Osman I won his first great victory against the tottering Byzantine Empire near this location.
Baghdad
Nicea
Ephesus
Bursa
Nicea. His powerful army included Islamic mercenaries hoping to plunder the weakening Byzantines, Turks fleeing the Mongols, and Ghazi warriors who believed they were fighting to defend and expand Islam. A derivation of Osman‘s name became the name of the empire built on his successes – the Ottomans.