1. Geography of the “Gunpowder” Empires

2. The Expansion of the Ottoman Empire
Conquer Constantinople
Byzantine Capital
Use canons to penetrate walls of the city
Rename city Istanbul
Conquests continue for 200 years
Ottoman Geography:
Balkan Peninsula
Asia Minor
North Africa

3. Suleiman the Magnificent
Responsible for extending Ottoman rule to its peak
Claimed to be the Caliph of all Muslims & “Protector of Sacred Places”
Ruled with absolute authority
Advised by grand viziers & a council

4. Ottoman Social Structure & Government
Ottoman Government
Based on Sharia (Muslim Law)
Supplemented by Royal Edicts
Government Officials & Religious scholars interpret/apply law
Bureaucracy = supervised government
Military = kept peace
*Janizaries*
Men of the Sword/Men of the Pen
Men of Negotiation
Men of Husbandry

5. The Safavid Empire Modern Day Iran (Persia) Shiite Muslims
Safavid King = “Shah”
Located between 2 expansionist empires
Mughals to East (India)
Ottomans to West
Ottomans are Sunni
View Safavids as heretics
Isfahan = capital city