The Ottomans

• They were originally a nomadic people from central Asia

• They were Muslims

The Fall of the Byzantine Empire

• The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern half of the former Roman Empire.

• The Byzantines were Christians

• In 1453 the Ottomans invade and conquer the Byzantine Empire

Istanbul Not Constantinople

• The Ottomans conquered the capital city of Constantinople, and renamed it Istanbul

• Christian Churches such as the Hagia Sophia were converted into Islamic Masques

A perfect location for trade

• Istanbul was located on the border between Europe and the Middle East

• Istanbul had easy access to the Medierranean Sea and the Black Sea

Suleiman the Magnificent

• The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

• Believed that his Empire should follow the Islamic law of the Koran

• Felt that people who violated the laws should be harshly punished

Religious Tolerance

• Jew’s and Christians were allowed to practice their religion

• Jew’s and Christians had to follow Muslim law but were had their own courts and leaders

• The best jobs were reserved for Muslims

Advancements

• Suleiman valued knowledge and education

• The Ottomans developed Algebra

• Built vast trade networks contributing t to the spread of ideas

• Developed some of the earliest guns