Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire
Jason Goodwin
Not a biography alone, but the best short introduction to the empire at Suleiman's zenith.
Suleiman the Magnificent
- Life
- 1494–1566
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Henry VIII of England
England
1520–1547
Jiajing Emperor of Ming
China
1521–1566
Akbar
Mughal Empire
1556–1566
Humayun
Mughal Empire
1531–1540
Elizabeth I of England
England
1558–1566
Charles V
Spain
1520–1556
Mary I
England
1553–1558
Charles V
Holy Roman Empire
1520–1556
Babur
Mughal Empire
1526–1531
John III of Portugal
Portugal
1521–1557
Francis I of France
France
1520–1547
Gustav I of Sweden
Sweden
1523–1560
Emperor Go-Nara
Japan
1526–1557
Mary, Queen of Scots
Scotland
1542–1566
Ashikaga Yoshiharu
Japan (Shogunate)
1522–1547
James V of Scotland
Scotland
1520–1542
Henry II of France
France
1547–1559
Ashikaga Yoshiteru
Japan (Shogunate)
1547–1565
Philip II of Spain
Spain
1556–1566
Pope Paul III
Papacy
1534–1549
Charles IX of France
France
1560–1566
Edward VI of England
England
1547–1553
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1556–1564
Pope Clement VII
Papacy
1523–1534
Emperor Ōgimachi
Japan
1557–1566
Sebastian, King of Portugal
Portugal
1557–1566
Emperor Go-Kashiwabara
Japan
1520–1526
Pope Pius IV
Papacy
1560–1565
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1564–1566
Pope Julius III
Papacy
1550–1555
Pope Paul IV
Papacy
1555–1559
Erik XIV
Sweden
1560–1566
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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Further Reading
Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Suleiman the Magnificent's life and times.
Suleiman the Magnificent
André Clot
A thorough European-language biography of the lawgiver who faced Charles V and the Safavids.
Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300–1923
Caroline Finkel
The modern standard history, Suleiman's reign sits at the empire's golden midpoint.
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