Final answer:
The Ottoman Empire defeated the Byzantine Empire and gained control over trade routes in the Mediterranean.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ottoman Empire defeated the Byzantine Empire enabling them to control trade routes in the Mediterranean. The Byzantine Empire was weakened by various factors such as internal conflicts, external invasions, and economic decline, which allowed the Ottoman Empire to expand its power and influence in the region. With the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans gained control over major Mediterranean trade routes.
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