Battle of Ankara
1402 · Ankara (modern Ankara, Turkey) · World · Medieval
During the battle the Ottoman army's Turkic vassal troops changed sides, and Bayezid himself was captured and died in captivity.
Belligerents
Timurid Empire
- Commanders
- Timur
- Strength
- Timur's army
Ottoman Empire
- Commanders
- Bayezid I
- Strength
- Ottoman army
Background
After returning from his eastern campaigns, Timur came into conflict with the Ottomans in a struggle over suzerainty in Eastern Anatolia.
Course of the battle
- Forming upThe main armies of the two great empires formed up facing each other outside Ankara.
- Changed sidesThe Turkic vassal troops in the Ottoman army went over to Timur on the battlefield.
- CapturedThe Ottoman army was routed, and Bayezid I was captured.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1402 |
|---|---|
| Place | Ankara (modern Ankara, Turkey) |
| Result | During the battle the Ottoman army's Turkic vassal troops changed sides, and Bayezid himself was captured and died in captivity. |
| Winner | Timurid Empire |
| Casualties | Most of the Ottoman army scattered or surrendered, and the sultan was captured. |
| Territorial change | The Ottomans fell into a civil war lasting ten years, and their expansion was interrupted for a time. |
Impact
The Ottomans fell into the ten-year civil war of the "Interregnum," and the empire's expansion was interrupted for a time.
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