The Last Muslim Conquest: The Ottoman Empire and Its Wars in Europe

Gábor Ágoston

Princeton University Press, Jun 22, 2021 - History - 688 pages

A monumental work of history that reveals the Ottoman dynasty's important role in the emergence of early modern Europe

The Ottomans have long been viewed as despots who conquered through sheer military might, and whose dynasty was peripheral to those of Europe. The Last Muslim Conquest transforms our understanding of the Ottoman Empire, showing how Ottoman statecraft was far more pragmatic and sophisticated than previously acknowledged, and how the Ottoman dynasty was a crucial player in the power struggles of early modern Europe.

In this panoramic and multifaceted book, Gábor Ágoston captures the grand sweep of Ottoman history, from the dynasty's stunning rise to power at the turn of the fourteenth century to the Siege of Vienna in 1683, which ended Ottoman incursions into central Europe. He discusses how the Ottoman wars of conquest gave rise to the imperial rivalry with the Habsburgs, and brings vividly to life the intrigues of sultans, kings, popes, and spies. Ágoston examines the subtler methods of Ottoman conquest, such as dynastic marriages and the incorporation of conquered peoples into the Ottoman administration, and argues that while the Ottoman Empire was shaped by Turkish, Iranian, and Islamic influences, it was also an integral part of Europe and was, in many ways, a European empire.

Rich in narrative detail, The Last Muslim Conquest looks at Ottoman military capabilities, frontier management, law, diplomacy, and intelligence, offering new perspectives on the gradual shift in power between the Ottomans and their European rivals and reframing the old story of Ottoman decline.

Contents

• Prologue: 1
• The Early Ottomans: 17
• Defeat and Recovery: 35
• Conquests: 103
• Ottoman Threat and Dynastic Rivalry in Central Europe: 112
• Akkoyunlus and Safavids: 119
• The Conquest of the Mamluk Sultanate: 129
• European Reactions and Ottoman Naval Preparations: 138
• Changing Balance of Power along the Danube: 144
• Süleyman in Hungary: 151
• Overreach: 229
• Resources and Military Power: 265
• Military Transformations: 306
• Lawfare and Diplomacy: 334
• Embassies Dragomans and Intelligence: 365
• Embassy Dragomans and Intelligence: 375
• The Portes Dragomans and Intelligence: 383
• Agents of Many Masters: 389
• Intelligence on the Frontiers: 395
• Borders and Border Provinces: 407
• Contested Bulwark of Islam: 430
• Wars of Exhaustion: 460
• Epilogue: 511
• Acknowledgments: 519
• Chronology: 525
• Glossary of Terms: 533
• Notes: 541
• Bibliography: 597

About the author

Gábor Ágoston is professor of history at Georgetown University. His many books include Guns for the Sultan: Military Power and the Weapons Industry in the Ottoman Empire and Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Last Muslim Conquest: The Ottoman Empire and Its Wars in Europe
• Author: Gábor Ágoston
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2021
• ISBN: 0691159327, 9780691159324
• Length: 688 pages
• Subjects: History / Europe / Austria & Hungary; History / Europe / General; History / Middle East / Turkey & Ottoman Empire; History / Wars & Conflicts / General