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==The End of the Byzantine Empire and the Expansion of Islam==

==The End of the Byzantine Empire and the Expansion of Islam==

The end of the Byzantine empire occurred when Mongols invaded in the 13th century, followed by the rise of the Ottoman (Muslim) Turks to power in the 14th century, who replaced the Byzantium empire with their own.  The Ottoman empire then lasted over 600 years, from 1299 to 1923, when it was divided by the victors in World War I.  At the height of its power in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Ottoman empire included Anatolia, the Middle East, portions of North Africa, and much of southeastern Europe.

The end of the Byzantine empire occurred when Mongols invaded in the 13th century (the 1200s), followed by the rise of the Ottoman (Muslim) Turks to power in the 14th century (the 1300s), who replaced the Byzantium empire with their own.  The Ottoman empire then lasted over 600 years, from 1299 to 1923, when it was divided by the victors in World War I.  At the height of its power in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Ottoman empire included Anatolia, the Middle East, portions of North Africa, and much of southeastern Europe.

While powerful nation-states were developing in Europe, absolutist empires were spreading throughout the East and Islam was growing rapidly.  In present-day Turkey, in a region known as “Anatolia,” Muslim warriors called “ghazi” arose, seeking to conquer land belonging to infidels, or people of non-Islamic faith.  A famous ghazi named Osmen Bey began the Ottoman empire.  The strongest element of the Ottoman and other Asian empires of the time was their use of gunpowder, which gave rise to the term “gunpowder empires.”  Under Ottoman rule, non-Muslims had to pay a tax to avoid military service, which was mandatory for Muslims.  Slaves called “janissaries” were also used as warriors.

While powerful nation-states were developing in Europe, absolutist empires were spreading throughout the East and Islam was growing rapidly.  In present-day Turkey, in a region known as “Anatolia,” Muslim warriors called “ghazi” arose, seeking to conquer land belonging to infidels, or people of non-Islamic faith.  A famous ghazi named Osmen Bey began the Ottoman empire.  The strongest characteristic of the Ottoman and other Asian empires of the time was their use of gunpowder, which gave rise to the term “gunpowder empires.”  Under Ottoman rule, non-Muslims had to pay a tax to avoid military service, which was mandatory for Muslims.  Slaves called “janissaries” were also used as warriors.

In 1453 Ottoman sultan Mehmed II captured Constantinople, and tore the cross off the top of the Hagia Sophia, and declared the Christian church a mosque.  Selim the Grim and Suleiman I followed, expanding the Ottoman territories into an empire comprising Constantinople (now Istanbul), Syria, Palestine, Egypt, North Africa, Greece and even parts of Hungary and Austria.  The height of the Ottoman empire existed during the reign of Suleiman I, which lasted from 1520 to 1566 AD.  Suleiman was known by Europeans as “the Magnificent” because of the splendor of his reign, but has had the most prominence throughout history for his outstanding contribution as a lawgiver.  His picture can be found in the United States Supreme Court alongside those of Moses, Thomas Jefferson and Solon.  Called “people of the book”, Christians and Jews were allowed to practice their faiths under Ottoman rule.

In 1453 Ottoman sultan Mehmed II captured Constantinople, and tore the cross off the top of the Hagia Sophia, declaring the Christian church to be a mosque.  Selim the Grim and Suleiman I followed, expanding the Ottoman territories into an empire comprising Constantinople (now Istanbul), Syria, Palestine, Egypt, North Africa, Greece and even parts of Hungary and Austria.  The height of the Ottoman empire existed during the reign of Suleiman I, which lasted from A.D. 1520 to 1566.  Suleiman was known by Europeans as “the Magnificent” because of the splendor of his reign, but he had the greatest historical influence as a provider of laws and legal standards.  His picture can be found in the United States Supreme Court alongside those of Moses, Thomas Jefferson and Solon.  Called “people of the book,” Christians and Jews were allowed to practice their religions under Ottoman rule.

In addition to the Ottoman empire were the Islamic empires of Safavid and Mughal.  The Safavid dynasty, located in north-west Persia, was founded by a 14-year old “shah” (king) named Ismail who conquered the Seljuk Turks in North India.  The Shi’ite Safavids fought with the Sunni Ottomans for 200 years.  Safavid Shah Abbas the Great saw the peak of the Safavid Empire during his reign from 1588-1629, and established trade with Europe.

In addition to the Ottoman empire were the Islamic empires of Safavid and Mughal.  The Safavid dynasty, located in north-west Persia, was founded by a 14-year old “shah” (king) named Ismail who conquered the Seljuk Turks in North India.  The Shi’ite Safavids fought with the Sunni Ottomans for 200 years.  Safavid Shah Abbas the Great saw the peak of the Safavid Empire during his reign from 1588-1629, and established trade with Europe.