"The conquest of Cyprus was the last great exploit which ever added materially to the dominions of the Porte; the battle of Lepanto was the final blow which destroyed its naval superiority. The days of greatness had gone by. The kingdoms of the West were developing their strength, and had learnt the policy of union and of peace among themselves. Their armies had acquired the discipline and had learnt the lessons in which the Ottomans had shown so formidable an example; and their navy rode triumphant on the seas. The Empire, no longer in the hands of Charles V., with foreign interests to absorb its power, could bestow an undivided strength upon its own affairs; and the Emperor Ferdinand was looking forward with some hope to an incorporation of Hungary, which should end the weakness, and ensure the safety, of his eastern frontier. As the pre-eminence of the Porte, however, and the dread of it declined, a wider intercourse for her with Europe began. … Slowly the Sultans were beginning to take part in the schemes and combinations of the Christian Powers, from which they had hitherto so contemptuously stood aloof. Five reigns succeeded to that of Selim [the Sot, son of Solyman the Magnificent]. during which the progress of decline continued marked. {3142} The indolence of Amurath III. [1574-1595], the incapacity of Mahomet III. [1595-1603], the inexperience of Achmet I. [1603-1617], the imprudence of Othman II. [1618-1622], and the imbecility of Mustapha [1617-1618, and 1622-1623], contributed to bring the Ottoman Empire into a condition of anarchy and weakness. During the reign of Amurath hostilities with Austria were renewed, and successive losses testified to the enfeebled state of the Ottoman arms." _C. F. Johnstone, Historical Abstracts, chapter 3._ TURKS: A. D. 1591-1606. Wars in Hungary and Croatia. Great victory at Cerestes. Peace of Sitvatorok. See HUNGARY: A. D. 1567-1604; and 1595-1606. TURKS: A. D. 1621-1622. War with Poland. Victory at Cecora and defeat at Choczim. See POLAND: A. D. 1590-1648. TURKS: A. D. 1623-1640. War with Persia. Siege and capture of Bagdad. Horrible massacre of the inhabitants.