Mehmet

Mehmet the II was known in Europe for the style of the painting shown above. He wanted to “Attract” Europeans to Ottoman culture. He was educated by famous scholar Aksemseddin. Mehmet spoke seven languages fluently. His goal was to influence the trends in Europe and everywhere. He invited famous painter Gentile Bellini from Europe. This picture would be replaced and admired all over Europe. He had interests in philosophy, science, literature architecture. He took the name “conqueror” (fatih) after the conquest of Constantenople (Istanbul). He was building a nation that would “lead” innovation. New Roman Empire.

Mehmet Rules in the 16^th through the 17^th century, the Golden age of the empire. Ottoman Empire began in 1299 and ended in 1921. Their rule of 800 years reveals how empires rise and fall. The ottomans developed the millet system each religious group was organized into a “millet”. Each millet elected its own religious figure to lead them. “Millet comes from the Arabic word for “nation”, indicating that the Ottomans considered themselves the protectors of multiple nations. The leaders of the millets were allowed to practice their religions, tax their followers, and even institute their own law. Islamic law (Shariah) only had jurisdiction over Muslims in the Ottoman Empire. It was assessed at three rates, for the wealthy, those of medium status, and the poor. The rates were four, two, and one gold pieces respectively. Ottoman practice in 16th-century Palestine, as recorded by the registers, differs from this in two important respects. Furthermore, the Jizye was levied from households not individuals.

Mehmet