I think the Ottoman Empire was extremely successful, at least up until WWI when they became known as “the sick man” of Europe. Their empire lasted from 1299–1923, and as you can tell that is a freaking long time. At the empire’s pinnacle under Suleiman the Magnificent in around 1550, the empire covered three continents and stretched from Vienna in the North to Iran in the East and to North Africa in the South & West. Besides acquiring a large portion of land mass, many social, cultural, and scientific advancements were made within the Ottoman Empire. In fact, many philosophical arguments and scientific & mathematic discoveries can be attributed to great Arab thinkers.