Ottoman Empire: Culture and Conquest

This chapter explores the intricate social dynamics and cultural diversity within the Ottoman Empire, focusing on the Topkapi Palace and its eclectic inhabitants. It highlights the historical significance of the fall of Constantinople in 1453 under Mehmed II, detailing the military innovations and immediate transformations, such as the conversion of Hagia Sophia from a church to a mosque. The narrative also draws parallels between the Ottoman expansion under Suleiman the Magnificent and contemporaneous events in the New World, framing the broader tension between Islamic and Christian empires.