Selim I

Selim I, nicknamed Yavuz (traditionally translated as "grim," but closer to "stern" or "implacable" in meaning) (October 10, 1465/1466/1470 – September 22, 1520), is the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1512 to 1520.

His reign is notable for the enormous expansion of the Empire, particularly his conquest between 1516 and 1517 of the entire Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, which includes all of Sham, Hejaz, Tihamah, and Egypt itself.

He is also granted the title of "Khâdim ül Haramain ish Sharifain" (Servant of the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina) by the Sharif of Mecca in 1517.

Through conquering and unification of Muslim lands, Selim becomes the defender of the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina, which strengthensthe Ottoman claim to caliphate in the Muslim world.

Selim's expansion into the Middle East representsa sudden change in the expansion policy of the empire, which, before his reign, had mostly been within the Balkans (Southeast Europe) and Anatolia (Asia Minor).

On the eve of his death in 1520, the Ottoman Empire spans almost one billion acres (about four million square kilometers), having tripled in size during Selim's reign.

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