Early
Ottoman history of Jerusalem begins with Sultan Selim's I defeat of the
Mamluks in Egypt and Syria and his succession to the Caliphate in 1517. Under
his son, Sulayman
(Süleiman) I, the empire achieves its greatest expansion. Süleiman
is regarded as a second King Solomon (he bears the same name). Ruling from
Constantinople (Istanbul), the Ottomans are also the successors to the Byzantian
empire which they had defeated in 1453 (Fall of Constantinople).
Supported by Jews fleeing the Spanish inquisition, Christian Janissaries (military units), and Muslims, the Ottomans, sponsors of art, literature, and architecture, usher in a new Golden Age in the East but their realm soon begins to decline through corruption and external threats to their vast territories.
In Jerusalem, the walls and gates built by Süleiman are still visible today.
Image:
Süleiman the Magnificent
Builder of the Old City Walls.