Suleiman the Magnificent

Suleiman I (in Turkish Süleyman and in the Arabic alphabet ??????) (November 6, 1494 – September 5/6, 1566), known in Europe as "the Magnificent" and in the Islamic world as "the Lawgiver" (in Turkish Kanuni), was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566. Under his rule, the Ottoman Empire reached its zenith and became a world power.

Achievements

After succeeding his father on his death, Suleiman began a series of military conquests, starting with the capture of Belgrade in 1521. In 1522 he captured Rhodes after a siege, allowing the Knights of St. John to evacuate to Malta.

Related Topics:
Belgrade - 1521 - 1522 - Rhodes - Siege - Knights of St. John - Malta

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On August 29, 1526 Suleiman defeated Louis II of Hungary at the Battle of Mohács, occupying most of Hungary before giving it to John Zapolya, the prince of Transylvania, to govern. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and his brother Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria retook Hungary, in response to which Süleyman twice tried to re-invade, twice being beaten by the weather after besieging Vienna in 1529 and 1532. In 1533 a treaty was signed with Ferdinand, splitting Hungary between the Habsburgs and Zapolya. On Zapolya's death, Ferdinand was left the Hungarian territories, prompting Süleyman to annex Hungary, resulting in several struggles and peace treaties restoring the status-quo.

Related Topics:
August 29 - 1526 - Louis II of Hungary - Battle of Mohács - Hungary - John Zapolya - Transylvania - Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor - Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria - Besieging Vienna - 1529 - 1532 - 1533

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In the following two decades, huge territories of North Africa west to Morocco and all Middle East north to Persia were annexed. This quick expansion was associated with naval dominance for a short period in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and Persian Gulf. In 1562 he conquered Transylvania. He was not so successful in 1565 when the Knights of Malta succeeded in lifting the Siege of Malta, which began on May 18 and lasted until September 8.

Related Topics:
North Africa - Morocco - Middle East - Persia - Mediterranean Sea - Red Sea - Persian Gulf - 1562 - Transylvania - 1565 - Knights of Malta - Siege of Malta

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While he may have been seen as dangerous to the outside world, he was known as a fair ruler within the empire, fought corruption, and was a great patron of artists and philosophers. He was also noted as one of the greatest Islamic poets, and an accomplished goldsmith. He earned his nickname the Lawmaker from his complete reconstruction of the Ottoman law system. The laws that he gathered covered almost every aspect of life at the time.

Related Topics:
Artist - Philosophers - Islamic - Poet - Goldsmith

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Süleyman died in 1566, the night before victory at the Battle of Szigetvar, in Hungary. He is buried in a mausoleum with his wife Roxelana (Khourrem) at the Süleymaniye Mosque.

Related Topics:
1566 - Battle of Szigetvar - Roxelana - Süleymaniye Mosque

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At the time of his death, the major Muslim cities (Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, Damascus, and Baghdad), many Balkan provinces up to today's Austria, and most of North Africa were under the control of the empire.

Related Topics:
Muslim - Mecca - Medina - Jerusalem - Damascus - Baghdad - Balkan - Austria - North Africa

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