Ottoman Empire

Definition: The Ottoman Empire ruled much of the middle and near east beginning in the 15th century AD and continuing into the 20th century. The roots of the Ottoman empire can be found in Anatolia around the 11th century AD. In 1453, the rulers of the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople; and by 1517, the Mamluk Empire had fallen, ceding what is now Syria and Egypt. But the empire reached its greatest breadth across Asia and Europe under Sultan Suleiyman (1520-1566), called "The Lawmaker" in Islamic history and "The Magnificent" in Europe. Suleiyman controlled everything between Yemen in North Africa and Vienna, Austria.

The traditional view of the Ottoman Empire after Suleiyman is that of centuries of slow decay and decline, a view which is currently being revised by scholars such as archaeologists Uzi Baram and Neil Silberman, and historian Suraiya Faroqhi. They argue that for at least four centuries, the Ottomans continued to rule and influence culture, religion, and science in the middle east, particularly Palestine.

Source

Baram, Uzi 2002 The Development of Historical Archaeology in Israel: An Overview and Prospects. Historical Archaeology 36(4):12-29.

This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.