The Legacy of the Ottoman Empire: Continuation of the Seljuk State, or Something More?

When discussing the historical continuity between the Ottoman Empire and the Seljuk Empire, it is important to consider the broader context of territorial acquisitions, political structures, and cultural dynamics that emerged during these periods. The Ottoman state can indeed be seen as the continuation of the Seljuk Empire, yet it also represents an immense leap in power and territorial control, which significantly reshaped the geopolitical landscape.

The Expansion of the Ottoman State

The rise of the Ottoman state was nothing short of a monumental shift in the geopolitical order. While the Seljuk Empire was a notable power in its own right, the Ottoman Empire expanded its influence to an unprecedented degree, establishing itself as a world empire within a remarkably short period. The Seljuk Empire, on the other hand, declined over time and eventually fragmented.

The Ottoman state began with the establishment of Sultans in Anatolia in the 13th century, after the Anatolian Turks gained control over the region following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. By the 13th century, the Seljuk Empire was in decline, and by 1270, it had collapsed, with its territories being divided among the various beyliks or provincial rulers. It was Osman, the father of the founder of the Ottoman state, who declared independence and established a new state with Aivali as its capital.

Comparing the Roman Empire and the Successor States of Alexander

The comparison between the Roman Empire and the successor states of Alexander the Great provides a useful lens through which to understand the monumental rise of the Ottoman state. Both the Roman and the Alexander empires were vast and powerful, dominating regions and establishing control over significant territories. However, their expansion and the establishment of enduring empires were marked by different trajectories.

The Roman Empire, for example, was a succession of empires that managed to maintain control over large parts of the Mediterranean world through a well-organized administrative system and a strong military presence. The successor states of Alexander, on the other hand, faced challenges and fragmentation. Similarly, the Ottoman Empire drastically expanded its territory, conquering lands from the Greeks in Anatolia and the Balkans, and later dominating and eventually ruling over much of the Middle East, except for Persia and Egypt.

The Seljuk State: A Declining Power

The Seljuk state, while powerful in its own right, was not as expansive or enduring as the Ottoman Empire. The Seljuks played a significant role in the history of the Middle East and Anatolia, but their empire gradually declined and fragmented. This decline is evident from the division of the Seljuk lands among various beyliks by 1270, highlighting the fragmentation and loss of central control.

Modern Concepts of Ethnicity in Historical Context

The modern concept of ethnicity, as we understand it today, did not exist in the historical periods of the Seljuk and Ottoman empires. In those times, people identified primarily by their religious houses, clans, and families. The religious identity was often more significant than a collective ethnic identity. For instance, in Albania, the region of Shqipria, which was a Byzantine vassal state, there was no substantial interaction with the Turks, and the people there identified as a vassal state without an ethnic connection to the Turks.

The Ottoman Empire, however, saw the emergence of a centralized identity that was closely tied to religion. For regions like Turkey, Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Greece, identity was strongly bound to religious affiliation, although there were multilingual populations with a Turkish language of trade and various family languages.

The Absence of Ethnically-Categorized States

Within the region of Albania, there is no distinct "ethnic" distinction between Muslim and Christian Albanians. This characteristic is noticeably different from the Turkish, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Romanian, and Greek identities, which were closely tied to religious affiliations. The Turks of today have little connection to their namesakes in the Altai Mountains and are thoroughly assimilated Anatolians. This state of affairs highlights the complex and often fluid nature of ethnic and religious identities in historical contexts.

Conclusion

The continuity between the Seljuk and Ottoman states is evident in the territorial expansion and consolidation of power. However, the Ottoman Empire's rise to unprecedented heights as a world empire must be seen as a distinct leap from the Seljuk state. The lack of an ethnically categorized state in the historical consciousness of these periods is also a critical point, with religious and cultural affiliations being more relevant to individuals' identities than modern ethnic designations.