Suleiman the Magnificent and the Ottoman Empire, c. 1566 (Illustration)

Illustration

by Simeon Netchev
published on 27 February 2023

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Suleiman the Magnificent and the Ottoman Empire, c. 1566 — Suleiman the Magnificent (also known as Süleyman, Suleyman I, or Suleiman the Lawgiver) was the tenth and longest-reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire, ruling from 1520 to 1566. Over his 45-year reign, he governed a vast, diverse empire across three continents and led the Ottomans to their peak of political, military, and cultural power.

Suleiman was a formidable rival to his powerful contemporaries—Francis I of France, Henry VIII of England, and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. He expanded Ottoman control into Hungary, held it for over 150 years, and reached deep into Central Europe, famously besieging Vienna in 1529. In the east, he seized Iraq from Safavid Persia; in the west, he captured major North African ports and dominated the Mediterranean Sea. His reign is also remembered for remarkable economic growth, legal reform, and cultural patronage, making this era the celebrated Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. He believes every image should tell a story and invite interaction, while every map should lead on a journey — blending imagination with e

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APA Style

Netchev, S. (2023, February 27). Suleiman the Magnificent and the Ottoman Empire, c. 1566. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17127/suleiman-the-magnificent-and-the-ottoman-empire-c/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Suleiman the Magnificent and the Ottoman Empire, c. 1566." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified February 27, 2023. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17127/suleiman-the-magnificent-and-the-ottoman-empire-c/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Suleiman the Magnificent and the Ottoman Empire, c. 1566." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 27 Feb 2023. Web. 03 Apr 2025.