Aydın Dynasty

Aydın Dynasty, Turkmen dynasty (c. 1308–1425) that ruled in the Aydın-Izmir region in western Anatolia. Situated in a prosperous coastal region, the Aydın principality was active in the Mediterranean trade. As a frontier state between the declining Byzantine Empire and the growing Ottoman state, it had a monopoly in providing mercenary troops to rival Byzantine factions, and it also offered leadership to the ghazis (Muslim warriors) in their excursions into Byzantine lands. Mehmed Bey (reigned...