The JanissariesFrom the fifteenth to the sixteenth century, the janissaries were the scourge of Europe. With their martial music, their muskets and their drilled march, it seemed that no one could withstand them. Their loyalty to their corps was infinite as the Ottomans conquered the Balkans as far as the Danube, and Syria, Egypt and Iraq. They set up semi-independent states along the North African coast and even fought at sea. Their political power was such that even sultans trembled. Who were they? Why were they an elite? Why did they decline and what was their end? These are some of the questions which this book attempts to answer. It is the story of extraordinary personalities in both victory and defeat. 'An incredible book ... a tour de force' Middle East International 'Well written and lucid.' Muslim World Books Review 'Goodwin has done so much in his scholarly career to introduce a wide audience to Ottoman culture.' Financial Times |
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Abaza agha ahis Ahmet akıncıs Alemdar Alemdar Mustafa Pasha Anatolia appointed attack Balkans barracks battle Bayezit became Bektaşi Belgrade beylerbey Bosphorus boys Bursa Byzantine camp campaign cannon castle cavalry Çelebi Chief Vezir Christian command Constantinople court Davut death defeated dervishes devsirme Divan Edirne Efendi Egypt Enderun Kolej enemy fighting fire fleet force fortress garrison gate gazi governor Grand Vezir guns Hippodrome horses household Hungarian Ibrahim Pasha Inalcık Islam Istanbul janissary corps kadı kapudan pasa Kara Hüseyn Pasha Köprülü levy London Mahmut Mamluk marched Mehmet II Mehmet Pasha military ministers mosque Murat Murat III Murat IV Muslim Mustafa IV Mustafa Pasha mutineers Odalar officers orta Osman Ottoman army Ottoman Empire palace Persian provinces rebels recruits reforms revolt royal saray Selim Selim III senior sent seyhülislam Shi‘ite Sinan Pasha sipahis sixteenth century slaves Sokollu soldiers Süleyman tents trained troops Turkish Türkmen ulema Valide Sultan Venetian victory