Mehmed II

Mehmed the Conqueror expanded the Ottoman Empire, leading the siege of Constantinople in 1453 and extending the empire’s reach into the Balkans. This westward expansion across the heart of the former Eastern Roman Empire led him to declare himself Kayser-i Rum (Roman Caesar).

Mehmed II acceded to the throne twice. In the first instance, at age 12, his father, Murad II, abdicated in his favour in accordance with a peace treaty. When the treaty was broken, the grand vizier and the Janissaries restored Murad to the throne. Mehmed ascended the throne again when his father died in 1451.

Mehmed II had many ambitious goals, though they were only partially achieved in his lifetime. He aspired to extend the empire as far westward as Italy, sought to restore Constantinople as a great capital, and set out to unify law and order throughout the empire. These latter two goals were completed under Süleyman the Magnificent.

Mehmed the Conqueror captured Constantinople and extended the Ottoman Empire into western Anatolia and the Balkans, which later became the heartland of the empire. His expansion cost the empire greatly, however, which led to discontent. His son and successor, Bayezid II, had to earn back the support of the unhappy court officials and Janissaries.