How did the Ottomans interact with other major powers, such as the Byzantine Empire and the Safavid Empire?

The Ottoman Empire, founded in 1299, was one of the most powerful empires in history. Throughout its existence, the Ottomans interacted with many major powers, including the Byzantine Empire and the Safavid Empire.

During the early years of the Ottoman Empire, the Byzantine Empire was its main rival. The Ottomans launched many attacks on Byzantine territories, and eventually conquered Constantinople in 1453, putting an end to the Byzantine Empire. However, the Ottomans also adopted many aspects of Byzantine culture and governance, and Byzantine scholars and artists played an important role in the Ottoman court.

The Ottomans also had a complex relationship with the Safavid Empire, which was founded in 1501 in what is now Iran. The two empires were often at war, with conflicts over territory and religious differences. The Safavids were Shiite Muslims, while the Ottomans were Sunni Muslims, and the two empires often saw each other as heretics. However, the Ottomans and the Safavids also had diplomatic relations, and there were periods of peace and trade between the two empires.