Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
If the late 14th century was a time of expansion for the Ottomans, the early 15th-century would be a time of rebuilding as the Ottoman state was effectively thrown into years of political unrest caused by their major military defeat to the Timurids at the Battle of Ankara. The sons of Bayezid I go on to fight in a decade-long civil war to see who would reign supreme over the empire. At the same time the Byzantines began to harbor Ottoman princes within their walls in Constantinople as a way to gain further leverage over the ruling sultans of Edirne. Ottoman leaders during this era were well aware of the potential political consequences of rival claimants to their throne. Which is why after the Fall of Constantinople, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II would officially legalize the practice of fratricide.
"Of any of my sons that ascends the throne, it is acceptable for him to kill his brothers for the common benefit of the people. The majority of the ulama have approved this; let action be taken accordingly.
- Mehmed II, 7th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
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Images Used:
Music Used:
Doug Maxwell - Arabian Nightfall (Sting):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bRzD...
If any of the images or songs are yours, please let me know I will amend them. Please don't report me straight away!
0:00 Intro
1:16 Early Origins
4:07 Fratricidal Golden Age
9:49 How The Practise Died Out
If the late 14th century was a time of expansion for the Ottomans, the early 15th-century would be a time of rebuilding as the Ottoman state was effectively thrown into years of political unrest caused by their major military defeat to the Timurids at the Battle of Ankara. The sons of Bayezid I go on to fight in a decade-long civil war to see who would reign supreme over the empire. At the same time the Byzantines began to harbor Ottoman princes within their walls in Constantinople as a way to gain further leverage over the ruling sultans of Edirne. Ottoman leaders during this era were well aware of the potential political consequences of rival claimants to their throne. Which is why after the Fall of Constantinople, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II would officially legalize the practice of fratricide.
"Of any of my sons that ascends the throne, it is acceptable for him to kill his brothers for the common benefit of the people. The majority of the ulama have approved this; let action be taken accordingly.
- Mehmed II, 7th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
FREE NEWSLETTER:
https://mailchi.mp/a69f93be6c66/hikma-history-newsletter
- Become a Patron for as little as a dollar a month to vote on upcoming and keep the movement going!
patreon.com/user?u=12397811
Massive thank you to our Patreons:
Elman
Walid
Preston P
Adam
Mohammad
Areeb
Awais
Omar
Farid
Ibrahim
Ari
Joshua
Haseeb
Amir
Mahmoud
Joel
CoreBard
- Join our social media community:
Twitter:
twitter.com/HikmaHistory
Instagram:
instagram.com/hikmahistory
Facebook:
facebook.com/HikmaHistory
Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hikma...
#ottomanempire #islamichistory #turkishhistory
Images Used:
Music Used:
Doug Maxwell - Arabian Nightfall (Sting):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bRzD...
If any of the images or songs are yours, please let me know I will amend them. Please don't report me straight away!
0:00 Intro
1:16 Early Origins
4:07 Fratricidal Golden Age
9:49 How The Practise Died Out
