Ottoman State was founded in 1299 in Anatolia. In 1453, Ottomans have ended the Byzantine rule in Anatolia and Constantinopole (Istanbul). The city was turned into the capital of the powerful Ottoman Empire (see map).

By the 16th century, Ottoman Empire was very strong and ruled Anatolia, Northern Africa, East Mediterranean Sea and west of Istanbul. Yet, Suleyman, the Lawmaker, was pushing onto the Austrian-Hungarian lands.