The Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I and Tamerlane's Battle of Ankara

In 1402, two of the most powerful rulers of the early 15th century clashed near Ankara: Tamerlane and the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I, nicknamed Yildirim, 'the Thunderbolt.' This episode dives into the lead-up to the Battle of Ankara, exploring how Bayezid's rapid expansion across Anatolia and Tamerlane's demand for tribute brought them to war. We discuss the battle itself—its tactics, the defection of Bayezid's Tatar and Anatolian vassals, and Tamerlane's use of his vast auxiliary forces. After the victory, Tamerlane paraded Bayezid in a cage, a story steeped in legend, but also solid historical accounts. We also cover the aftermath: Tamerlane's restoration of the beyliks Bayezid had conquered, the Ottoman Interregnum that followed, and how this battle delayed the fall of Constantinople for 50 years. Along the way, we feature the eyewitness accounts of Johann Schiltberger, a Bavarian mercenary captured and forced to serve in both armies, and Ibn Arabshah, who fled Tamerlane's advance. This is a story of two conquerors whose ambitions collided, reshaping the Near East. #Tamerlane #BayezidI #BattleOfAnkara #OttomanEmpire #TimuridEmpire #Anatolia #JohannSchiltberger #IbnArabshah #Yildirim #OttomanInterregnum #Constantinople #1402 #MedievalHistory #CentralAsia #NearEast #MilitaryHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo