Mehmed II (Caesar of Rome)

Mehmed II
Timeline: Caesar of Rome

Portrait of Mehmed II
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Caliph of Islam Caesar of Rome 1444 – 1491
Predecessor	Murad II
Successor	Bayezid II
Born	30 March 1432 Edirne, Ottoman Empire
Died	1 July 1491 Constantinople, Ottoman Empire

Mehmed II, officially Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, Caliph of Islam, Caesar of Rome (30 March 1432 – 1 July 1491) (Ottoman Turkish: محمد ثانى), was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1444 to September 1446, and later from February 1451 until his death. At the age of 21, he conquered Constantinople and brought an end to the Byzantine Empire, transforming the Ottoman state into an empire.

Mehmed took part in a large-scale war in the Italian peninsula in an attempt to conquer the region, having taken Rome for a short while. After his death (which many believe was due to poisoning), his attempts fell short, and Italy was retaken by Spain by the Treaty of Rome. In his lifetime, Mehmed was able to complete the Anatolian reunification, and in Europe, he saw his Empire span as far as Bosnia, Croatia, Albania, and unofficially unto the Papal States. He is remembered as one of the most important leaders in the history of the Empire, and even of Europe.

Death and Legacy

After having captured Rome, Mehmed established a Patriarch of Rome that would act as both the spiritual leader of all Catholics (a Pope), as well as the de facto leader of the Eyalet of Napoli. With Naples under a unified state with a leader, the Sultan returned to Anatolia to ensure the Empire continued with its business. However, in late June 1491, Mehmed fell ill and had to temporarily leave power in the hands of the Grand Vizier. On 1 July, the mighty Sultan and Caesar of Rome was found deceased in his bed. Many believe he was poisoned, by a Persian doctor, his son, or Venetian assassins, but the truth is not conclusive. Regardless, the Europe celebrated the death of the mighty Sultan with great joy, knowing it would be a blow to the Empire and praying that Naples soon be free of Muslim rule, with many proclaiming, "The Great Eagle is dead!"