Ottoman Empire

Rise of Empire

• Turkish state made up of Anatolia, parts of Southwest Asia, North Africa, and South-eastern Europe

• 14th- 20th century

Ottoman Empire

• The empire was founded by Osman I in 1281

• The leaders that followed took the title of Sultan

Suleiman I

• The height of the empire’s power came under Suleiman I • 1520-1560• He is considered one of

the greatest Islamic rulers in history

Suleiman I

• Under his power the empire expanded its borders from the Persian Gulf to Hungary and Egypt to the Caucasus

• It was his policy to assist any Muslim country threatened by European expansion• His military was so advanced that most

European nations were left in total fear

Suleiman I • Was a tolerant conqueror

• He absorbed some of the culture of the people they took over

• Most of the Churches were left intact and only a few turned in mosques

• Ended government corruption and was a patron of the arts

• Nicknamed the lawgiver • Because he ordered the entire Ottoman law

system overhauled

• Even with his advances the empire could not survive after his death

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

• Started as a church • Was built by

Constantius in Constantinople

• In 532 was burned down• Rebuilt by the Emperor

Justinian from 532-537

Hagia Sophia

• Considered a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture

• Decorated with • Marble & Mosaics

Hagia Sophia

• 1453: Ottomans take over Constantinople the church was turned into a mosque

• The mosaics and all signs of Christianity were plastered over

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque

• Sultan Ahmed Mosque• Built from 1609-1616 • Architect : Mehmed Aga • Faces the Hagia Sophia to show that

Ottoman architects & builders could rival Christians

• Given its name because of the dome and color of the paintwork inside

Blue Mosque

• It is the only mosque in Turkey with 6 minarets

• Main building is a square• Dome: 77ft in

diameter & 140ft high

• 260 windows

Suleymaniye Mosque

• Second largest mosque in Istanbul

• Built from 1550-57 • Architect: Sinan • Suleiman & his wife

are buried there