Sultan Mehmed II

Sultan Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, was the Ottoman ruler who reigned from 1444 to 1446 and again from 1451 to 1481. He is best known for conquering Constantinople in 1453, effectively ending the Byzantine Empire and marking a significant turning point in history. His victory established the Ottoman Empire as a dominant power in Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean. Mehmed II promoted culture, arts, and architecture, and is credited with modernizing the Ottoman state. His reign is often viewed as a golden age for the empire, setting the stage for its further expansion.