HistoryShelf

The Ottoman Empire, founded in the 13th century, was a vast and influential state that spanned three continents and lasted for over six centuries until its dissolution in 1922. Beginning as a small Anatolian principality, it rapidly expanded under the leadership of Osman I and his descendants, eventually conquering Constantinople in 1453 and becoming the center of a powerful Islamic caliphate. The empire reached its zenith during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, encompassing territories from southeastern Europe to the Middle East and North Africa. Over time, however, internal strife, external pressure, and the challenges of modernization led to its decline. The Ottoman Empire ultimately collapsed after World War I, giving rise to the modern nation of Turkey and marking the end of a significant chapter in world history.