Peace of Selymbria - September 21, 1411

On September 21, 1411, the Peace of Selymbria was signed between the Ottoman Empire and the Byzantine Empire. This treaty marked the conclusion of hostilities that had persisted intermittently between the two empires since 1399, contributing to a critical phase in the late Byzantine period and the early years of Ottoman expansion.

Historical Context

The conflict between the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire during this period was part of the broader Byzantine-Ottoman Wars, which spanned centuries and were characterized by the steady encroachment of Ottoman forces into Byzantine territory.

Events Leading to the Treaty

• 1399-1402: The conflict initially intensified as the Ottomans, under Sultan Bayezid I, posed a significant threat to the beleaguered Byzantine Empire, which had increasingly fallen into internal strife and a weakened military state.

• 1402: The defeat of Bayezid I by Timur at the Battle of Ankara provided a temporary respite for the Byzantines, as the Ottoman Empire entered a period known as the Ottoman Interregnum. This power vacuum allowed various factions within the Byzantine Empire to negotiate more favorable terms with the Ottomans.

• Post-1402 Developments: Byzantine diplomacy sought to exploit the chaotic interregnum period, balancing allegiances between rival Ottoman princes. As the Ottomans began to stabilize under Sultan Mehmed I, the need for diplomatic clarity with Byzantium became evident, culminating in the Peace of Selymbria.

Key Provisions of the Peace

The treaty stipulated that:

1. Ceasefire: Both empires agreed to cease hostilities, providing a fragile peace in the region.
2. Tributary Status: The Byzantine Empire acknowledged Ottoman suzerainty to a certain extent, though the exact terms of subordination varied as factional Byzantine leaders sought to retain autonomy.
3. Territorial Adjustments: Minor adjustments in territorial control were acknowledged, recognizing Ottoman gains but preserving the existence of the Byzantine state.

Significance and Aftermath

The Peace of Selymbria was of limited duration in maintaining long-term peace. It highlights a pivotal moment where the Byzantine Empire, though greatly diminished in territorial and military capacity, continued to navigate a complex political landscape through diplomacy.

• Temporary Respite: The treaty provided a temporary respite but did not fundamentally alter the declining trajectory of Byzantine-Central authority.
• Precursor to Further Conflict: Within a few decades, the fall of Constantinople in 1453 would bring an end to the Byzantine Empire, underscoring the transient nature of such peace agreements in face of the rapidly expanding Ottoman state.

The treaty serves as a significant diplomatic interlude in the twilight of Byzantine sovereignty and illustrates the dynamic and transitional period of the 15th-century Eastern Mediterranean.