Osman I

Reign: 1299 – 1324
Life: 1258–1326

While initially a small Turkoman principality during Osman's lifetime, his beylik transformed into a vast empire in the centuries after his death. It existed until 1922 shortly after the end of World War I, when the sultanate was abolished. Owing to the scarcity of historical sources dating from his lifetime, very little factual information about Osman has survived. Not a single written source survives from Osman's reign, and the Ottomans did not record the history of his life until the fifteenth century, more than a hundred years after his death. Because of this, historians find it very challenging to differentiate between fact and myth in the many stories told about him. One historian has even gone so far as to declare it impossible, describing the period of Osman's life as a "black hole".

During Osman I's reign, Denis I of Portugal ruled Portugal, James II of Aragon ruled Spain, and Andronikos II Palaiologos ruled Rome.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300–1923 by Caroline Finkel

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

Meanwhile in history

One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.

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From the library

Go deeper on Osman I

Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300–1923

Caroline Finkel

The modern standard history, Osman's founding legend to the empire Suleiman would inherit.

Find this book on Amazon

Some book links on this site point to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, WhoWasRuling.com may earn from qualifying purchases.

Osman I

The World During Their Reign

Meanwhile in history

Go deeper on Osman I

Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300–1923

Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300–1923

Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire