sogullari Principality

This principality was founded by Mentese Bey as the forefront principality of Seljuk State in the year of 1300. He had established dominion in the southern regions of the provinces of Mugla, Kaş, Fenike, Bozdoğan, Çine, Tavas, Çameli, Acıpayam, and Aydın and Denizli.

The Menteseogullari Principality had had a strong fleet of navy in the Aegean Sea. They had been submissive to Selcukogullari and Ilhanli State. However, they could not withstand the Ottoman State, and they became an Ottoman province in the year of 1424.

Mentese principality was founded by the Turkmens that came to these environs through marine routes and settled in the central regions between the coasts and Denizli. The province of Mugla (Karia) had encountered the raids of Turks from the coasts since the year of 1261. The Turks under the command of Mentese had captured Guzelhisar and Sultanhisar in the year of 1282. The Ilhanli Ruler Geyhutu had organised a disciplinary organisation against the Karaman, Esref and Menteseogullari principalities in the year of 1291. Then, the Turks established dominion in the entire Karia.

One of the emirs of this principality, Mes’ud Bey had captured significant regions of the Rhode Island, but the Hospitaliers Chevaliers were able to establish dominion in the entire island (1308). The attempts of Mes’ud Bey in order to recapture the island fell short. Sucaeddin Orhan Bey could not attain any results from his attempts that he had undertaken in order to recapture the Rhode Island from the chevaliers since the year of 1320.

The Venetians had posed a threat with their navies against Ibrahim Bey who had been involved in the preparations for counter-attack towards them and they were forced to disarmament as a result of the agreement that was concluded through the mediation of the Crete Duke between the years of 1352-55.

It has been estimates that Ibrahim Bey died before the year of 1360. Pursuant to his death, his three sons had established dominion in different regions of the principality. Upon the movements of Ahmed Bey who was called with the title of Ghazi against the ships that travelled between the Rhode Island and Cyprus, the navy of Cyprus (in 1365) threatened the coasts of Aydin and Mentese principalities, but an agreement was concluded through the mediation of Venetians.

Afterwards, Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid captured the coasts of Mentese principality towards Balat. Ahmed Ghazi who supposedly dominated in the other regions died in the year of 793/1391. Pursuant to him, Mehmed Bey replaced him. Upon a new movement of Ottoman State, Mehmed Bey ran away to the side of Candaroglu Isfendiyar Bey. Therefore, the lands of Mentese principality were captured by the Ottomans.

Mentese Bey was the son of Elbistan Bey and the grandson of Kuru (or Kara) Bey. He was replaced by his son, Mesud Bey. His daughter was married with Şasa Bey who was the conqueror of Aydin. His other son, Kirman Bey had become the bey of Finike. Kirman Bey's son was Zevan Bey. Mesud Bey was replaced by his son, Orhan Bey. His other son was Ibrahim Bey. Orhan Bey was replaced by his son, Ibrahim Bey, and his daughter was married with Aydinoğlu Suleyman Shah Bey. Pursuant to Ibrahim Bey', his elder son, Mehmed Bey had become the ruler. This person had moved the capital city from Becin to Balat. His brother, Ahmed Bey had become the bey of Beçin. His other brother was Musa Bey who died in the year of 1370. Mehmed Bey was deprived of his throne by Yıldırım. Upon the death of hazi Ahmed Bey, Becin was annexed to the Ottoman union.

Pursuant to Ankara war, Mehmed Bey had become the ruler again, and after a while, he was replaced by his son, Ilyas Bey. His daughter was married with Aydinoglu Umur Bey II. His other son, Gıyâseddin Mahmud Bey died in the year of 1392, and he had had granddaughters from his daughter, Fatma Hatun that were named as Umur Pasha and Sultan Pasha Hatuns. Ilyas Bey had died upon his submission to Celebi Sultan Mehmed and he was replaced by his son, Leys Bey. His other children were Fatma Hatun that died in the year of 1420, Hüseyin Pasha Hatun, Sultan Pasha Hatun, and Ahmed Bey who died in the years of 1425. Ahmed Bey's son was Ilyas Bey who died in the year of 1455. The state was entirely captured by the Ottoman State in the year of 1425 or before or after one year, and the region of Mentese had become a county principality.

Ilyas Bey had been involved in the alliance against Celebi Mehmed in the course of the struggles for sultanate among the Ottoman princes. However, upon the defeat of his allies by Celebi Mehmed, Ilyas Bey had to recognise his domination (1414). In the same year, he had totally been under the domination of the Ottoman State and he lost the sovereignty. Pursuant to the death of Ilyas Bey, his two sons were able to ascend the throne in the principality. However, Sultan Murad II captured the lands of Mentese principality in the year of 1424. He caught these two brothers and arrested them as prisoners. Therefore, this principality came to an end.

Mentesogullari principality had decorated its country with architectural works such as mosques, theological schools, charitable establishments, etc. They had protected the literary characters and had some of these works to be translated into Turkish in their names. The works that have survived since their period until nowadays are Hacı İlyas Câmii (mosque) and Milas Ulu Câmii located in Milas, Balat (Milet) Ulu Câmii and Ahmed Ghazî theological school in Peçin.