Rise of the Ottomans

Announced by the University of Pittsburgh
*Note that this event is in GMT time zone*

The Ottoman Empire, though centered in the Middle East and southeastern Europe, had a significant global impact that extended far beyond its heartlands. With their origins in central Anatolia, the Ottomans extended their rule across much of North Africa, including Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, where they influenced local governance, trade routes, and, eventually, resistance to European colonialism. Their expansion into Europe shaped European politics for centuries and prompted major political alliances.

Their control of the Silk Road, Mediterranean trade, coffee, and gunpowder also made them a main economic player in world history.

In addition to political events, the Ottomans greatly influenced the daily social, religious, and spiritual experiences of the areas they controlled. Their long tradition of scholarship, art, and architecture contributed to Islamic civilization and shaped many Muslim landscapes as we know them today.

Join Dr. Ahmad Khan as he speaks about the global impact that the Ottomans had, not just through its sultans, but important Ottoman women, bureaucrats, and global travelers like Katib Celebi, who was a remarkable polymath and bibliophile. His life and legacy are emblematic of the social, political, and intellectual richness of the Ottomans.