Azeb

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An archer of the Turkish Galleys - Azab

Azebs, azabs, or azaps (

Ottoman army.[1][2][3] The word azeb either often indicates a light infantry soldier which was called yaya azeb or a marine soldier which was called bahriye (navy) and deniz (sea) azeb.[2] The term was used in the sense of "pirate" or "buccaneer" in Byzantine, Latin, and Italian sources from the 14th to 16th centuries.[4]

An azeb holding a gun with his left hand and carrying a sabre with his right hand

History

Azebs were originally an auxiliary infantry unit harkening back to

Beylik of Aydın.[2]

According to Stein (2007), by the 14th[a] century azebs garrisoned in strongholds were called kale (fortress) azebs. Azebs in fortresses had duties such as building bridges, working as sappers and doing the job of armorers, especially after conscription of devshirme armorers stopped.[6] They usually comprised most of the garrison in smaller forts and palankas.[2][5]

In the Ottoman Empire the main role of Azaps were fighting as infantry archers on front lines before the cannons and Janissaries,[2] After azebs slowed down the initial enemy charge, they would withdraw to left and right, and let the Ottoman cannons and janissaries fire at them.[7]

Recruitment

An azeb carrying a saber, which is attached to his belt, and a bow around his neck along with a quiver under his left arm.

Azebs were recruited in accordance with the

kanunnames (law code) of the Suleiman I. Kadıs oversaw draft of the azebs at a local level, called sancak. One man was levied from every 20-30 households whilst others supported him financially. The azaps were initially only recruited from Anatolian Turks, and, then Rumelia. Azebs garrisoned in forts were regularly paid.[8][2] In the late 16th century all Muslim men could enlist.[citation needed
]

Organization

Their official name -as generally appeared in pay lists- was rüesa ve azeban. The word reis (in plural rüesa) referred to head or captain of a ship in maritime or chief of a medium-sized unit consisting of kale azebs. Kale azebs were divided into ağalıks which were commanded by ağas and their aides kethüdas. These were subdivided into cemaats or riayets (a company consisting of 3 or 4 squads) which were led by reises.[9]

Equipments

As volunteers the azaps had a wide range of weaponry. These include pole arms, such as the tirpan (war scythe) and harba as well as balta (halberd). In addition to pole arms they were armed with a variety of maces, bows, sabers, and to a rarer extent crossbows. Later on guns were adopted instead. Azebs also wore red börks, a felt hat like the ones worn by janissaries but in different colours.[2]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Other sources state that kale azebs emerged in the 15th[5] or 16th[6] century.

References

  1. .
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Stein, Mark L. (2007). Guarding the Ottoman Frontiers. Tauris Academic Stuides. pp. 75–78.
  3. JSTOR 23682672
    .
  4. ^ "Azeb". TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  5. ^ a b c Hegyi 2018, p. 134–137.
  6. ^ a b Akto, Deniz Armağan. "Ottoman Fortresses and Garrisons in the Hungary and Eastern Frontiers (1578-1664)" (PDF). p. 55. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-01-22. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  7. ^ Nicolle 1983, p. 13.
  8. ^ Nicolle 1983, p. 32.
  9. ^ Hegyi 2018, p. 134-137.

Bibliography

  • Nicolle, David (1983). Armies of the Ottoman Turks 1300-1774. Osprey Publishing.
  • Hegyi, Klára (2018). The Ottoman Military Organization in Hungary: Fortresses, Fortress Garrisons and Finances. .
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