Othman

Othman, or Osman I., surnamed Al-ghazi ('the conqueror'), the founder of the Ottoman (Turkish) power, was born in Bithynia in 1259, and, on the overthrow of the sultanate of Iconium in 1299 by the Mongols, seized upon a portion of Bithynia. Then he forced the passes of Olympus, took possession of the territory of Nicæa, except the town of that name, and gradually subdued a great part of Asia Minor, and so became the founder of the present Turkish empire. From his name are derived the terms Ottoman and Osmanli as synonyms for the Turks. See TURKEY.