The Ottoman Empire: A Timeline of Its Rise and Fall

The Ottoman Empire rose in the early 1400s and lasted until the beginning of World War I in 1914, making it one of the longest-lived empires. It was founded by Osman I, and over time grew to cover most of the Middle East, Northern Africa, Eastern Europe, and Western Asia. At its height, it covered about 20 million square miles of land and included a population of around 40 million people from numerous ethnic groups and cultures. Early Years (1299–1453) The Ottoman Empire was founded in 1299 by Osman I, a leader of the Turkish tribal group known as the Oghuz Turks. The early years of the empire were marked by military expansion into Europe and Asia. In the 15th century , under the rule of Sultan Mehmed II, the Ottomans achieved their greatest territorial expansion, culminating in the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. However, after this victory, the Ottomans faced continuous challenges to their existence that would shape their future for centuries to come. Following Mehmed’s death ...