Suleiman I
Suleiman I, or Suleyman I, (1496?–1566), a sultan of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire. He was called “the Magnificent” by Europeans because during his reign the empire reached the height of its power and prestige. To his own people Suleiman was known as “the Lawgiver” because he reformed and codified Ottoman law. His influence was felt from western Europe to Central Asia. Under Suleiman, Turkish armies were among the best in the world, and the Turkish fleet ruled the Mediterranean.
Suleiman succeeded his father, Selim I, in 1520 and set about expanding the empire. His troops captured Belgrade (in present Yugoslavia) in 1521 and regularly raided Hungary and Austria during the next few years. He aroused widespread fear in Europe when he besieged Vienna in 1529, but his forces were repulsed and he shortly withdrew. Later he captured territory in Persia and conquered most of North Africa.