Süleyman (1494–1566)’s political career began in his teens as a provincial governor and a key participant in his father Selim I’s (r1512-20) rebellion securing dad the throne. But Suleyman was exposed to brutal violence whenever Selim decided to slaughter his own father, two brothers and multiple nephews. Meantime Selim captured lands in Egypt, Syria and Arabian Peninsula, and then he pushed on to capture Mecca and Medina.
Süleyman, by Titian c.1530
Wikimedia
Selim left his son an emerging empire with a stake in regional and global commerce and a sophisticated cultural identity. And when Süleyman became Sultan in Sept 1520, his kingdom already covered the territories of the Balkans, Anatolia, Levant and Egypt. In the first 6 years, Süleyman expanded his empire to take Belgrade & Rhodes. In 1526, he also enjoyed a clear victory against the Hungarian Kingdom and allies at the Battle of Mohács, sparking border disputes among Habsburg Austria, Ottomans, Croatia and Hungary.
Süleyman's empire was multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-confessional. The Ottoman state had little interest in radically changing the practices of local groups, if they were peaceful, so its officials had to have a knowledge of local practices and norms.
In his long reign, Süleyman played a pivotal role in European affairs. He pledged assistance to Protestant causes in order to undermine the Habsburgs etc. And he did not hinder Protestantism taking root in Hungary or Transylvania. He formed an alliance with the French against the Habsburgs and transformed much of the Mediterranean Sea into an Ottoman lake for decades to come.
The Ottoman world was one in which Islam was privileged and Süleyman’s reign marked an ongoing interest in Islamic religious matters. From then, all Sultans saw themselves as Caliph and head of all Sunni Muslims. Süleyman waged 3 major wars against Persia. The first (1534–5) was in Iraq. The second (1548–9) brought the Lake Van area under Ottoman rule. And the third (1554–55) warned the Ottomans of the difficulty defeating Persia’s Ṣafavid state. So a formal peace between the Ottomans and Ṣafavids was signed!
Süleyman's reign continued affecting Europe eg campaigns led to the emergence of 3 distinct Hungarys: Habsburg Hungary in north & west; Ottoman Hungary along the middle Danube centred on Buda; and the vassal state, Transylvania.
Süleyman's empire was multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-confessional. The Ottoman state had little interest in radically changing the practices of local groups, if they were peaceful, so its officials had to have a knowledge of local practices and norms.
In his long reign, Süleyman played a pivotal role in European affairs. He pledged assistance to Protestant causes in order to undermine the Habsburgs etc. And he did not hinder Protestantism taking root in Hungary or Transylvania. He formed an alliance with the French against the Habsburgs and transformed much of the Mediterranean Sea into an Ottoman lake for decades to come.
The Ottoman world was one in which Islam was privileged and Süleyman’s reign marked an ongoing interest in Islamic religious matters. From then, all Sultans saw themselves as Caliph and head of all Sunni Muslims. Süleyman waged 3 major wars against Persia. The first (1534–5) was in Iraq. The second (1548–9) brought the Lake Van area under Ottoman rule. And the third (1554–55) warned the Ottomans of the difficulty defeating Persia’s Ṣafavid state. So a formal peace between the Ottomans and Ṣafavids was signed!
Süleyman's reign continued affecting Europe eg campaigns led to the emergence of 3 distinct Hungarys: Habsburg Hungary in north & west; Ottoman Hungary along the middle Danube centred on Buda; and the vassal state, Transylvania.
Ottoman-Hungarian Wars, Battle 1526
fineartamerica
Beyond military conquest, Süleyman also standardised and centralised legal system for the Ottoman state. He collected and edited the various law books of his forbearers, added statutes to create a more universally applicable text and specified the punishments for offences.
For all the cultural splendour and military success of Süleyman's rule, it was also brutal like his father’s. Marriage to his second consort Hurrem Sultan (c1502–58) caused endless controversy because he was the first Sultan since the early years of the Empire to marry. He was deeply devoted to his wife and she amassed great power in her own right. But this marriage caused gossip that she was a witch who was behind the Sultan’s intrigues. And political intrigue followed him. He was forced to kill his dear friend, long serving grand vizier Ibrahim (d1536) because he took too many royal rights for himself. Worse still, he ordered his politically popular son Mustafa (d1556) then son Beyzid (d1561) executed.
Süleyman’s rule was a turning point in Ottoman history and across its empire. Historians argued that Süleyman represented the apogee of Ottoman power and statecraft, and his death started a long decline. Under Süleyman the Ottomans largely reached the limitations of their supply lines and infrastructure, leading to a focus on internal affairs, not territorial expansion. Although later Sultans did conquer more territory, they often found that wars gained little.
The system of centralised rule finalised under Süleyman was quickly adapt to the rapidly changing world and the crises that later rocked Europe. The empire began a controlled decentralisation in response to the need for tax and changes in warfare in Europe eg gunpowder.
Süleyman recognised the need for flexibility and it was this adaptability during crises that made the difference. Where other empires and kingdoms collapsed, the Ottoman Empire lasted into the C20th!
Süleymaniye Mosque, built 1550–7
Taghribnews
He was a major patron of the arts whose cultural legacy remains. He often reflected in his poetry on the passing nature of rule, life and power. The NGA book Age of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent (1987) accompanied the first major Turkish art exhibition devoted to the Sultan's reign. The sophisticated patronage of Süleyman and his court nurtured the high standards that typified C16th Ottoman art. See 200+ works of art: manuscripts, jewelled vessels, silks and ceramics, created in the Sultan’s imperial studios. And architecture - along with other beautiful buildings in Istanbul, the mosque was already built by the Chief of the Corps of Royal Architects, Mimar Sinan in 1550–7.
Süleyman’s reign lasted 46 years, the longest in Ottoman history. The elderly Süleyman died in his command tent while leading a military campaign against Szigetvár Hungary in 1566.
Conclusion
He rose to be one of the most powerful, influential monarchs in European history, the foremost military power, even during the time of powerful rulers: Francis 1 (1494-1547); Henry VIII (1491-1547); Charles V (1500-58); and Ivan IV (1530-84). Suleyman conquered new lands, expanded the Empire, built up Constantinople as the Empire’s capital and introduced coffee houses.
He rose to be one of the most powerful, influential monarchs in European history, the foremost military power, even during the time of powerful rulers: Francis 1 (1494-1547); Henry VIII (1491-1547); Charles V (1500-58); and Ivan IV (1530-84). Suleyman conquered new lands, expanded the Empire, built up Constantinople as the Empire’s capital and introduced coffee houses.
Expansion of the Ottoman Empire,
with conquests by Süleyman indicated in green. Wiki,
Press to expand
18 comments:
Suleyman is a name I finally learnt to familiarise after your post. What a history.
He didn't like the Hapsburgs much, did he? and it was probably mutual.
roentare
you are not alone. I did history for 6 years in high school and 4 years at university, and studied in depth British, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Israeli, Australian, New Zealand, Indian, Chinese history etc. But I knew sod all about Selim, Süleyman or any other Ottomans. Shame on the curriculum designers, back then.
Train Man
Because the Ottomans seemed a serious threat to the European powers, Ottoman–Habsburg wars were fought constantly, together with the Habsburg allies: Kingdom of Hungary, Poland, Romania and Habsburg Spain. What I hadn’t understood was 1] the role of the Protestant Reformation and 2] the role of the French. And I had to examine carefully how much the Ottomans were forced to divert their attention to the Persian Empire. When the central part of the Kingdom of Hungary was reduced to the status of an Ottoman colony, I think both sides were surprised.
What an extraordinary man - ruthless and no doubt charming and not to be judged by current standards. Empires rise and fall inexorably.
jabblog
Yes! I know Sultan Süleyman's exact dates. But it is very difficult to tell what a new dynasty started and finished; we only know retrospectively when we can give specific dates. And even then, the neighbouring dynasties might not agree that the power balance permanently changed.
Let me give a good example: The Mughal empire was said to be founded in 1526 by Babur, a warrior chieftain from Uzbekistan, who swept down the plains of North India WITH his allies. Later the empire was formally dissolved by the British Raj, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent,
by Esin Atil,
Published by Harry N Abrams, March 1987
Examines the textiles, ceramics, furniture, illustrated books and other decorative art of the 16th century Turkish empire.
Brilliant, thank you.
Since many people will not be able to locate and admire the art works where they are held, the Esin Atil book will be an essential reference.
It is hard to get a feel for the person behind the name. I am very familiar with the name after travelling through Turkey, Iran etc in the 70s but more than knowing about his extensive empire my knowledge is sadly lacking.
Fun60
Even if we know a great deal about British, French, German and Italian history, and understand it thoroughly, we may not have any knowledge or understanding of the Ottoman Empire or its Islamic colonies. Joe and I toured around Turkey very slowly and loved it, but I doubt if I'd have known Sultan Süleyman if we shared a coffee table together.
Thus the avid reading now :)
The profile photo of Suleyman by Titan, is impressive!
It appears, Suleyman was a successful ruler expanding and managing his vast empire with considerable pragmatism. After his rule, there came the decline of Otoman Power.
As a patron of the arts , his contribution to works of art (poetry, ceramics, architecture...) seems to be quite significant!
DUTA
Titan's portrait probably didn't exaggerate Sultan Suleyman's impressiveness. It is true that Selim really did start the growth of the Ottoman Empire, but Suleyman expanded and consolidated the Empire beyond what anyone had imagined.
That he could edit and consolidate the nation's law books in a professional way was totally unexpected (for me). That he could patronise great projects in architecture and the arts was not unexpected, but it was hugely important in Ottoman culture. What a man!
Boa tarde de segunda-feira e obrigado pela visita.
Excelente matéria minha querida amiga.
Luiz Gomes
I've heard the name Suleyman, but I knew nothing about him. Therefore this was a really interesting read. I hope now when children study history in school it's a little more world oriented and not just Eurocentric and American which is all I learned.
Luiz
it was an amazing empire, wasn't it?
Erika
that reminds me of another historical area of ignorance. After 1952, when the Australian Government started giving assisted passage to many Greeks, my city of Melbourne had more Greek citizens than any place on earth except for Athens and Salonika. I realise the Greek war of independence (1821) finally led to Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire, but surely Melbourne children should have learned Greek history at school.
Wow what a man . And what a turban . Thanks for this I had very little knowledge of him although I had read about his love affair with his wife who apparently was quite "low born" and probably a captive made by the army as it invaded I think somewhere around the Balkans . I may be wrong about this its a long time ago .
mem
that is so true for all of us! We only read journal articles, wrote essays and sat for exams on the areas that we HAD to know about. And since for some of us, the 1960s focused on European and British Empire history, certainly not Sultan Suleyman and his allies/enemies. My eyes ignore blog topics that aren't interesting, but I was rapt in learning about Suleyman
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