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Godfrey Goodwin
ISBN: 9780863567407
Format: Paperback
Publisher:Saqi Books
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From the fifteenth to the sixteenth century, the janissaries were the scourge of Europe. 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 the janissaries? 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.
From 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. 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? To answer these questions, the book begins by exploring the origins of the Janissary corps with the careful selection of youths from Christian families in the Balkans. It then introduces the pillars of the Ottoman state which these recruits were to serve, and depicts the victorious years of this elite corps.
| ISBN | 0863567401 | | Volumes | 1 | | ISBN13 | 9780863567407
(What's this?) | | Weight (grammes) | 345 | | Publisher | Saqi Books | | Published in | London | | Imprint | Saqi Books | | Series title | Saqi Essentials | | Format | Paperback | | Height (mm) | 210 | | Publication date | 04 Apr 2006 | | Width (mm) | 135 | | DEWEY | 956.015 | | Spine width (mm) | 16 | | DEWEY edition | DC22 | | Academic level | Undergraduate | | Pages | 288 | |
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| 1 | | The origins of the janissary corps | | 19 | | 2 | | The Devsirme or Christian levy | | 32 | | 3 | | Pillars of the empire | | 55 | | 4 | | The Ottoman armed forced | | 65 | | 5 | | The victorious years | | 110 | | 6 | | The great campaign | | 130 | | 7 | | Fish stink from the head | | 143 | | 8 | | Sharp eyes and long legs | | 168 | | 9 | | Tulips and turmoil | | 184 | | 10 | | The auspicious event | | 214 |
'An incredible book... a tour de force.' Middle East International 'Well written and lucid.' Muslim World Books Review  Be the first to write a customer review
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