The drawn-out demise of the Holy Roman Empire, the sickening of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Prussia laid the basis for the century ahead.

• 历史的长河中先后出现了神圣罗马帝国持续过久的灭亡、奥特曼帝国的病入膏肓与普鲁士的崛起，这些都为新世纪的到来打下坚实的基础。