The Ottoman Empire was one of the greatest and most dominant civilizations of the modern world. Their society from the 1500s onward exhibited great characteristics of human creativity, optimism, and artistry. Uniting under a common religion and strong government systems, the Ottomans spread Islamic traditions and culture throughout much of the modern world. Through their military prowess and technological advances they were able to create one of the largest empires which stretched across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and even Europe. The Ottoman Empire was one of the most influential world powers for the two centuries from the 1500s up to the 1700s, although the empire lasted over 700 years, up until the twentieth century. (Ringrose, 2001).
The Ottoman Empire expanded significantly during the 1500s under the great Ottoman rulers Sultan Selim I and his son Sultan Suleiman "the Lawmaker". (Ringrose, 2001) Under the authority of these rulers, the empire reached its greatest expansion in Asia and Europe. These sultans and their predecessors strove to advance the Ottoman culture. They attempted to restore Constantinople to prominence. They built mosques and palaces and constructed buildings based on architectural advances derived from their Byzantine heritage. (Stearns et al., 2004) They encouraged thought and creativity by building schools and hospitals. Thus, the empire was abundant with authors, artists, artisans, and other skilled civilians. .
The sultans established an efficient system of government and laws. Suleiman developed the kanun into a code of laws and rulings independent of the Shari"ah laws derived from the Quran. The sultans of the 1400s created a military system that drafted young boys from Christian families and made them legally the slaves of the sultan. These boys would slowly rise through different ranks while learning literature, farming, and basic administrative and military skills (Ringrose, 2001) As a result, the sultans created a system that recruited trained officials who relied on the government leader for their salaries, prestige, and status.
