Empire of the White Sheep Turks

Starting Resource: 34 -- From Land: 30 -- From Trade: 4 Capital Territory: Baghdad Nation Class: Medium Total Starting Military Infantry: 8 Cavalry: 7 Knights: 0 Artillery: 0 Generals: 1 Merchantmen: 1 Frigates: 1 Ships of the Line: 0

Click on the map to view your nation's position and starting troops

The Akkoyunlu or the White Sheep Turkomans were a Turkoman tribal federation that ruled present-day Azerbaijan, eastern Anatolia, northern Iraq and western Iran from 1378 to present (1483). According to chronicles from the Byzantine Empire, White Sheep Turkomans were present in Anatolia since at least 1340, and most White Sheep Turkoman leaders, including the dynasty's founder, Kara Osman, married Byzantine princesses. The White Sheep Turkomans officially first acquired land in 1402, when Tamerlane granted them all of Diyar Bakr, in northern Iraq. For a long time, the White Sheep Turkomans were unable to expand their territory, as the rival Black Sheep Turkoman kept them at bay. However, this changed with the rule of Uzun Hasan, who defeated the Black Sheep Turkoman leader, Jihan Shah, in 1467. After the defeat of a Timurid leader, Abu Sai'd, Uzun Hasan was able to take Baghdad, along with territories around the Persian Gulf. He expanded into Iran as far east as Khorasan. However, around this time, the Ottoman Empire sought to expand eastwards, a serious threat that forced the White Sheep Turkomans into an alliance with the Qaramanids of central Anatolia. As early as 1464, Uzun Hasan had requested military aid from one of the Ottoman Empire's strongest enemies, Venice, however, despite Venetian promises, this aid never arrived, and as a result, Uzun Hasan was defeated by the Ottomans at Tercan in 1473, though this did not destroy the White Sheep Turkomans. At the start of play in 1483 the White Sheep Turk army is weak, not having yet recovered from its previous defeat by the Ottomans. The White Sheep Turks biggest threat is the Ottoman Empire, followed directly by Egypt. Herat on its far border is less of a threat, but a border that needs to be secured regardless. The White Sheep Turks best defense is to forge an alliance with either the Ottomans or Egypt. Visit the 1483 Discussion Forums to chat about the Empires of the White Sheep Turks.