Suleiman I, famously known as Kanuni (The Lawgiver) within his empire and Suleiman the Magnificent in the Western world, was the tenth Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He ruled for over four decades, marking the longest reign in Ottoman history, and emerged as one of the most prominent rulers of 16th-century Europe. He led his army in expanding the empire, including conquering Belgrade and the island of Rhodes, both Christian strongholds, as well as much of Hungary. His conflicts with the Safavids resulted in the Ottoman conquest of significant territories in the Middle East. Suleiman also oversaw the dominance of the Ottoman Navy, which controlled the seas from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. While at the height of his empire's political, military, and economic power, Suleiman introduced significant legislative reforms covering education, taxation, society, and criminal law. These reforms harmonized two legal systems: Sharia (religious law) and Kanun (secular sultanic law). A connoisseur of art and architecture, as well as a gifted goldsmith and poet, Suleiman played a pivotal role in advancing the empire's cultural achievements. His reign marked a "Golden Age" for the Ottoman Empire, with significant developments in art, architecture, and literature.