II, took the throne and the empire's decline began. He was named Selim the Drunk while his father was named the Lawgiver. The empire never recovered, it eventually was dismantled after World War One. ("Suleiman I 20-21")