CHAPTER IX.

RISE AND DECLINE OF OTTOMAN POWER.

Capture of Constantinople--Victories of Mohammed II--The Sultans Assume the Caliphate--Reign of Suleiman the Magnificent--Attack upon Venice--Constant Strife over the Danubian Principalities--Internal Disorganization--Weak Sultans and Powerful Viziers--Alliances with Foreign Powers--Repeated Disasters--Weak Rule in Asia--Revolt in Egypt and Syria--Condition at Commencement of present century 164