From the 15th-16th century the Ottoman Empire was at its peak. Its realm streched from North Africa to Egypt to the Arabian Peninsula. Its holdings included the Levant, Mesopotamia, the Caucasus, the Crimea, and the Balkans all the way to the gates of Vienna. It was by far the largest empire in its time, and it was ahead of its competition in terms of science, production, military and culture. Yet a few centuries later this once mighty empire became the Sick Man of Europe.