Terrifying plague kills millions Chinese oust Mongol rulers Ottomans carve out a new empire The sternpost rudder, a new device for steering ships, is adopted Violence in Japan threatens stability Tatar leader Timur controls much of Asia African emperor's travels bring glory to Mali

3. Ottomans carve out a new empire The Ottomans emerged as the new military leaders of the Islamic world during the 1300's. Since defeating a Byzantine army at the opening of the century and capturing the Anatolian city of Bursa in 1326, these tribal warriors have made significant advances into Europe. Bulgaria, conquered in 1396, is a major European addition to the Ottomans' territory. View from Today