The treaty granted the Byzantine Empire and allied Christian states major territorial and political concessions from a weakened Ottoman ruler following the Battle of Ankara.
Key Facts
- Date concluded
- January or early February 1403
- Ottoman signatory
- Süleyman Çelebi, ruler of Ottoman Balkans
- Christian signatories
- Byzantine Empire, Venice, Genoa, Hospitallers, Naxos
- Context
- Aftermath of the Battle of Ankara
- Duration of observance
- Honoured until collapse after Mehmed I's death in 1421
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Ottoman defeat at the Battle of Ankara in 1402 left Süleyman Çelebi controlling only the Balkan territories and embroiled in a succession struggle with his brothers. Seeking to consolidate his position, Süleyman required peace with the Christian powers on his western flank and was compelled to offer significant concessions to secure their support or neutrality.
In January or early February 1403, Süleyman Çelebi concluded a peace treaty at Gallipoli with the Byzantine Empire, the Republic of Venice, the Republic of Genoa, the Knights Hospitaller, and the Duchy of Naxos. The agreement granted major concessions to the Christian states, restoring lost territories to Byzantium and establishing a position of nominal Ottoman subordination to the Byzantine emperor.
The treaty's provisions were respected by both Süleyman and the eventual Ottoman succession victor Mehmed I, allowing the Byzantine Empire and allied states a period of relative security and recovered territory. However, the arrangement collapsed following Mehmed I's death in 1421, after which Ottoman pressure on Christian powers resumed.
Political Outcome
Christian powers secured major territorial and political concessions; Byzantines regained lost lands and achieved nominal superiority over Süleyman Çelebi.
Ottoman dominance over Byzantine Empire and Christian Aegean powers prior to Battle of Ankara
Byzantines regained territories and nominal superiority; Ottomans weakened by succession crisis