The Beginnings of the Ottoman Empire (Oxford Studies in Byzantium)

## Abstract This book illuminates the founding of the Ottoman Empire by drawing on Turkish, Greek, Arabic, and Latin sources, including coins, buildings, and topographic evidence. It describes the rugged homeland of the founder of the Ottomans, particularly his achievement in the context of the once mighty Byzantine Empire and its terminal stages. It also charts the progress of Osman's son Orhan, until the fateful moment in 1354 when his forces crossed into Europe and began their spectacular conquests. The chapter reviews the obscure origins of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled the Near East, dominated the Mediterranean, and terrorized Europe for centuries. It references scholarly monographs and editions on the history, literature, thought, and material culture of the Byzantine world. Cover The Beginnigs of the Ottoman Empire Copyright Dedication Contents List of Maps List of Illustrations Introduction Notes 1: The Homeland of the Ottomans The Sources Ottoman Prehistory (APZ cap. 2) The First Settlement (APZ cap. 2) The Summer Pastures First Battles and Conquests (APZ caps. 3, 5) “1286” First Victory (APZ cap. 5) “1286” (APZ cap. 5) Karacahisar, Sultanönü, and Conflict with Germiyan: “1288–1300” 1292: Köse Mihal of Harmankaya and Raids Across the Sangarius (APZ cap. 10) “1288”: Marriages and Massacre: APZ 11–12 “1299”: Osman Proclaims his Independence: APZ 14–15 Osman’s Timars: APZ 16 “1302”: Defeating a Coalition: APZ 17 Bursa Blockaded: APZ 18 “1304”: Conquest of Malagina: APZ 20 Attacks to the North; First Threats to Nicaeaand Nicomedia; APZ 22 “1326”: Bursa Surrenders: APZ 23 Expeditions East and West: APZ 25–27 Conquest of Izmit: APZ 30 “1331”: Conquest and Settlement of Iznik: APZ 32–33 Rounding off the Conquest of Bithynia: APZ 34 Orhan Acquires Karesi: APZ 35–36 Orhan Completes Acquisition of Karesi, Becomes Padishah: APZ 37 How Reliable a Tradition? Notes 2: The View from Byzantium Notes 3: Reconciling the Accounts Notes 4: Non-Narrative Sources Coins Inscriptions and buildings Documents Notes 5: The Overlords Notes 6: Osman and his Neighbors Osman Germiyan Osman and Germiyan Kastamonu Four Minor States An Anomalous City Karesi Saruhan Aydın Menteşe The Mongols A Bright Future for Some APPENDIX The Date of the Death of Osman Notes 7: Western Asia Minor in the 1330s Menteşe Western Inscriptions Coins Aydın Western Sources Coins Inscriptions Umur Bey Philadelphia Saruhan Karesi Western Coins Germiyan Western Coins Ottoman Göynük Hisar Gerede Sultanönü “Qawiya” Kastamonu The Mongols The Turcoman Emirates Notes 8: The Aftermath The Turning Points Philadelphia Saruhan Karesi Germiyan Ottoman Kastamonu The Mongols Notes 9: Final Thoughts Notes Bibliography Sources Secondary works Index "The Ottoman Empire ruled the near East, dominated the Mediterranean, and terrorized Europe for centuries. However, its origins are obscure. The Beginnings of the Ottoman Empire illuminates the founding of the Empire, drawing on Turkish, Greek, Arabic, and Latin sources as well as coins, buildings, and topographic evidence. Clive Foss takes the reader through the rugged homeland of Osman, the founder of the Ottomans, placing his achievement in the context of his more powerful neighbours, most notably the once mighty Byzantine Empire, then in the terminal stages of its decline. Foss then charts the progress of Osman's son Orhan, until the fateful moment in 1354 when his forces crossed into Europe and began their spectacular conquests."-- Back jacket cover Providing a detailed history of the establishment and early growth of the Ottoman Empire, Foss relates the military, economic, and cultural developments of the time to the political and physical geography of the Ottoman homeland, and especially its relations to the declining Byzantine Empire