James Surtees Phillpotts

During this time of general anarchy, a clan of Oghouz Turks, under Ertogruhl, settled in the dominions of Alaeddin, the chief of Iconium. These Turks were of the same family as the Huns and Avars, and the other Barbarian hordes

Emperor Michael had disbanded the militia, who guarded the passes of Mount Olympus, and had thus left Bithynia open to attack. Orchan, the son of Othman, took advantage

uniting several of the scattered Turkish tribes under one head, laid the foundation of the Ottoman Empire

from the Christian captives who were condemned to slavery, was selected the wife of his son Orchan. A Christian apostate, ‘Michael of the Pointed Beard’ was the chief of Othman’s captains

It was through the feudal system of the Ottomans, in combination with their institution of slavery, that war was made to feed war; that every conquest supplied the means for future conquest

war was made to feed war

This force served without pay

that the Ottoman army must be formed out of the children of the conquered Christians, who should be forced to become Mahometans

these Turks were too proud and turbulent to endure the necessary discipline

Thus it was that the Sultans were able to consolidate and unite their dominions