Ottoman Empire

At first

• Tribal chief (Osman)
• Byzantium influences
• Took territory left by weakening Byzantium
• Bypassed Constantinople
• Raiding increased power

Suzerainty
Paid tribute - local leaders left alone to govern

Crusades

• Military expeditions starting in late 11th century
• To halt Islamic expansion
• Retake Holy Land
• Conquer pagan regions
• A means of redemption
• More on this later ….

Mehmed II took Constantinople in 1453.
Siege lasted 53 days
End of the Byzantine Empire
Repopulated with others from the Empire

Deushrime System
Non-Muslims had to hand over some children as a tax. Children converted and were slaves.
Janissaries - elite force

Fratricide
Once a new sultan in power, brothers imprisoned.

Killed once a son is born

Millets- self governing religious communities. Protected by the Sultan.

By 1571 Empire in decline. Finished during the First World War.

Secularism of Modern Turkey

Erdogan - move to tyranny

Elements of the Empire

• Oligarchy of 7 centuries
• State run education system
• State run judicial system
• Ruthless with local leaders
• Jihad - religious warrior code increasing influence
• Pragmatic - best ideas from others
• Slave-based army

1520-1566

• United Eastern Europe + Eastern Mediterranean
• Attracted top Muslim thinkers, artists, philosophers, writers, mathematicians
• Collected vast libraries of literature- contemporary and ancient

Once Constantinople fell, scholars left and went to Italy.

Brought texts and elements of Islamic culture

Why did this Centre of innovation and thinking cease being so?