What was the Ottoman Empire?
The Ottoman Empire was a powerful Turkish state founded around 1299 that lasted until 1922. At its height, it ruled parts of southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
The empire was founded by Osman I in northwestern Anatolia, and its name comes from his. In 1453, Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire, and made it the Ottoman capital, later known as Istanbul. The empire reached its greatest power under Suleiman the Magnificent in the 1500s.
The Ottomans ruled a diverse empire of many religions and languages. They were famous for their architecture, such as the Süleymaniye Mosque designed by Mimar Sinan, as well as art, calligraphy and cuisine. The sultan lived in Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, overlooking the Bosphorus.
Decline and end
Over the 1700s and 1800s, the empire lost territory to wars and independence movements. After fighting on the losing side in World War I, it was divided by the Allies. The sultanate was abolished in 1922, and the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Did You Know?
The Ottoman Empire lasted more than 600 years, making it one of the longest-lasting empires in history.