The Auspicious Beginning of the Ottoman Empire

By Sultanzade Maximilian Ali Beyefendi
Attended: University of Exeter, BA Business & Economics
Age: 24 years old

I am so proud of my mother, Ayşe Osmanoğlu, for establishing this initiative for young people like me to share our passion and love for history, and I hope it is something that takes off and engages people who have a wide variety of interests. When she asked me to write the first article for the Young Ottoman Scholars Society, I naturally felt honoured, but also a little unsure of what specific topic to write about.

My mother then mentioned that July 27th was an extremely auspicious date in Ottoman history, and left me to investigate why that was. After some internet searching and a lot of reading I discovered why! On the anniversary of this hugely significant date in history, I really hope you enjoy reading this short article that poignantly starts right at the beginning…

Historical Context

The late 13th century was a time of great turmoil and upheaval in Anatolia.

The once-powerful Byzantine Empire was crumbling, providing fertile ground for ambitious leaders like Osman Gazi to carve out new states. Born in 1258, Osman Gazi was the leader of the Kayı tribe, a branch of the Oghuz Turks who had settled in northwestern Anatolia. His leadership marked the transition from a small tribal beylik to a burgeoning mighty empire.

Capture of Bapheum Castle on July 27 1299

On July 27, 1299, a date heralded by many historians as the beginning of the Ottoman Empire, the world witnessed a pivotal moment that would shape centuries of history. This date marks the first concerted attack made by Gazi Sultan Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman dynasty, on the Byzantine Empire. The battle focussed on capturing the Castle of Bapheum on the plains outside Nicomedia (present day Izmit) and is considered the first strategic assault that signalled the beginning of Ottoman dominance in the region.

Historical & Meteorological Evidence

Despite some ambiguity and debate among scholars about this precise date, research has provided compelling evidence to support the fact that this momentous battle did in fact take place on 27^th July in 1299. This is corroborated by both historic and meteorological evidence, although unfortunately no contemporary Ottoman accounts have survived if indeed they ever existed.

However, the account of Osman Gazi’s invasion into Nicomedia is well-documented in the works of Pachymeres, a contemporary Greek historian. Pachymeres, who lived from 1242 to 1310, was a notable Byzantine scholar and official, providing a credible and first-hand perspective on the events of that time. His chronicles have been carefully examined and verified, and describe the invasion with precise detail. 

According to Pachymeres, on July 27, 1299, Osman Gazi, leading a formidable force, launched a sudden attack on Bapheum Castle on the Nicomedia plains. His account, translated from Greek and Latin, states: 

“On the twenty-sev­enth day of the month of July around Bapheum (this place was the well-known Nicomedia), Othman, with his army full of many thousands in number, unex­pectedly appearing, and suddenly attacking ….. after the river Sangarius had left its bed for the third time, thereby destroying the protective moat around the castle, and leaving the garrison of Muzalo exposed to the assault.”

The Latin translator of Pachymeres’ chronicles, Fossinus, says:

“Othman increased in power when a very strong force of the fiercest warriors from Paphlagonia had been joined to his army, and, in a battle near Nicomedia, the me­tropolis of Bithynia, he subdued Muzalo the Roman leader who had attempted to re­sist, which [city] he, as lord of the field, then held as a city be­sieged. Pachymeres plainly reports that these things happened around Bapheum near Nicomedia on the twenty-seventh day of the month of July: from a series of things in the Synop­sis, we truly affirm in like manner that this was the year 1299 of the Christian Era.” 

The year 1299 is well-documented as having extreme weather conditions that contributed to the success of Osman Gazi’s campaign. The winter of 1299 was recorded as one of the harshest on record, with snow piling up above doors and paths having to be marked by stakes and poles. Rivers remained frozen with thick ice well into February, damaging planted fields and seeds. The summer saw great floods as a result of the severe weather conditions earlier that year, brought about by unprecedented heavy rains and melting snow, which caused the river in Bapheum to overflow multiple times. This natural disaster played a crucial role in the success of Osman Gazi’s attack, as it rendered the castle’s defensive structures ineffective. The moat filled with silt and sand making the castle vulnerable to attack, and enabling the Ottoman forces to cross it easily.

Establishment of The Ottoman State

Osman Gazi’s actions during this period went beyond military conquests and encroachment into Byzantine territory. According to Sir Edward Creasy in his History of the Ottoman Empire, it was at this time that he assumed the prerogatives of a ruler. He began to coin money bearing his image and ordered public prayers in his name, both acts symbolising sovereignty and independence. These acts were crucial in establishing the legitimacy and authority of his leadership, setting the foundation for the Ottoman state and symbolising the birth of a dynasty that would endure for over six centuries and which would leave an indelible mark on the world. 

Conclusion

As we commemorate the anniversary of this auspicious date today, I invite you to reflect on the remarkable journey of the Ottoman State from its humble beginnings to a formidable global power. Understanding the historical context and significance of Osman Gazi’s attack on Bapheum Castle on the plains of Nicomedia provides valuable insights into the early stages of the rise of the Ottoman Empire. This event, accurately dated to July 27, 1299, underscores the strategic and opportunistic nature of Sultan Osman I’s early military campaigns and highlights the vulnerabilities of the Byzantine Empire during this period.

As we continue to explore the rich history of the Ottoman Empire at The Young Ottoman Scholars Society, events like the attack on Bapheum Castle remind us of the intricate interplay between divine intervention, natural phenomenons, military strategy, and historical timing that shape the course of history. And reminds me of how incredibly proud I am of my illustrious ancestors…

References

Sir Edward Creasy, History of the Ottoman Empire

Herbert Adam Gibbons, The Foundation of the Ottoman Empire (1300-1403)

Georgius Pachymeres, Corpus Scrip torum His­toriae Byzantinae 

https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1933/02/gibbons-july-27-1299-date-sustained

https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1944/06/a-landmark-of-history

https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1944/07/a-landmark-of-historyjuly-27-1299

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