Ottoman Empire Culture

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Culture of the Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire was named after Osman I, the founder and first leader of the empire. It is also referred to as the Turkish Empire by more recent historians due to its capital being located in modern-day Turkey. At its height the Ottoman Empire spanned much of the Middle East as wells as Southeast Europe and parts of North Africa. It bordered the Mediterranean, Caspian, Black, and Red seas. It was comprised of countries that would later exist as modern-day Greece, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia, Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Tunisia as well as parts of modern-day Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Libya, and Ukraine. Physically, much of the Ottoman Empire was very mountainous with plains and deserts being the only other notable features. The region was dry climate-wise, receiving little rain.

The Government of the Ottoman Empire was a Central Government that had control over the territories, officials, and citizens with a Monarch called a Sultan (similar to a king) at the head. Wealth and Rank in the Ottoman government could be inherited as well as earned, with Military service being a key part of earning advancement.

The culture of the Ottoman Empire was very diverse, having covered a large segment of land. Religiously, the
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Given that the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul, was located in Turkey, Turkish culture could said to be nearly identical to Ottoman culture. These elements have faded in other areas of the Middle East, such as Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Iran, where they are being replaced by more Arabian and European cultural elements The Byzantine elements of Ottoman culture have also faded more than the Turkish elements, though they are prevalent in Southern Europe. So the art, literature, cuisine, and music of the Ottoman Empire are still present in areas that were part of the

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