He was “the Perfector of the Perfect Number”: tenth ruler of his house, born in the tenth century (Hegira); the number of good fortune, fingers, and toes; the number of Commandments, parts of the Quran, Muhammad’s disciples, and heavens of Islam. To the East, he was known as “the Lawgiver,” to the West, “the Magnificent.” These titles reflected the reputation of Suleiman I as his reign as sultan of the Ottomans brought great prestige to the empire. The sultan’s victorious campaigns brought previously unconquerable territory under Ottoman rule, while he struggled with internal conflicts of rumored betrayals, the deaths of loved ones, and the fear of imminent old age. Selim I, better known as Selim the Grim, was sultan of the Ottoman Empire
…show more content…
Ferdinand I, the brother of Charles V, was one of Suleiman’s main opponents. In 1521, Suleiman sent word to Hungary offering to seize Turkish assaults so long as they pay tribute; Hungarians severed the envoy’s nose and ears and sent him back to the sultan. Outraged, Suleiman waged war on Belgrade, one of Hungary’s defense lines; the Ottoman Empire was going to pursue Europe. The timing for this siege was impeccable due to the civil and religious wars taking place in the countries of Hungary’s allies. Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq described the Turks in his letters: “For the Turks resemble in this point great rivers swollen by the rains; if they can burst their banks in any single place, they pour through the breach and carry destruction far and wide.”
Over the last two hundred years, the Knights of the Order of St. John on Rhodes harassed Muslim trade in the Mediterranean. Suleiman attacked Rhodes in 1522 and successfully conquered it in 1523. What was thought to be an impregnable fortress fell to Turkish rule, and the Mediterranean was becoming more and more Ottoman. The remainder of Hungarian defenses was defeated at the Battle of Mohacs in 1526. Young King Louis II of Hungary was killed in battle, and at the sight of this, Suleiman wept. He then appointed John Zapolya, ruler of Transylvania, to govern the conquered …show more content…
With the aid of his grand vizir and dearest friend, Ibrahim, there was little the empire could not accomplish. The sultan was merciful and just, but he was not to be underestimated. Under his reign, the Ottoman Empire was feared, for their sultan was a lion. Suleiman campaigned to places that were previously unconquerable by Ottoman rulers and spread his empire onto the gates of Europe where the limit was reached. His demise was falling in love with Roxelana, who poisoned his mind with rumors of betrayal for her own advantage. As the sultan aged, more suspicious he became of traitors, murdering his advisor, Ibrahim, and later two of his sons, Mustafa and Bayezid. Death came to all whom he loved. Death would come to him too before he could witness his final victory as Ottoman
Ferdinand I, the brother of Charles V, was one of Suleiman’s main opponents. In 1521, Suleiman sent word to Hungary offering to seize Turkish assaults so long as they pay tribute; Hungarians severed the envoy’s nose and ears and sent him back to the sultan. Outraged, Suleiman waged war on Belgrade, one of Hungary’s defense lines; the Ottoman Empire was going to pursue Europe. The timing for this siege was impeccable due to the civil and religious wars taking place in the countries of Hungary’s allies. Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq described the Turks in his letters: “For the Turks resemble in this point great rivers swollen by the rains; if they can burst their banks in any single place, they pour through the breach and carry destruction far and wide.”
Over the last two hundred years, the Knights of the Order of St. John on Rhodes harassed Muslim trade in the Mediterranean. Suleiman attacked Rhodes in 1522 and successfully conquered it in 1523. What was thought to be an impregnable fortress fell to Turkish rule, and the Mediterranean was becoming more and more Ottoman. The remainder of Hungarian defenses was defeated at the Battle of Mohacs in 1526. Young King Louis II of Hungary was killed in battle, and at the sight of this, Suleiman wept. He then appointed John Zapolya, ruler of Transylvania, to govern the conquered …show more content…
With the aid of his grand vizir and dearest friend, Ibrahim, there was little the empire could not accomplish. The sultan was merciful and just, but he was not to be underestimated. Under his reign, the Ottoman Empire was feared, for their sultan was a lion. Suleiman campaigned to places that were previously unconquerable by Ottoman rulers and spread his empire onto the gates of Europe where the limit was reached. His demise was falling in love with Roxelana, who poisoned his mind with rumors of betrayal for her own advantage. As the sultan aged, more suspicious he became of traitors, murdering his advisor, Ibrahim, and later two of his sons, Mustafa and Bayezid. Death came to all whom he loved. Death would come to him too before he could witness his final victory as Ottoman