The Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire (1299–1922) was one of the largest and longest-lasting empires in world history, spanning Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. Founded by Osman I in Anatolia, the empire reached its zenith under Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–1566), when it controlled territories from Hungary to Yemen. The Ottomans captured Constantinople in 1453 (renaming it Istanbul), ending the Byzantine Empire. The empire was known for its religious tolerance (millet system), architectural achievements (Hagia Sophia conversion, Blue Mosque), legal code (kanun), and military innovations (Janissaries, gunpowder weapons). The empire declined over the 19th century and was dissolved after World War I.