Had there been a void in Central Asia then the Ottomans would really struggle to get past Safavid Persia. From the ancient Roman-Parthian wars to Byzantine-Sassanid wars the Ottoman-Safavid conflict was continuation of that geopolitical struggle. read more
o Byzantines: 10,000 soldiers vs. Ottomans: 100,000 soldiers • Byz had over confidence = the walls had never been breached (trespassed)before • 1204 - 4th crusade sacked Constantinople o Not for religious reasons but to help Venice's trade o 4th crusade bankrolled (paid) by Venice and other important Italian city states 3. read more
The Ottoman army was the largest in Europe, its navy ruled the shipping lanes of the eastern Mediterranean, and its capital Istanbul was five times the size of Paris. Its resources seemed limitless, and its capacity to sweep aside opposition in the name of Islam gave the Turkish Empire an awesome presence. read more