Osman I

Osman Ghazi is one of those many figures in history whose impact was large but whose life's details are not well known. We are not even certain of his name, though it gave rise to the name of the empire he founded: Ottoman. Scholars think his name was originally Turkish, something like Atman or Ataman, and was Arabicized to 'Osmān later. A contemporary Byzantine historian refers to him as Atouman.

His birthdate is unknown, but a date of 1254/55 was offered by a 16th-century Ottoman historian. He was said to be born in a town called Söğüt, the capital city of his father's emirate. He would have been raised as any Turkish noble's son was raised: learning archery and falconry, horsemanship and sword fighting. He would have been taught about Islam. His father died in 1280, and Osman's uncle succeeded him as head of the clan.

With Söğüt as his base, he started at some point attacking his Byzantine neighbors, but not challenging any of the other Turkish clans. He defeated a Byzantine force of 2000 soldiers c.1301 at the Battle of Bapheus. Following Bapheus, Osman was able to conquer several towns and fortresses, taking control from the Byzantine Empire.

A Byzantine governor sent a message to the Seljuk sultan, complaining about this young Turk who was upsetting the peaceful balance in the region. The sultan had Osman's uncle arrest Osman and have him brought before the sultan, but he liked what he saw in the dynamic and courageous young man. He sent Osman to a Sufi mystic to wait while the sultan thought about what to do about him. The mystic saw a great future for Osman, put a turban on him, and sent him back to the sultan with the request to make Osman emir and the head of his clan.

As he expanded his borders, not all contact with Byzantines was hostile. As the Turks's major occupation was still shepherding, they needed grazing land. Osman arranged with Byzantine governors that the herds would be allowed to move safely through Byzantine lands. Turks could leave some of their permanent possessions safely stored at a Byzantine fortress, and when the herds came back through later, the Byzantine guardians would receive gifts of dairy products.

Osman showed promise as as a leader, designing administrative systems that transformed the clan from a nomadic to an urban lifestyle. Söğüt was not only an easily defended capital (being on a hill), it was a main route to Constantinople and was along the Silk Road. It was also far enough westward from the Mongol threat that Osman could concentrate on his Turkish neighbors, in many cases absorbing them through treaties or political marriages.

Then came the dream, the dream of empire. According to legend (written in a chronicle long after Osman's death) Osman had a dream that would lead to the forging of the empire named for him. I'll share that story next time.