DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25694#0051
34
MAHOMET I.
Soon after Tamerlane’s arrival in his own dominions, he received the unwelcome news that the
sons of Bajazet had repossessed themselves of all the territory he had conquered: he therefore pro-
jected another expedition, being not only determined to crush the aspiring fortune of the Ottoman
family, but to pass into Europe, and add the conquest of Greece to his former exploits. A formidable
power was raised, and he had nearly entered the Turkish dominions, when he was seized with an
ague, which carried off this terror of the universe, in the second year of the fifteenth century.
Mahomet being thus delivered from the source of his greatest annoyance, procured by negociation,
an acknowledgment of his superiority from his brother Musa; but all his efforts towards a recon-
ciliation with Isa having failed, these chiefs, equally inspired by ambition, met in the field: both
parties fought with the true spirit of their father Bajazet; but Mahomet’s fortune prevailing, he was
acknowledged as Emperor, and received the submission of his Asiatic subjects. Soliman, while
these disturbances were agitating Asia, was quietly reigning over his subjects in Europe; but
hearing of the expulsion of Isa, he furnished him with powers which he thought sufficient to regain
his lost rights. Isa, with the forces entrusted to him by his brother, made a bold but ineffectual
struggle; and, with hardly twenty followers, escaping into Caramania, was heard of no more.
Soliman afterwards invaded Mahomet’s dominions, who, perceiving the danger that threatened
him, concerted a plan with his brother Musa, by which he passed into Europe; and obtaining
possession of Adrianople, was acknowledged as Emperor by the people. This master-piece of
policy obliged Soliman to return home for the purpose of regaining his own dominions. At first
he appeared successful, and Musa was reduced to the lowest extremity; but Soliman, always
addicted to pleasure, and now flushed with conquest, had suffered his army to disperse. Musa, by
his spies, soon received intelligence of his brother’s situation, and suddenly attacking him, when
he was unprepared, Soliman was either slain during the battle, or in the pursuit, leaving Musa
in possession of his territories in Europe. There now remained two of Bajazet’s sons ; one reigning
in Asia, and the other in Europe: nature seemed to have divided their empires; but nothing could
set bounds to their ambition. By acts of injustice and tyranny, Musa lost his popularity, which
awakened in Mahomet the desire of supplanting him. Many battles were fought between those
accomplished warriors, with various success: the fortune of Mahomet at length prevailed, and he
became, by the death of his brother, the undisputed heir to all the Turkish dominions in Europe
and Asia.
Mahomet, during the latter part of his reign, finished the magnificent temples at Adrianople, begun
by his brother Soliman ; and also founded an abbey and public school adjoining, on which he be-
stowed very liberal endowments. He appointed his eldest son, Amurath, to succeed him, and being
warned of the approaches of death, he sent to hasten his son’s return to the capital, lest any dis-
turbance should arise in respect to the succession. He died in the thirty-third year of his age, and
seventeenth of his reign.
Mahomet is recognized by all historians, as the restorer of the Turkish monarchy; an honour
which becomes enhanced in proportion to the slender means by which he laid the foundation of his
fortunes. The overawing power of Tamerlane, which roused his warlike genius, appears to have
subdued the spirit of his brothers; and although we cannot reconcile his conduct towards them
with the feelings of our nature, it must be confessed, that he who, by a boldness of enterprise, and
persevering spirit of resistance, bad defiance to the Tartarian invader, of all the sons of Bajazet, best
merited the imperial turban. After closing the scene of long domestic hostility, he placed the fabric
of the Ottoman family on a firm and lasting foundation.
The Vignette represents the last contest between the forces of Mahomet and Musa.
MAHOMET I.
Soon after Tamerlane’s arrival in his own dominions, he received the unwelcome news that the
sons of Bajazet had repossessed themselves of all the territory he had conquered: he therefore pro-
jected another expedition, being not only determined to crush the aspiring fortune of the Ottoman
family, but to pass into Europe, and add the conquest of Greece to his former exploits. A formidable
power was raised, and he had nearly entered the Turkish dominions, when he was seized with an
ague, which carried off this terror of the universe, in the second year of the fifteenth century.
Mahomet being thus delivered from the source of his greatest annoyance, procured by negociation,
an acknowledgment of his superiority from his brother Musa; but all his efforts towards a recon-
ciliation with Isa having failed, these chiefs, equally inspired by ambition, met in the field: both
parties fought with the true spirit of their father Bajazet; but Mahomet’s fortune prevailing, he was
acknowledged as Emperor, and received the submission of his Asiatic subjects. Soliman, while
these disturbances were agitating Asia, was quietly reigning over his subjects in Europe; but
hearing of the expulsion of Isa, he furnished him with powers which he thought sufficient to regain
his lost rights. Isa, with the forces entrusted to him by his brother, made a bold but ineffectual
struggle; and, with hardly twenty followers, escaping into Caramania, was heard of no more.
Soliman afterwards invaded Mahomet’s dominions, who, perceiving the danger that threatened
him, concerted a plan with his brother Musa, by which he passed into Europe; and obtaining
possession of Adrianople, was acknowledged as Emperor by the people. This master-piece of
policy obliged Soliman to return home for the purpose of regaining his own dominions. At first
he appeared successful, and Musa was reduced to the lowest extremity; but Soliman, always
addicted to pleasure, and now flushed with conquest, had suffered his army to disperse. Musa, by
his spies, soon received intelligence of his brother’s situation, and suddenly attacking him, when
he was unprepared, Soliman was either slain during the battle, or in the pursuit, leaving Musa
in possession of his territories in Europe. There now remained two of Bajazet’s sons ; one reigning
in Asia, and the other in Europe: nature seemed to have divided their empires; but nothing could
set bounds to their ambition. By acts of injustice and tyranny, Musa lost his popularity, which
awakened in Mahomet the desire of supplanting him. Many battles were fought between those
accomplished warriors, with various success: the fortune of Mahomet at length prevailed, and he
became, by the death of his brother, the undisputed heir to all the Turkish dominions in Europe
and Asia.
Mahomet, during the latter part of his reign, finished the magnificent temples at Adrianople, begun
by his brother Soliman ; and also founded an abbey and public school adjoining, on which he be-
stowed very liberal endowments. He appointed his eldest son, Amurath, to succeed him, and being
warned of the approaches of death, he sent to hasten his son’s return to the capital, lest any dis-
turbance should arise in respect to the succession. He died in the thirty-third year of his age, and
seventeenth of his reign.
Mahomet is recognized by all historians, as the restorer of the Turkish monarchy; an honour
which becomes enhanced in proportion to the slender means by which he laid the foundation of his
fortunes. The overawing power of Tamerlane, which roused his warlike genius, appears to have
subdued the spirit of his brothers; and although we cannot reconcile his conduct towards them
with the feelings of our nature, it must be confessed, that he who, by a boldness of enterprise, and
persevering spirit of resistance, bad defiance to the Tartarian invader, of all the sons of Bajazet, best
merited the imperial turban. After closing the scene of long domestic hostility, he placed the fabric
of the Ottoman family on a firm and lasting foundation.
The Vignette represents the last contest between the forces of Mahomet and Musa.