The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II led an army to Constantinople in the spring of 1453 to siege the city. After a month, the Ottomans were successful in sacking the city, and destroying the Eastern Romany (or Byzantine) Empire. The effect of this sack was massive, allowing the Ottoman armies free reign into Europe, giving the Ottomans control of the Bosphorus Strait and the Black Sea, sending Greek scholars into exile, and generally worsening relations between Christian Europe and Islamic governments in the Middle East.

The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II led an army to Constantinople in the spring of 1453 to siege the city. After a month, the Ottomans were successful in sacking the city, and destroying the Eastern Romany (or Byzantine) Empire. The effect of this sack was massive, allowing the Ottoman armies free reign into Europe, giving the Ottomans control of the Bosphorus Strait and the Black Sea, sending Greek scholars into exile, and generally worsening relations between Christian Europe and Islamic governments in the Middle East.

In the third century CE, the Roman Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman Empire into a Western Empire, centered around Rome, and an Eastern Empire, centered around Byzantium (later Constantinople, later still Istanbul). While the Western Roman Empire succumbed to barbarian invasion within two centuries, the Eastern Roman Empire continued until the fifteenth century when it was finally overcome by the Ottomans.

In the third century CE, the Roman Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman Empire into a Western Empire, centered around Rome, and an Eastern Empire, centered around Byzantium (later Constantinople, later still Istanbul). While the Western Roman Empire succumbed to barbarian invasion within two centuries, the Eastern Roman Empire continued until the fifteenth century when it was finally overcome by the Ottomans.

The Holy Land and Jerusalem, captured in the First Crusade, were conquered by the Islamic forces of Saladin in 1187 CE. This led directly to the Third Crusade, waged from 1189 to 1192 CE, which did not result in the European forces retaking Jerusalem; however, it did lead Saladin to open the city of Jerusalem to protected Christian pilgrimage.

The Holy Land and Jerusalem, captured in the First Crusade, were conquered by the Islamic forces of Saladin in 1187 CE. This led directly to the Third Crusade, waged from 1189 to 1192 CE, which did not result in the European forces retaking Jerusalem; however, it did lead Saladin to open the city of Jerusalem to protected Christian pilgrimage.

After the death of the prophet Muhammad, the forces of Islam expanded dramatically across North Africa and the Middle East. By 732 CE, they had crossed into mainland Europe and controlled much of modern-day Spain and southern France. At the Battle of Tours, they were defeated by the Frankish forces led by Charles Martel (often called Charles the Hammer). This is often considered a turning point in world history as the forces of Islam would never again penetrate so far into Europe.

After the death of the prophet Muhammad, the forces of Islam expanded dramatically across North Africa and the Middle East. By 732 CE, they had crossed into mainland Europe and controlled much of modern-day Spain and southern France. At the Battle of Tours, they were defeated by the Frankish forces led by Charles Martel (often called Charles the Hammer). This is often considered a turning point in world history as the forces of Islam would never again penetrate so far into Europe.

Suleiman the Magnificent is one of the most famous rulers of the Ottoman Empire. He came to power in the early sixteenth century and is famous for his conquest of many Christian strongholds in Southern Europe, such as Belgrade, Budapest, and Rhodes.

Suleiman the Magnificent is one of the most famous rulers of the Ottoman Empire. He came to power in the early sixteenth century and is famous for his conquest of many Christian strongholds in Southern Europe, such as Belgrade, Budapest, and Rhodes.