Selim II

Profession: Ottoman Sultan

Biography: Selim II was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1566 until his death in 1574. He became sultan only after the deaths of his older brothers Mehmed, Mustafa, and Bayezid.

During Selim's reign, his grand vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha played a major role in running the empire. The Ottomans took control of Cyprus in 1571 but lost an important sea battle at Lepanto that same year against the forces of the Holy League. Selim also tried to conquer Astrakhan in 1569 but this attempt failed.

Selim was known for supporting poets and had a strong interest in literature, writing under the name "Selimi." He was also said to be reclusive, however, and spent a lot of time in the palace instead of on public matters.

Major building projects in his time included the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, designed by the famous architect Mimar Sinan, and work on the Hagia Sophia Mosque where Selim was later buried.

Selim had one wife, Nurbanu Sultan, and seven concubines. They had at least eight sons together, including the next sultan Murad III, as well as four daughters.

Born: May 28, 1524
Birthplace: Constantinople, Ottoman Empire
Star Sign: Gemini

Died: December 15, 1574 (aged 50)
Cause of Death: Head injury after a fall