The Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire

The Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire

Suleiman the Magnificent

Roxelana

Roxelana was Suleiman the Magnificent's favorite consort and later his legal wife. She achieved power and influenced the politics of the Ottoman Empire through her husband and played an active role in state affairs of the empire.

She became an influential rival to Mahidevran, Suleiman's other consort. Mahidevaran’s eldest son, Mustafa, preceded Roxelana’s own children in the order of succession. Since the empire lacked any formal means of nominating a successor, accession of the throne usually included the execution of competing princes. To prevent her own son from being executed, Roxelana used her influence to convince the Sultan to eliminate those who supported Mustafa’s claim to the throne. Mustafa was also eventually killed by order of the Sultan. This allowed Roxelana’s son, Selim II, to inherit the throne.

During her time in the palace, Roxelana also instigated power struggles that would lead to the Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasha, to be executed and replaced by her son-in-law, Rustem Pasha. Roxelana acted as Suleiman's advisor on matters of state, and seems to have had an influence upon foreign policy and on international politics.

Military Development:

Sources:

Suleiman the Magnificent

https://mrcaseyhistory.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/suleyman-by-by-ogier-ghiselin-de-busbecq.pdf

Mansel, Phillip (1998). Constantinople : City of the World's Desire, 1453–1924. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. p. 84.

Kinross, Patrick (1979). The Ottoman centuries: The Rise and Fall of the Turkish Empire. New York: Morrow.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-suleiman-mosque

"The Turkish horseman presents a very elegant spectacle, mounted on a horse of Cappadocian or Syrian or some other good breed, with trappings and horsecloths of silver spangled with gold and precious stones. He is resplendent in raiment of cloth of gold and silver, or else of silk or satin, or at any rate of the finest scarlet, or violet, or dark green cloth. At either side is a fine sheath, one to hold the bow, the other full of bright-colored arrows, both of wonderful Babylonian workmanship, as also is the ornamented shield which is attached to the left arm and which is only suited to ward off arrows and the blows dealt by a club or sword. His right hand is encumbered by a light spear, usually painted green, unless he prefers to keep that hand free; and he is girt with a scimitar studded with gems, while a steel club hangs from his horsecloth or saddle. “Why so many weapons?” you will ask. My answer is that he is practiced in the use of all of them. “But how,” you ask, “can any one use both a bow and a spear? Will he seize his bow only when he has thrown or broken his spear?” No: he keeps his spear in his possession as long as possible, and, when circumstances demand the use of the bow in its turn, he puts the spear, which is light and therefore easily handled, between the saddle and his thigh, in such a position that the point projects a long way behind and the pressure of the knee holds it firm as long as he thinks fit. When circumstances make it necessary for him to fight with the spear, he puts the bow into the quiver or else fixes it across the shield on his left arm. I do not propose, however, to spend more words in explaining the skill in arms which they have acquired by long practice in warfare and continual exercise. On their heads they wear turbans made of the whitest and finest cotton stuff, in the middle of which rises a fluted peak of purple silk. This head-dress is often adorned with black feathers."

Pargali Ibrahim Pasha

Suleiman the Magnificent (1494-1566) was the longest reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He made several achievements during his life. Some of his accomplishments include the Ottoman's golden age of cultural development as well as the massive expansion of the Ottoman Empire. From a young age, Suleiman studied theology, literature, science, history, and warfare. Upon succeeding his father in 1520, he took many bold military campaigns. He conquered Belgrade in 1521, Rhodes in 1522, and laid seige to Vienna in 1529. From 1534-1555, Suleiman carried on 3 major attacks on the Safavids. In addition, Suleiman funded many cultural artisans such as artists, architects, and craftsman. He is well known for his accomplishments and his decisiveness.

(Primary Source 1)

Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha was the childhood friend of Suleiman. At first the royal falconer, Pasha was later promoted by Suleiman to first officer of the Royal Bedchamber. Ibrahim Pasha rose to Grand Vizier in 1523 and became the commander-in-chief of all the armies. Suleiman also conferred upon Ibrahim Pasha the honor of beylerbey of Rumelia, granting Ibrahim authority over all Turkish territories in Europe, as well as command of troops residing within them in times of war. One notable accomplishment of his was that he turned Hungry into an Ottoman vassal state.

However, Ibrahim eventually fell from the sultan’s good graces. During his years as the Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasha’s rapid rise to power and wealth had gained him many enemies in the court. Suleiman was later convinced of Ibrahim’s disloyalty and had him executed.

Timeline of Suleiman's Reign (1520-1566)

September 1520- Suleiman succeeds his father as Sultan.

1538- Sea Batte of Preveza. Turkish navy controls most of Mediterranean Sea.

1526- Battle of Mohács. Suleiman I defeats Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia

1565- Siege of Malta

1551- Libya is taken over.

Military Development (cont):

1529- Siege of Vienna.

1533- Iraq under Turkish rule.

1550- Sultanate of Women starts.

1566- Siege of Szeged and Suleiman's death.

1521-Suleiman captures Belgrade.

1553- War with Iran, Execution of his son Mustafa

1522- Suleiman captures Rhodes.

"...After the cavalry had passed, there followed a long column of Janissaries, scarcely any of whom carried any other arms except their muskets. . . . Behind them followed their captains and colonels, each with their distinguishing marks of rank. Last came their commander-in-chief, riding by himself. Next followed the chief officials, including the Pashas; then the infantry forming the royal bodyguard in their special uniform and equipment, and carrying their bows, for they are all archers. Next came the Sultan’s own chargers, remarkable for their fine appearance and trappings, led by grooms. The Sultan himself was mounted on a splendid horse. His expression was severe and frowning, and he was obviously in an angry mood. Behind him were three young pages, one carrying a flask of water, another a cloak, and the third a casket . . . The rear of the procession was formed by a squadron of about two hundred horsemen..."

-excerpt from letters from Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, the Austrian ambassador in Constantinople from 1554 to 1562,

Textiles/Carpets:

The textile industry was of particular importance because it was a large part of the Ottoman Empire's economy and trade goods. Handwoven carpets portrayed images and designs that held both religious and symbolic meanings. In addition, the high quality of the fibers ensured that the rugs would last for a long time. Ottoman textiles also had practical uses. Many were used in mosques and other building of religious or cultural significance. They were a prestigious characteristic of the Ottoman Empire.

Anatolian double-niche rug, Konya region, circa 1650-1750

Expansion

Siege of Rhodes:

Administrative Reforms:

Expansion

Siege of Belgrade:

On June 26, 1522, 400 ships arrived on Rhodes. Two days later, Suleiman himself and an army of 100,000 men arrived to attack Rhodes. In September, a 12 yard wide breach was made in the city wall and became the central point in the battle. In December a truce was made, but a only four days after, Suleiman became angered at demands for assurance of safety and ordered the bombardment to resume. On December 22, a truce was reached in which the knights had 12 days to take whatever they wanted and leave the island. This secured Ottoman control of the Eastern Mediterranean.

In the East, Sultan Suleiman was known as "The Lawgiver" because of his reforms. He created a single code based on the law of Islam, the Shari'a. This code became known as the "Ottoman laws." New reforms on the levies and taxes paid by Christian subjects attracted many Christian serfs to move into the Ottoman empire.

Suleiman created a very specific code that fined people for specific offenses and reduced the number of offenses that resulted in death or mutilation.

The Qur'an, from which Shari'a law comes from

Ottoman Janissaries wielding guns at the Seige of Rhodes

In August, 1521, Suleiman the Magnificent laid siege to the Hungarian Belgrade. The city walls were defeated with heavy mining and a week of bombardment. After the walls were defeated, Belgrade fell with little effort and very few casualties. This was the first conquest in Suleiman's expansionist series of campaigns.

Map of Belgrade

(Primary Source 2)

Suleymaniye Mosque

Architecture

Süleymaniye Mosque is historically significant because it is the burial place of Suleiman the Magnificent, his wife Roxelana, and their daughter, Mihrimah Sultan. It is the second-largest mosque in Istanbul. The mosque was built on the order on the Sultan who commissioned the architect Mimar Sinan to oversee the project. The construction of the mosque began in 1550 and was finished by 1558. The architecture combiness both Islamic and Byzantine elements. It was also designed to be more symmetrical than its counterpart, the Hagia Sophia. The main dome is 53 meters high and has a diameter of about 28 meters.

The Süleymaniye was destroyed in a fire in 1660 and restored by Sultan Mehmed IV. In addition, part of dome collapsed during an earthquake in 1766, and subsequent repairs damaged what was left of the original decoration of Sinan. The building suffered another fire during World War I when it was used as a weapons depot. Some of the ammunition accidentally ignited and casued the fire. The mosque wasn’t fully restored again until 1956. It still stands today and is one of the best-known sights in the city.