Medieval Glossary

Ottomans

A Turkish dynasty founded by Sultan Osman I. One of numerous clans of Turkish nomads forced into Anatolia by the westward movement of the Mongols. From their base in Bursa (captured in 1324), the Ottomans conquered North Western Anatolia by 1345 forging links with the Byzantine empire, which allowed raiding parties to enter the Balkans. By the 15th century the Ottoman Sultanate had overthrown the entire Byzantine Empire and had expanded throughout the Balkans and even into Hungary.

Related term(s): None
Category: Dynasties and Groups
Added: 09.03.05
Last modified: 05.31.06
Contributor(s): Natalie Kohout, Alan Chanter
Source information: Konstam, Angus. Historical Atlas of the Crusades. New York: Checkmark Books, 2002.

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