1566

Events in 1566 7

• 1453 – 1566 The Golden Age (1453–1566) The Ottoman golden age spans from the conquest of Constantinople to the death of Suleiman the Magnificent -- 113 years in which the empire reaches its maximum extent and cultural zenith. Mehmed II consolidates the Balkans and Anatolia. Selim I (1512-1520) doubles the empire's size in eight years, conquering Persia, Egypt and Syria and assuming the caliphate. Suleiman I (1520-1566) campaigns from Vienna to the Persian Gulf, builds the greatest legal and architectural programme in Ottoman history, and presides over a court of extraordinary sophistication. At his death the empire controls more territory than any state since Rome.
• 1481 – 1566 Antonio de Cabezón Spanish Renaissance keyboard composer Antonio de Cabezón was the greatest Spanish keyboard composer of the Renaissance. Despite being blind from birth, he served as court musician to Philip II and composed sophisticated tientos and variations.
• 1520 – 1566 Suleiman the Magnificent -- the apex Suleiman I (1520-1566) is the longest-reigning and most celebrated Ottoman sultan. He campaigns personally on thirteen major military expeditions, capturing Belgrade (1521), Rhodes (1522), defeating Hungary at Mohács (1526), besieging Vienna (1529) and campaigning repeatedly against Persia. He codifies Ottoman law so comprehensively that his own subjects call him Kanuni (the Lawgiver). His chief architect Sinan builds over 300 structures including the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul and the Selimiye in Edirne. His court -- dominated by his wife Roxelana and his grand vizier Ibrahim Pasha -- is one of the most sophisticated in the world.
• 1566 Landa writes his account Spain Recalled to Spain to answer for his cruelty, Landa wrote a description of Maya life that included a garbled glyph alphabet. It became, four centuries later, the key that let the script be read.
• 1566 – 1839 Wars & Stagnation (1566–1839) The period from Suleiman's death to the Tanzimat reforms spans 273 years of gradual but accelerating decline punctuated by moments of recovery. The failed siege of Vienna (1683) marks the definitive end of Ottoman expansion in Europe; the Treaty of Karlowitz (1699) begins the long territorial retreat. Russia emerges as the empire's most dangerous enemy, fighting six wars and pushing the Ottoman frontier steadily south. The Janissaries -- once the empire's elite force -- become a conservative political force that murders reforming sultans. The empire earns its 19th-century epithet: 'the sick man of Europe.'
• 1566 – 1613 Carlo Gesualdo Italian Renaissance composer Carlo Gesualdo was an Italian prince and composer notorious for his intensely chromatic madrigals and his personal life. His harmonic language was far ahead of his time.
• 1566 – 1632 Sigismund King of Sweden and Poland The Catholic son of John III who tried to rule both Sweden and Poland. His religion led to a civil war in Sweden.