Azeb
Military of the Ottoman Empire |
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Azebs, azabs, or azaps (
History
Azebs were originally an auxiliary infantry unit harkening back to
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
Azebs were recruited in accordance with the
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
References
- ISBN 978-1-4381-1025-7.
- ^ a b c d e f g Stein, Mark L. (2007). Guarding the Ottoman Frontiers. Tauris Academic Stuides. pp. 75–78.
- JSTOR 23682672.
- ^ "Azeb". TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-01-08.
- ^ a b c Hegyi 2018, p. 134–137.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Nicolle 1983, p. 13.
- ^ Nicolle 1983, p. 32.
- ^ 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. ISBN 978-3-87997-467-2.