Reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (apr 17, 1520 – apr 27, 1566)
Description:
Before his reign:
- Ottoman empire had stopped being a threat to Europe in 1480 when they entered a period of internal struggle
Key Aspects of his reign:
- brought Turks back to being legitimate threat
- had hold of Hungary by 1526, although repulsed when attempting to get Vienna
- went into Western Mediterranean; despite Spanish defeat, continued to hold Nominal control of southern shores of Mediterranean
- possessed highly effective government system, especially when headed with a strong leader
- Well ordered military
- Janissaries were boys taken from Christian parents, converted, and raised to be an elite unit of the military personally loyal to the Sultan (8,000)
- Turks were treated like legitimate European power
After his rule:
- Turks unfortunately lost their status when they tried again to take Vienna and were replused by European army; never threat to Europe again
Added to timeline:
Unit IV Timeline
Date:
