Which Group Did The Ottoman Empire Conquer First?the Byzantinesthe Greeksthe Mesopotamiansthe Turks

Which Group Did The Ottoman Empire Conquer First? the Byzantines, the Greeks, the Mesopotamians, the Turks

The rise of the Ottoman Empire is one of the most significant events in world history, marking the transition from the medieval period to the early modern era. To understand the empire’s expansion, it is essential to examine which groups it conquered first. Among the prominent civilizations and peoples in the region—namely the Byzantines, the Greeks, the Mesopotamians, and the Turks—the initial conquests played a crucial role in shaping the empire’s trajectory. This article explores the early conquests of the Ottoman Empire, detailing the order in which these groups fell under Ottoman rule, and analyzing the historical context surrounding these pivotal events.

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The Origins of the Ottoman Empire

Before delving into the specifics of their conquests, it is important to understand the origins of the Ottoman Empire. Founded around 1299 by Osman I in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), the Ottomans initially started as a small principality on the frontier of the declining Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. Their strategic location allowed them to expand gradually into neighboring territories, leveraging military prowess, political alliances, and economic strength.

The early Ottoman expansions were primarily focused on consolidating power within Anatolia, which was a mosaic of various peoples, including Turks, Byzantines, Armenians, and others. The empire’s expansion into Europe and the Middle East came later, after establishing a strong base in Anatolia.

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Which Group Did The Ottoman Empire Conquer First?

The initial phase of Ottoman expansion was primarily directed toward neighboring groups within Anatolia. Over time, their conquests extended into the remnants of the Byzantine Empire and regions of the Middle East. To answer the question directly: the first major group the Ottomans conquered was the Byzantines, specifically the Byzantine-controlled territories in Anatolia.

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The Conquest of the Byzantines: The First Major Step

Background of Byzantine-Ottoman Relations

The Byzantine Empire, centered in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), was a dominant Christian power in the eastern Mediterranean for centuries. By the late 13th and early 14th centuries, it was significantly weakened due to internal strife, external invasions, and economic decline. The Ottomans, emerging as a formidable force in the region, capitalized on this vulnerability.

Early Ottoman-Byzantine Encounters

Initially, the Ottomans engaged in raids and small-scale territorial acquisitions in Byzantine-held Anatolia. These were often expeditions aimed at expanding Ottoman influence and consolidating control over strategic locations.

The First Conquest: Bursa (1326–1328)

The turning point in Ottoman-Byzantine relations came with the capture of Bursa, a wealthy and important city in northwestern Anatolia. This conquest marked:

• Ottoman dominance over a significant Byzantine city
• The establishment of Bursa as the first major Ottoman capital
• The beginning of Ottoman territorial expansion into the Balkans and further into Europe

Bursa’s fall was a decisive victory that signaled the Ottomans’ ability to project power beyond their initial borders. It also provided a strong foothold for further campaigns into Byzantine territories and beyond.

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Other Early Conquests: The Greeks and the Mesopotamians

While the Byzantines were the primary focus of initial Ottoman expansion, it is essential to recognize the roles played by other groups such as the Greeks and the Mesopotamians.

The Greeks: The Byzantine Connection

• The Greeks, the inhabitants of the Byzantine Empire, were essentially the Christian Greek-speaking population under Byzantine rule.
• As the Byzantines declined, certain Greek territories, especially in the Balkans, fell to the Ottomans.
• Notably, the Ottoman conquest of Greek-majority regions such as Thessaloniki (1430) and parts of the Peloponnese occurred after their initial conquest of Bursa.
• These conquests represented a gradual process of consolidating control over Greek lands, often through military campaigns, alliances, and administrative integration.

The Mesopotamians: The Middle Eastern Lands

• The Mesopotamian region, encompassing parts of modern-day Iraq and eastern Syria, was historically a cradle of civilization, inhabited by various peoples including Arabs, Persians, and others.
• Ottoman control of Mesopotamia began in the 16th century, notably after their conquest of the Safavid Empire’s territories in Persia.
• The Ottomans expanded into Mesopotamia through a series of campaigns during the 16th and 17th centuries, securing key cities such as Baghdad (1638).
• These later conquests came well after their initial expansion in Anatolia and the Balkans, indicating that Mesopotamian territories were not their first targets.

The Role of the Turks in Early Ottoman Expansion

The Turkic Roots of the Ottoman Empire

• The Ottomans were a Turkic dynasty, originating from nomadic tribes in Central Asia who migrated into Anatolia.
• As Turks, they shared cultural and linguistic ties with other Turkic peoples, but their early expansion was focused within Anatolia rather than into regions inhabited by other Turkic groups.
• Their initial conquests were aimed at consolidating Turkish-speaking territories and reducing Byzantine influence in Anatolia.

Turkic Conquests and Alliances

• Before establishing themselves as an empire, the Ottomans engaged in various military campaigns against rival Turkic tribes, such as the Karamanids and the Ghazis.
• These campaigns helped strengthen their control over Anatolia and laid the groundwork for later expansion into Europe and the Middle East.

Summary of the Conquest Sequence

Based on historical evidence, the sequence of key conquests by the Ottoman Empire is as follows:

• Byzantines in Anatolia: The Ottomans first targeted Byzantine territories within Anatolia, culminating in the capture of Bursa (around 1326–1328).
• Greek Territories: Following their initial success, they expanded into Greek lands, including Thessaloniki and the Peloponnese, primarily in the 14th and 15th centuries.
• Turkic Tribes and Other Anatolian Principalities: These were integrated into the Ottoman domain early on, often through alliances and military conquest.
• Mesopotamian Regions: The Ottomans conquered Mesopotamian territories much later, starting in the 16th century with their campaigns against the Safavid Empire and Persia.

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Conclusion: The First Conquered Group

The earliest and most significant conquest that marked the rise of the Ottoman Empire was the defeat of the Byzantines in Anatolia, specifically their capture of Bursa. This event was the foundation of Ottoman power, setting the stage for further expansion into Greek lands, the Middle East, and later into Europe.

Understanding this sequence offers insights into the strategic priorities of the Ottomans, their military capabilities, and their long-term vision of empire-building. The conquest of Byzantine territories not only provided territorial gains but also symbolized the transfer of power from the Byzantine Christian realm to a rising Muslim empire that would dominate southeastern Europe and the Middle East for centuries.

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Key Takeaways:

• The Ottoman Empire’s first major conquest was the Byzantine city of Bursa around 1326–1328.


• Their early focus was on consolidating power within Anatolia before expanding into Greece and the Middle East.


• The Greeks, as part of the Byzantine Empire, fell gradually over the 14th and 15th centuries.


• The Mesopotamian regions were incorporated into the Ottoman realm much later, in the 16th century.


• The Turks, as the empire’s founders, were central to early conquests but primarily within Anatolia before expanding into other regions.