Battle of Ankara, 1402

This battle was decided more by the strategic maneuvering than the tactical engagements. Tamerlane’s engineering feat of diverting the Cubuk Creek was timed perfectly so that Bayezid raised no suspicions until his water sources suddenly disappeared. The fact that the Ottomans were exhausted and thirsty increased the Timurid chances of victory but it should be remembered that the battle still had to be won by tactical engagement. The Ottoman attacks on the Timurid wings still had to be repelled and the Janissaries still had to be overcome. Pavio Giovio stated in the sixteenth century issued a warning that the Ottomans always won if attacked and always lost if forced to attack themselves. While no modern survey has been undertaken to confirm this, Ankara certainly supports this thesis.

This is yet another battle where determining the strength of each side was the greatest challenge. Sources even disagree in which side was superior in numbers. As usual, I decided which numbers were most credible based on what happened in the battle, not by the authors’ wide-ranging estimates. The Ottomans advanced in a crescent formation, a huge indication that their front extended beyond the Timurid front. The Ottomans attacked, suggesting numerical superiority but not in the context of running out of water. What suggests numerical superiority is that Bayezid waited until 10am to launch the attack, indication of a confident attacking force, not a completely desperate attempt to reach water.

I am particularly proud of the final product because of the scanty accounts of the battle are and scarcity of related maps. The deployment I have shown reflects accounts’ descriptions but is also based on typical deployments of Ottoman and Timurid armies during the time period.

8 Comments to “Battle of Ankara, 1402”
this animation was great. i suggest doing more ottoman battles.

By Firuz on Aug 21, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I agree. Each of the next three seasons is slated to have one or more Ottoman battles. Enjoy!

By Jonathan Webb on Aug 23, 2009 at 4:39 pm
cant wait to see the kosovo 1448 one. i sure hope skanderbeg is mentioned.

By Firuz on Sep 2, 2009 at 9:08 pm
i saw your site today. and i can’t give it up. it’s simply excellent.
this battle and defeat resulted a great chaos in turkish empire for a decade.

i want more battles of ottomans. especially yavuz selim. he conquered egypt, west iran and syria against irans and egyptians.

these are campaigns of yavuz sultan selim
caldiran 1514
merc-i dab?k 1516
ridaniye 1517

i will follow your site everyday

By Burak on Jan 3, 2010 at 4:45 am
Thank you Burak, you’re very kind and appreciative for my efforts.

Do not worry as many Ottoman battles are slated for the next few seasons. Right now the list (although it may change) includes:
Lepanto 1571
Kosovo 1448
Valea Alba 1476
Gallipoli 1915
Manzikert 1071 (not Ottoman but takes place in Turkey)

By Jonathan Webb on Jan 9, 2010 at 10:16 pm
thanks a lot. when will the next season begin ?

i know those battles. 4 of them are turning points in turkish history..

lepanto. turkish navy was annihilated by united european army. and ottoman superiority in mediterranean finished.

kosovo: turks defeated crusaders led by hungary and ottoman settled the balcans decisively

gallipoli: it’s very long to explain. i simply say. gallipoli victory and spirit of galliply caused turkish nationalism. this battle is the most important thing in modern turkish history.

manzikert. a very important battle also contoversial. many historians say ” when seljuk turks defeated byzantines in 1071 manzikert, then anatoli begun a turkish land.” yes turkish invasion stardes after this victory. they were semi nomadic seljuk turks.

By Burak on Jan 12, 2010 at 1:20 pm
the ottoman interregnum period is important too.

By lycy on Jan 21, 2010 at 6:43 pm
battle by skanderbeg must be created!

By Albnori on Feb 15, 2010 at 6:43 pm

8 Comments to “Battle of Ankara, 1402”

Post a Comment

Related Articles

Supported Sites

Supported Readings

Weider History Group