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Siege of Nicaea (1331)
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Nicaea by the forces of Osman I
from 1328 to 1331, resulted to the conquest of a key Byzantine Greek
city by the Ottoman Turks
. It played an important role to the expansion of the Ottoman Empire
.
, the Byzantines concentrated their efforts in restoring their hold on Greece
. Troops had to be taken from the eastern front in Anatolia and into the Peloponesse, with the disastrous consequence that what land the Nicaean empire held in Anatolia was now open to Ottoman raids. With the raids increasing in frequency and ferocity, Byzantine imperial authority rolled back from Anatolia.
had fallen into the hands of Osman I. He had also captured the city of Bursa, establishing a capital dangerously close to the Byzantine
capital of Constantinople
. In 1328, Orkhan
, Osman's son, began the siege of Nicaea, which had been in a state of intermittent blockade since 1301.
The Ottomans lacked the ability to control access to the town through the lakeside harbour. As a result, the siege dragged on for several years without conclusion.
In 1329, emperor Andronicus III attempted to break the siege. He led a relief force to drive the Ottomans away from both Nicomedia
and Nicaea. After some minor successes, however, the force suffered a reverse at Pelekanon
and withdrew. When it was clear that no effective Imperial force would be able to restore the frontier and drive off the Ottomans, the city proper fell in 1331.
through Byzantine diplomacy in 1097. It had served as the capital of the Greek emperors during the period of the Latin Empire
from 1204 to 1261. It was the most important Asian city in the Empire at the time of its fall to Osman. There were no Crusaders left then to retake it. The Ottoman conquests continued apace and Nicomedia
fell in 1337.
Osman I
Osman I or Othman I or El-Gazi Sultan Osman Ghazi, or Osman Bey or I. Osman, Osman Gazi Han), nicknamed "Kara" for his courage, was the leader of the Ottoman Turks, and the founder of the dynasty that established and ruled the Ottoman Empire...
from 1328 to 1331, resulted to the conquest of a key Byzantine Greek
Byzantine Greeks
Byzantine Greeks or Byzantines is a conventional term used by modern historians to refer to the medieval Greek or Hellenised citizens of the Byzantine Empire, centered mainly in Constantinople, the southern Balkans, the Greek islands, Asia Minor , Cyprus and the large urban centres of the Near East...
city by the Ottoman Turks
Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
. It played an important role to the expansion of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
.
Background
Following the recapture of Constantinople from the LatinsLatins
"Latins" refers to different groups of people and the meaning of the word changes for where and when it is used.The original Latins were an Italian tribe inhabiting central and south-central Italy. Through conquest by their most populous city-state, Rome, the original Latins culturally "Romanized"...
, the Byzantines concentrated their efforts in restoring their hold on Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Troops had to be taken from the eastern front in Anatolia and into the Peloponesse, with the disastrous consequence that what land the Nicaean empire held in Anatolia was now open to Ottoman raids. With the raids increasing in frequency and ferocity, Byzantine imperial authority rolled back from Anatolia.
Siege
By 1326, lands around NicaeaIznik
İznik is a city in Turkey which is primarily known as the site of the First and Second Councils of Nicaea, the first and seventh Ecumenical councils in the early history of the Church, the Nicene Creed, and as the capital city of the Empire of Nicaea...
had fallen into the hands of Osman I. He had also captured the city of Bursa, establishing a capital dangerously close to the Byzantine
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
capital of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
. In 1328, Orkhan
Orhan I
Orhan I or Orhan Bey was the second bey of the nascent Ottoman Empire from 1326 to 1359...
, Osman's son, began the siege of Nicaea, which had been in a state of intermittent blockade since 1301.
The Ottomans lacked the ability to control access to the town through the lakeside harbour. As a result, the siege dragged on for several years without conclusion.
In 1329, emperor Andronicus III attempted to break the siege. He led a relief force to drive the Ottomans away from both Nicomedia
Nicomedia
Nicomedia was an ancient city in what is now Turkey, founded in 712/11 BC as a Megarian colony and was originally known as Astacus . After being destroyed by Lysimachus, it was rebuilt by Nicomedes I of Bithynia in 264 BC under the name of Nicomedia, and has ever since been one of the most...
and Nicaea. After some minor successes, however, the force suffered a reverse at Pelekanon
Battle of Pelekanon
The Battle of Pelekanon also known by its Latinised form Battle of Pelecanum occurred on June 10-11, 1329 between an expeditionary force by the Byzantines led by Andronicus III and an Ottoman army led by Orhan I...
and withdrew. When it was clear that no effective Imperial force would be able to restore the frontier and drive off the Ottomans, the city proper fell in 1331.
Legacy
Nicaea had been in Turkish hands before. It was reconquered by the First CrusadeFirst Crusade
The First Crusade was a military expedition by Western Christianity to regain the Holy Lands taken in the Muslim conquest of the Levant, ultimately resulting in the recapture of Jerusalem...
through Byzantine diplomacy in 1097. It had served as the capital of the Greek emperors during the period of the Latin Empire
Latin Empire
The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople is the name given by historians to the feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. It was established after the capture of Constantinople in 1204 and lasted until 1261...
from 1204 to 1261. It was the most important Asian city in the Empire at the time of its fall to Osman. There were no Crusaders left then to retake it. The Ottoman conquests continued apace and Nicomedia
Nicomedia
Nicomedia was an ancient city in what is now Turkey, founded in 712/11 BC as a Megarian colony and was originally known as Astacus . After being destroyed by Lysimachus, it was rebuilt by Nicomedes I of Bithynia in 264 BC under the name of Nicomedia, and has ever since been one of the most...
fell in 1337.