A magnificent century - the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent

The history of Turkey, however, like the history of any other country, is incredibly interesting. Each of its rulers distinguished themselves by any achievements, thanks to which promptly burst into history and stayed in it forever.

Whom to ask - a historian or ordinary passer-by - about the most powerful Turkish sultan, all as one will answer that this is none other than Sultan Suleiman. It was the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent that led the country to the greatest success, as he safely increased the territory of his subordination. During the period of his rule, he drafted bills, due to which he received the title of Qanooni, which means "legislator".

The Suleiman family

Suleiman's father was Selim the Terrible, famous for his cruelty and fratricide. During his reign, there was a law on the murder of all brothers to those who received the throne. This was a prerequisite for avoiding civil wars in the country . Sultan Selim at that time rebelled not only against his brothers, but also his father and uncles, eradicating all who could pozaritsya on his throne. Suleiman's mother was Aisha Sultan Hafsa, who was not one of Selim's concubines, but the daughter of the Crimean Khan. He did not have any brothers, but there were four sisters.

The history of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent

After the death of his father, he received the throne in 1520, being governor in Manisa. At that time he was twenty-five years old, he was a young, tall and strong man. Having received a good education, he was well acquainted with history, geography, astronomy, theology, literature, studying foreign languages, military tactics and jewelry art. After the death of Selim I, a reliable large army passed into the hands of his son. Partly thanks to her the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent reached its highest peak.

The first decree was the liberation of Egyptian captives, who were imprisoned by his father. With this noble decision, he instantly received universal appreciation not only in Turkey, but also in Europe. Nobody expected that he would so successfully start conquering foreign lands: the island of Rhodes, part of Hungary and Tripoli, some territory of Transcaucasia and Algeria, Mesopotamia and Arabia. He spent most of his life in military campaigns, where he died.

As you know, the rule of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent became known not only for his military achievements, but also for the love of the Slavic girl Anastasia (according to some sources her name is Alexandra). In his harem there were hundreds of concubines, four of them gave birth to his sons, but only one became a legal wife, which at that time was unthinkable.

Sons from the first two wives died as a child. The son of the third wife, Mahiderekran Mustafa, walked long in the footsteps of his father, but, turning the wrong path, was executed by order of his father.

Fourth wife, Hurrem, became the only woman in Suleiman's life. They say that it was thanks to her that the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent reached such heights. She bore him one daughter and five sons. Abdullah died in infancy, Mehmet died of smallpox at the age of 22, the youngest Cihangir died of longing for his brother Mustafa after his execution. Bayazid was executed for treason, and the throne was taken by Selim, the fourth child of Suleiman and Hurrem. The daughter of Michrimach became the pride of the dynasty. Being an intelligent woman, she helped rule the father after the death of her mother and brother Selim throughout his reign.

The years of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent's reign have gone down in history as the Magnificent Age. It was during this period that the Ottoman Empire reached its highest levels, all thanks to a wise and just ruler.